Raye has gained the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second album This Music Could Include Hope. She clinched the award over competitors together with Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Florence and the Machine, Jade, and Nia Archives. It’s Raye’s first time successful the prize: her 2023 album My twenty first Century Blues additionally made the shortlist, however misplaced out to Ezra Collective.
Accepting the award throughout a ceremony in Newcastle, Raye mentioned: “Albums are so necessary, and to not be bitter–as a result of I really feel like I’m largely at peace with my previous–however to come back from a spot the place it’s all about singles and chasing the subsequent factor, I simply really feel so grateful to be recognised. Hope is a really tacky phrase, particularly for us British folks, we don’t do this deep stuff like that, however hope is one thing all of us want…so I hope that message comes throughout to anybody who wants it.”
Elsewhere within the ceremony, Raye carried out This Music Could Include Hope’s “I Hate The Means I Look Immediately” accompanied by a full huge band. Plenty of different nominees additionally took the staege: Jade carried out “Angel of My Desires” from That’s Showbiz, Child, Dean sang “Let Alone The One You Love,” and Florence and the Machine supplied a rendition of “One Of the Greats.” Pulp additionally took the stage to play “Begging for Change” off the Conflict Little one Data compilation Assist (2), which raised cash for kids residing in struggle zones.
