Raye has been awarded the 2026 Mercury Prize for the album This Music May Contain Hope. Each year, the prize honors a single album from the United Kingdom or Ireland, selected by an industry panel. The accolade includes a £25,000 cash award.
The panel commended the album’s expansive scope, intricate structure, bold ambition, and genuine charm, stating that Raye demonstrates remarkable imagination and breadth in redefining what an album can achieve, transcending any single genre to fulfill her artistic vision. The judges hailed the record as a lasting source of inspiration.
Other nominees this year included Dave with The Boy Who Played The Harp, Dove Ellis with Blizzard, Florence + the Machine with Everybody Scream, Jade with That’s Showbiz, Baby!, Knats with A Great Day In Newcastle, Kojey Radical with Don’t Look Down, Nia Archives with Emotional Junglist, Olivia Dean with The Art Of Loving, Paul McCartney with The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, Suede with Antidepressants, and Various artists with Help(2).
The ceremony was held at Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, featuring performances by the nominees. The previous year’s Mercury Prize was awarded to Sam Fender for People Watching.
The BBC reported that this year’s judging panel comprised Afrodeutsche, a composer and DJ who contributes to BBC Radio 3 and Radio 6; Danielle Perry, a broadcaster and musician; Jamie Cullum, a musician and BBC Radio 2 presenter; Lea Stonhill, a music‑programming consultant; MistaJam, a songwriter, DJ and broadcaster; Phil Alexander, creative director of Kerrang! and contributing editor for Mojo; Sian Eleri, a BBC Radio 1 presenter and DJ; Sophie Williams, a music writer and broadcaster; Will Hodgkinson, chief rock and pop critic for The Times; and Jeff Smith, head of music for BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music.
Raye performed during the evening, delivering a jazzy rendition of “I Hate The Way I Look Today.” Her performance can be viewed below.
Raye is preparing for her acting debut in Yann Demange’s thriller Lineage. It is hoped that the Mercury panel heard the final mix of her album.
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