Women dominate the BBC’s list of rising artists tipped for success in its annual tastemaker poll. Flamenco star Rosalía, south London rapper Flohio and British R&B success Ella Mai appear on the BBC Sound of 2019 longlist.

Six of the 10 nominees are female. London songwriter Grace Carter is signed to the same management company as Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey. King Princess, AKA Mikaela Straus, is a 19-year-old queer pop songwriter from New York City with a fan in Harry Styles.

Ella Mai and Birmingham singer Mahalia represent the rise of pure R&B in the UK. Mai made headlines this year as the first British artist to top the US R&B charts with her single Boo’d Up since Lisa Stansfield in 1992. The song peaked at No 52 in the UK Top 40. It was recently nominated for two Grammy awards, including song of the year.

Of the four male artists on the list, two represent the diversification of UK rap following the commercial resurgence of grime a few years ago. Drake has supported London rapper Octavian, and Northampton’s Slowthai has become known for his riotous live performances in which he strips to his boxers.

Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy has been compared to Rag’n’Bone Man, while all-male London four-piece Sea Girls are the only band on the list.

The top five artists will be revealed from 7 January, with the winner revealed on 11 January. The 10-strong long list has shrunk from 15 in previous years.

The prize celebrates musicians who have not been the lead artist on a UK Top 10 single or album by 22 October 2018. Artists who have appeared on TV talent shows within the last three years are also ineligible.

Now in its 17th year, the prize is voted for by 136 critics. Artists including 50 Cent, Adele, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith and Years & Years have previously won the prize. Norwegian pop star Sigrid won in 2018.

BBC Sound of 2019 longlist:

• Dermot Kennedy

• Ella Mai

• Flohio

• Grace Carter

• King Princess

• Mahalia

• Octavian

• Rosalía

• Sea Girls

• Slowthai