RAYE Crowned 2026 Mercury Prize Winner for ‘This Music May Contain Hope’

RAYE has been crowned the overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize, taking home the coveted Album of the Year award at a star studded ceremony held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena and hosted by broadcaster Lauren Laverne.

The singer songwriter was presented with the prestigious trophy by DJ Sian Eleri on behalf of the judging panel before delivering a powerful performance of her song "I Hate The Way I Look Today." Her set earned a standing ovation from the audience.

Her winning album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., came out on top against 11 other shortlisted releases. Split into four distinct musical sections, the ambitious record blends jazz, soul, R&B and classical arrangements with the glamour of old Hollywood and deeply personal storytelling. The judges praised RAYE's artistic vision, highlighting the album's scale, structure and emotional depth as a reminder of the format's lasting importance in the streaming age. They also described her victory as an inspiration for the next generation of musicians.

The ceremony also featured performances from several shortlisted artists, including Florence + The Machine, JADE, Olivia Dean, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Suede and Pulp. The 2026 shortlist also included acclaimed releases from Dave, Dove Ellis, Knats, Paul McCartney and the War Child compilation HELP(2).

Organised in partnership with Newcastle City Council, the awards ceremony brought a week of musical celebrations across the region to a close. The accompanying Mercury Prize Fringe programme featured more than 30 events at local venues, including listening parties, workshops and exclusive film screenings, putting Newcastle at the heart of British and Irish music.

BBC Music provided extensive coverage of the event, with live radio broadcasts on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds, alongside television coverage on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer. RAYE now joins the prestigious list of previous Mercury Prize winners, following artists including Sam Fender, English Teacher, Ezra Collective and Little Simz.