Raye Mercury Prize 2026 winner defied streaming trends with long tracks
Judges praised the scale and ambition of her second studio album after choosing her independent record over a star-studded 12-act shortlist.
British singer-songwriter Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize Album of the Year on Thursday night for her second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, taking home the £25,000 prize. BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne hosted the ceremony on October 22, 2026, at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Raye accepted the trophy from BBC Radio 1 broadcaster and DJ Sian Eleri, who presented the award on behalf of the judging panel. Earlier in the evening, Raye performed her track “I Hate The Way I Look Today” from the winning record, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
An emotional speech on stage
In an emotional acceptance speech reported by The Guardian, Raye expressed her disbelief after taking the top honor.
“I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be holding this. I’m shaking, I’m jet-lagged, I’m tired, I’m grateful!” Raye told the audience.
Speaking about the central theme of the album to reporters from Reuters and The Guardian, she explained the meaning behind the title: “Hope is a very cheesy word … but hope is just something that we all need.” She added, “Music is medicine, so I just hope as well that message comes across to anyone who needs it.”
Raye also spoke about remaining committed to long-form storytelling as an independent artist.
“Albums are so important, and not to be bitter, because I feel like I’m mostly at peace with my past, 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,” she said.
Addressing reporters from PA Wire and the Evening Standard, Raye discussed crafting the record on her own creative terms. “I’ve always banged on about how much I believe in albums,” she said. “I wanted to make seven minute songs.” She added, “I wanted to go to a big band section ‘there’, and do strings ‘there’, and, like, just be really indulgent.”
Why the judges chose her
The judging panel was chaired by Jeff Smith, head of music for BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music. The panel included industry figures and artists such as Jamie Cullum, Sophie Williams, MistaJam, Danielle Perry, and Afrodeutsche.
In an official statement reported by Music Week and Rolling Stone UK, the judges explained their decision.
“While the 12 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.”
The panel noted that “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 superb album will serve as a huge inspiration for years to come.”
Raye was selected from a shortlist of 12 albums that featured Dave, Florence + The Machine, Jade, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, and Sir Paul McCartney. McCartney sent a video message to the ceremony stating he was “chuffed” and “surprised” to receive a nomination for his album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane.
Amber Davis, senior vice president and head of A&R at Warner Chappell UK, celebrated the win in comments to Music Week: “Raye has created a fearless, authentic body of work that feels both timeless and completely her own. This Music May Contain Hope feels so relevant for the current climate that we live in and it’s wonderful to see her artistry recognised for a second time by the Mercurys. We’re delighted she’s taken the ultimate prize tonight. We couldn’t be prouder.”
What comes next
Released on March 27, 2026, through Human Re Sources, This Music May Contain Hope became Raye’s first UK number-one album. She was previously shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2023 for her debut, My 21st Century Blues, which went on to win six Brit Awards in 2024.
The ceremony was held in Newcastle for the second consecutive year, following Sam Fender’s win for People Watching at the same arena in 2025.
Raye will next take the stage on Friday, October 23, 2026, for a headline orchestral performance titled This Symphony May Contain Hope at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The individual voting tallies and private deliberations of the judges were not released by the Mercury Prize organizers.
