RAYE awarded 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope

Last night (Thursday 22nd), the 2026 Mercury Prize ceremony took place at Newcastle's Utilita Arena for the second year in a row. The shortlist featured JADE, Olivia Dean, Florence + The Machine, Dove Ellis and more. Plus Paul McCartney, who received his first-ever Mercury Prize nomination. 

However, the star-studded night saw RAYE triumphant as she won the 2026 Mercury Prize award for 'Album of the Year'. Receiving the prestigious trophy from DJ Sian Eleri on behalf of the judging panel, the acclaimed singer showed her gratitude, saying, "First of all, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be holding this,” she said from the stage after collecting the prize. “I’m shaking, I’m jetlagged, I’m tired, I’m grateful, it’s all blurry."

"I’ve always banged on about how much I believe in albums,” she continued. “Albums are so important. And not to be bitter, because I feel like I’m mostly at peace with my past, you know?” – she said, referring to her previous record label battles – “but to come from a place where it’s all about singles and chasing the next thing, I just feel so grateful to be recognised."

The album, 'THIS MAY CONTAIN HOPE ', is RAYE's second studio album, which had 12 outstanding releases. Divided into four distinct musical sections, the ambitious album weaves jazz, soul, R&B, and classical orchestration with old-school Hollywood elegance and raw, real-world narrative storytelling. Praised for her artistic vision, RAYE also took to the stage that night, performing "I Hate The Way I Look Today",  earning a passionate standing ovation from the audience.

The night also included performances from other shortlisted contenders, creating another memorable ceremony. 

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