Google Tries to Predict the Biggest New Artists of 2016 Using Big Data

It’s that time of year again where we’re inundated with year-end best-of lists as well as predictions of which new artists will be big in the next 12 months.

We’ve already heard from the BBC with their short list for their Sound Of 2016 poll, something that’s entirely driven by humans. In the other corner, we have Google which has used the power of analytics (Google Play Music streams, YouTube Views, social media analysis and so on) to compile their list of artists for which we must watch next year. Let’s compare the two.

First, the BBC:

1. Alessia Cara
2. Billie Marten
3. Blossoms
4. Dua Lipa
5. Frances
6. Izzy Bizu
7. Jack Garratt
8. J Hus
9. Loyle Carner
10. Mabel
11. Mura Masa
12. NAO
13. Rat Boy
14. Section Boyz
15. WSTRN

Now Google

1. Frances
2. Jack Garratt
3. Clean Cut Kid
4. Aurora
5. Kali Uchis
6. Anne-Marie
7. Nao
8. Tink
9. Samm Henshaw
10. Vant

Bookmark this. By December 2, 2016, we’ll know which was better: man or machine.

(Via MBW)