Grime artist Skepta has been announced as the victor of the Mercury Prize, the UK’s most prestigious music award. Even though the prestigious United Kingdom award had never before been given to an artist posthumously, Blackstar was the final and widely adored album from a British rock god.
Advertisement
The album was released on Skepta’s Boy Better Know record label which he co-founded with his brother JME in 2005 and was described by industry figures as “confident, funny, clever, scary, personal and political”. Speaking to the press at a winners conference after the awards ended, the unsigned grime MC said that the victory was proof that striking out on your own can prove fruitful, and urged other artists of all genres to follow in his footsteps.”It’s not a revolution for grime, it’s a revolution for freedom”, he said when asked what the victory meant to him and the scene he comes from. Skepta is the first grime artist to win since Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner won the award in 2003. “I just wanted to know what happens when you do it yourself”.
Also sending their congratulations from Stateside was One Dance hitmaker Drake, who shared a picture of the MC reacting to being announced the victor alongside a champion cup emoji and “BBK”, in reference to Skepta’s grime collective Boy Better Know. “Not just in music”.
A Bowie tribute was planned for the ceremony featuring a performance of his track Lazarus by Dexter star Michael C Hall, who is set to launch a Bowie stage production in London next month.
“We could have never imagined we’d be here nominated amongst some of the people that are nominated today. You can go any time which is the reason I said rest in peace to David Bowie“.
Advertisement
The grime artist, who takes home the £25,000 prize, beat bookie’s favourite David Bowie, as well as strong competition from Radiohead and The 1975. The nominees included Anohni, Bat for Lashes, Bowie, Jamie Woon, Kano, Michael Kiwanuka, Laura Mvula, Radiohead, Savages, Skepta, The 1975 and The Comet Is Coming. Last year Benjamin Clementine triumphed for his debut album At Least For Now.
