Raye Wins Mercury Prize For This Music May Contain Hope
- British singer Raye won the annual £25,000 ($33,495) Mercury Prize on Thursday for her second studio album, “This Music May Contain Hope.” The 28-year-old chart-topper claimed the British...
- Judges commended the 73-minute record for its scale, structure, ambition and sheer charm, noting that the work blends jazz, orchestral pop, funk, and other genres.
- The Mercury Prize recognizes 12 albums released by British and Irish acts in the United Kingdom over the past year and is considered less mainstream than the BRIT...
British singer Raye won the annual £25,000 ($33,495) Mercury Prize on Thursday for her second studio album, “This Music May Contain Hope.” The 28-year-old chart-topper claimed the British music award at a ceremony held in Newcastle, beating a field of contenders that included veteran Paul McCartney, rock band Suede, and rapper Dave.
Judges’ Praise and Album Details
Judges commended the 73-minute record for its scale, structure, ambition and sheer charm,
noting that the work blends jazz, orchestral pop, funk, and other genres. Accepting the honor in the northern English city, Raye remarked, Hope is a very cheesy word … but hope is just something that we all need.
She added, Music is medicine, so I just hope as well that message comes across to anyone who needs it.
Shortlist and Competition
The Mercury Prize recognizes 12 albums released by British and Irish acts in the United Kingdom over the past year and is considered less mainstream than the BRIT Awards while remaining open to all music genres. This year’s shortlisted entries featured Paul McCartney for “The Boys of Dungeon Lane,” Suede for “Antidepressants,” and Dave for “The Boy Who Played The Harp.”
Other nominated acts included Olivia Dean for “The Art of Loving,” Jade for “That’s Showbiz Baby!,” Nia Archives for “Emotional Junglist,” Band Knats for “A Great Day In Newcastle,” Kojey Radical for “Don’t Look Down,” Dove Ellis for “Blizzard,” Florence + the Machine for “Everybody Scream,” and the various artists compilation album “Help (2)” for War Child. Last year’s prize was won by rocker Sam Fender for his third album, “People Watching.”