Raye receives 'best birthday present' as she lands 'really serious' Mercury Prize

Raye called winning the 2026 Mercury Prize “the best birthday present” as she took home the award on Thursday night (22.10.26) for her album This Music May Contain Hope. Speaking backstage at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, the 28-year-old singer-songwriter said she poured “so much passion and love for music” into the record and described her goal as making her most ambitious album yet, including “about four orchestras’ worth of musicians.” She beat nominees including Sir Paul McCartney, whose solo album The Boys of Dungeon Lane made the 12 Albums of the Year list. Other shortlisted artists included Dave (The Boy Who Played the Harp), Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, Nia Archives, Suede, Dove Ellis, JADE, Knats, Kojey Radical, and War Child Records’ collaborative project HELP(2).