Mercury Prize 2021: Arlo Parks wins
Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks has won the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize
Last updated 9th Sep 2021
London-based singer-songwriter Arlo Parks has been awarded the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2021 for her alternative debut album Collapsed In Sunbeams. The intimate and soulful album touches upon a variety of themes, including mental health, sexuality and hope.
Upon receiving the award, the 20-year-old artist was left "speechless", claiming "It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work to get here".
Saxophonist Nubya Garcia was among the nominees for her album SOURCE, alongside rising star soul singer Celeste for her debut record Not Your Muse.
SAULT, whose identities are largely unknown, was in contention for the award and were the bookies' favourite heading into the evening. Their work has gripped the music scene, with an instantly recognisable sound and their social commentary.
Also included in this year's nomination was the legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, who teamed up with British producer Floating Points and The London Symphony Orchestra for their album Promises.
Before the event, the judges for the 2021 awards said "The judges said ‘It is testament to the strength of British music that, during a year which saw musicians face the toughest challenges of their lives, so many remarkable albums came out nonetheless... Choosing one winner out of twelve albums that bring so much hope for the future will be a challenge indeed"
Mercury Prize 2021 nominees:
Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
Berwyn – DEMOTAPE/VEGA
Black Country New Road – For the First Time
Celeste – Not Your Muse
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises
Ghetts – Conflict of Interest
Hannah Peel – Fir Wave
Laura Mvula – Pink Noise
Mogwai – As the Love Continues
Nubya Garcia – Source
Sault – Untitled [Rise]
Wolf Alice – Blue Weekend
What is the Mercury prize?
The Mercury Prize is compared to the Turner Prize and Booker Prize for the British music industry.
The Prize is designed to celebrate and recognise both established and emerging artists from across the British music industry.
How was the Mercury Prize 2021 decided?
The Mercury Prize receives entries from across the British music industry, with a panel of judges from a variety of backgrounds creating a shortlist. The panel's shortlist and the winner is determined on the quality of the music on each album put forward.
The 2021 Mercury Prize judges are:
Anna Calvi – Musician & Songwriter
Annie Mac – Broadcaster & DJ
Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer
Gemma Cairney – Broadcaster & DJ
Hazel Wilde (from Lanterns on the Lake) - Musician & Songwriter
Jamie Cullum - Musician & Broadcaster
Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2
Michael Kiwanuka - Musician & Songwriter (winner of the Mercury Prize 2020)
Mike Walsh - Music Consultant
Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo
Tshepo Mokoena – Editorial Director, VICE.com
Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times.
The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.
When was the Mercury Prize 2021 be announced?
The Mercury Prize 2021 Awards show took place on Thursday 9 September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
Mercury Prize 2020
Soul singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka was awarded the 2020 Mercury Prize award for his third self-titled release - Kiwanuka.
Earmarked as the bookie's favourite for 2020, Kiwanuka landed the top spot, with other nominees including the Jazz FM Award-winning drummer Moses Boyd, Laura Marling, Dua Lipa and Stormzy.
Read more:
Jazz FM Awards 2021: Nominees announced
18 jazz albums you need to know about in 2021...
Celeste: Get to know the singer