The Mercury Prize 2016 shortlist has been announced. The rock pop The 1975 also made it for their album, “I like it when you sleep, for you are so handsome yet so unaware of it”. Two grime LPs made the cut – Skepta’s Konnichiwa and Kano’s Made in the Manor – as did records from Laura Mvula, the 1975, Anohni and more.
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The Chichester-born performer has identified as transgender since childhood and re-emerged this year as Anohni with Hopelessness, a protest album that uses techno beats to tackle issues such as drone warfare and environmental degradation.
The late singer heads a list of high-profile artists vying for the award, with albums by Radiohead, Skepta and The 1975 also nominated.
Bowie, who died in January aged 69, is among 12 finalists for the NZ$40,000 album of the year prize.
Numerous tweets shared on social media certainly range on the positive side following the announcement of the nominees.
The six finalists and the overall victor will be announced as part of the 2016 Awards Show, which will take place on Thursday 15th September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
Image courtesy of the Mercury Prize. It also marks a fifth time Radiohead have been nominated for the prize – will they prove triumphant this time?
Producer Tony Visconti described the record as Bowie’s “parting gift” to his fans.
The second studio album from Michael, Love & Hate was his first to hit Number 1, a feat made all the more special as it coincided with the 60 anniversary when the first ever Official Albums Chart was published.
The shortlist will be whittled down to six albums on the night of the awards, with one of those finalists selected by a public vote.
The awards will be held on September 6 at The Brewery in London. All five are nominated for their second albums and both Mvula and Savages were on the list for their debuts in 2013. The full list of nominees is below.
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All of the 12 long-listed artists (above) receive a specially commissioned ‘Album of the Year’ trophy, with the overall victor also receiving a coveted victor trophy.
