The north London-born singer collected the award and the £25,000 (€29,400) prize for his fourth studio album Konnichiwa at a prize-giving ceremony at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
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The Pulp star said: “We as a jury decided, are you listening?”
Released back in May, the grime artist fought off competition from Laura Mvula, David Bowie, Michael Kiwanuka, Radiohead and the 1975 – who were the winners of the newly-introduced fan vote, to succeed last year’s victor, Benjamin Clementine, who took home the gong for his debut, “At Least For Now”. I don’t know what’s happening!
The star of Dexter and Six Feet Under will soon be seen in London in the lead role in Bowie’s musical – also called Lazarus – which premiered in NY shortly before his death.
“I’m just so thankful”, said Skepta in an interview with BBC Music after his win.
“Lastly, my mum and dad. and all my friends mums and dads. So to all the kids: I want you to be free, be strong – you’re right, and just do you”.
Also in the running for the Mercury Prize were albums by soul singers Laura Mvula and Michael Kiwanuka and by two artists from Britain’s grime music scene, Kano and Skepta.
The win caps a momentous year for grime music which has seen a resurgence since Dizzee Rascal won the Mercury Prize in 2003.
Skepta seemed in shocked when he won the Mercury Prize for 2016 but his mum was delighted.
The majority of shortlisted acts performed at the event, and fans took to Twitter to debate who would pick up the sought after industry gong.
Actor Michael C. Hall, star of TV series Dexter and of Bowie-created stage show Lazarus, performed a haunting tribute to the pioneering musical icon at the ceremony combined with videos of Bowie.
He told the Press Association: “I have just so much gratitude to be asked to do this”. I said “yeah maybe”.
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For the first time an online vote will allow music fans to pick the first of the final six, with the remainder selected by a judging panel that includes DJ Annie Mac and former Mercury Prize victor Jarvis Cocker.
