After what was a vintage year at the 2016 Mercury Prize awards, with Skepta picking up the much coveted award, this year’s shortlist looks to follow suit by continuing to celebrate to some of the biggest names in the scene.
It comes as almost no surprise that Stormzy’s number one debut album Gang Signs & Prayer is up for nomination, alongside friend and collaborator Ed Sheeran’s Divide which has sold well over two million copies. The lead single (which Stormz of course did a remix of), “Shape of You”, has amassed over one billion plays on Spotify.
J Hus’s debut Common Sense has also thankfully been nominated. The album is a unique amalgamation of several different genres and really embodies the essence of originality and creativity that is championed by the Mercury Prize.
One of the hardest vocalists of recent years, Sampha, has also been nominated, with UK hip-hop heir to the throne Loyle Carner making the cut with his debut release Yesterday’s Gone.
With nominees like this, there is no doubt that Mercury 2017 is most certainly going to be one not to miss.