Raye Wins 2026 Mercury Prize
She beat out Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Jade, Nia Archives, and more
On October 22, RAYE triumphed at the 2026 Mercury Prize ceremony held at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England. It marked her first win in the competition; her 2023 album, My 21st Century Blues, was also nominated. RAYE became the first solo female artist to claim the award since Little Simz in 2022. The shortlist included Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, and Dave, among others.
The winner was announced by BBC Radio 1 DJ Sian Eleri during the ceremony hosted by Lauren Laverne. The Mercury Prize celebrates outstanding achievement in albums across various genres, recognizing both established and emerging artists across the UK and Ireland. Since its inception in 1992, the award has honored albums like Primal Scream's Screamadelica (1992), Pulp's Different Class (1996), PJ Harvey's To Bring You My Love (2001, 2011), Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006), and more.
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