It’s a proud moment for the grime community as Skepta takes home the honour of the 2016 Mercury Prize.
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Pulp star Jarvis Cocker announced the victor during the ceremony at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, and noted Bowie himself would have wanted Skepta to take the honour.
Sure, there are those who would have liked to have seen a posthumous recognition for David Bowie, whose final album Blackstar was shortlisted. First I want to thank everybody who helped me put together the Konichiwa album.
He said: “I’m happy that it’s happening at this stage in my life”.
The 33-year-old won for Konnichiwa beating albums released by Radiohead, Michael Kiwanuka and David Bowie.
Last year’s victor of the £25,000 prize was poet Benjamin Clementine.
The bookies favourite to win was Bowie, who would have been the first artist to win the prestigious prize posthumously.
He said he hoped the win would introduce grime to an even wider audience, adding: “I want to inspire freedom, not just in music, not just in grime”.
Tonight’s ceremony marked the 25th edition of the award.
But another added: “I hope someone has the balls to vote Skepta as the mercury prize victor”.
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.
Laura Mvula, Kano, Bat For Lashes and Savages were among the other nominees.
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The awards ceremony saw several incredible performances, including an emotional rendition of the title song of David Bowie’s musical Lazarus, sung by Michael C Hall, the musical’s lead.
