The nominees for the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize Album of the Year have been announced and some of the UK’s finest talent have made the shortlist!
The nominations for the prestigious award were revealed this morning by presenter Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 6 Music.
During the show, it was announced the legend that is Ghetts has been recognised for his efforts with his Conflict Of Interest album which debuted at Number 2 in the charts back in February.
Also nominated is newcomer BERWYN whose 2020 project DEMOTAPE/VEGA is the first ever mixtape to receive a nod by the awards show.
“I just feel like my dream is continuing, this weird dream I’m gonna wake up from any minute now,” said BERWYN, who made the tape in “an absolute s**thole, renting a room in a bedsit [in east London].”
“I had the bare minimum in terms of equipment, the worst you can find, I didn’t even have a pair of working headphones. It just came out of blood, sweat and tears; out of the overwhelming need to get out of the situation.”
Ghetts and BERWYN are up against the likes of Arlo Parks, Celeste, Laura Mvula and more.
This year’s judges said: “It is testament to the strength of British music that, during a year which saw musicians face the toughest challenges of their lives, so many remarkable albums came out nonetheless. There was an embarrassment of riches for this year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize judges to choose from, but the final twelve show how diverse, vibrant and far-reaching British music continues to be.
“Choosing one winner out of twelve albums that bring so much hope for the future will be a challenge indeed.”
The Mercury Prize is a celebration of the best in British music and acknowledges talent from a range of different genres. Previous winners include Dave, Skepta, Dizzee Rascal, Sampha, Dizzee Rascal and Ms. Dynamite.
The winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize will be announced when the awards ceremony takes place on 9th September at Eventim Apollo.
Check out the full list of nominees below.
The 2021 Mercury Prize Shortlist
Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
Berwyn – Demotape/Vega
Black Country, New Road – For the First Time
Celeste – Not Your Muse
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra – Promises
Ghetts – Conflict of Interest
Hannah Peel – Fir Wave
Laura Mvula – Pink Noise
Mogwai – As the Love Continues
Nubya Garcia – Source
Sault – Untitled (Rise)
Wolf Alice – Blue Weekend