Raye announced as overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize Album of the Year

RAYE was announced tonight, Thursday 22 October, as the overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize in Newcastle for her album ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’.

Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the 2026 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of The Year’ Awards Show live from Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. A delighted RAYE received the trophy from Broadcaster & DJ Sian Eleri - presenting on behalf of the judging team - before performing the track ‘I Hate The Way I Look Today.’ from her  winning album to a standing ovation.

The judging team said “While the twelve albums shortlisted for 2026 Mercury Prize were wildly different, each one demonstrated how the album continues to be the ideal format for an artist or group wishing to get their artistic statement out into the world. We believe the album continues to have an important role to play in music in the age of streaming, which is why the judges felt the scale, structure, ambition and sheer charm of this year’s winner was the right choice for the 2026 Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year’.

‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’ by RAYE is suitably titled. Divided into four sections, the musical styles range from jazz to soul, R&B to classical. Shades of old school Hollywood glamour combine with kitchen sink realism to tell a story about a young woman navigating the everyday trials of life and love, on an album that is joyous and indeed hopeful. RAYE displays real imagination and scope in showing what an album can be, going beyond any one style or genre to realise her vision. The judges agreed that RAYE’S’s superb album will serve as a huge inspiration for years to come.”

The Awards Show featured live performances from many of the twelve shortlisted artists, including Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE, Suede and Pulp who performed on behalf of the HELP(2) album. Each played one track from their shortlisted album.

The Prize’s broadcast partner BBC Music provided coverage of the event with Deb Grant and Nathan Shepherd broadcasting live from Newcastle on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds, while BBC Four and BBC iPlayer showed the Awards Show from 9.30pm.

Each year, the shortlist is curated by an independent judging team of music industry professionals who are eternally passionate about spotlighting artistic achievement across a range of genres. The final decision on the overall winner is made on the night. The 2026 Mercury Prize judging team is: AFRODEUTSCHE - Composer, DJ & 6 Music & Radio 3 Unwind Broadcaster; Danielle Perry - Broadcaster (Absolute Radio & Jazz FM) & Musician; Jamie Cullum - Musician & Radio 2 Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, Radio 2 & 6 Music; Lea Brook – Music Programming Consultant; MistaJam – Songwriter, DJ & Broadcaster; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, MOJO; Sian Eleri – Radio 1 Broadcaster & DJ; Sophie Williams – Music Writer & Broadcaster; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times; The Chair of the judging team is Jeff Smith.

Following its biggest year yet in 2025, The Mercury Prize was hosted once again in Newcastle, in partnership with Newcastle City Council. Alongside the awards, the 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe also returned to the Toon this October with its biggest programme yet, bringing more than 30 events to venues across the city. Taking place from 15 - 22 October, the week-long Fringe transformed Newcastle into a celebration of music, with live performances, listening parties, screenings, workshops, talks and one-off events bringing together artists, music fans and the wider industry.

Highlights across the week included Sam Fender: Live at London Stadium Premiere at the Tyneside Cinema, Mini Mercury x First Gigs at The Grove, An Evening With Knats at the John Marley Centre, and so much more.

The Mercury Prize recognises the best new British & Irish music, celebrating artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres. As an independent arts prize, it champions the album format, acts as a snapshot of the year in music and often provides a major platform for up-and-coming artists and their musical work. The Prize has been an important milestone in past winners’ journeys, acting as a stepping stone to wider success in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.

Last year saw Geordie hero Sam Fender claim the Prize, and other recent past winners include English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Little Simz, Dave, Wolf Alice, Young Fathers, and more.

The 2026 Mercury Prize 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ are:

Dave - ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’

Dove Ellis - ‘Blizzard’

Florence + The Machine - ‘Everybody Scream’

JADE - ‘THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!’

Knats - ‘A Great Day In Newcastle’

Kojey Radical - ‘Don't Look Down’

Nia Archives - ‘Emotional Junglist’

Olivia Dean - ‘The Art of Loving’

Paul McCartney - ‘The Boys of Dungeon Lane’

RAYE - ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.’

Suede - ‘Antidepressants’

War Child Records - ‘HELP(2)’