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Raye wins 2026 Mercury Prize, beating Paul McCartney and Olivia Dean
It is her second Mercury nomination after My 21st Century Blues in 2023. The ceremony at Newcastle's Utilita Arena saw her top a shortlist that included Dave, Jade and Florence + The Machine.
Key takeaways
- Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize on Thursday, 22 October, for her second album, This Music May Contain Hope.
- The ceremony took place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne; the prize carries a trophy and £25,000, according to RTÉ and Stereogum.
- She beat a 12-album shortlist that included Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Jade, Dave and Florence + The Machine.
- It was her second Mercury nomination, after My 21st Century Blues was shortlisted in 2023.
Raye wins the Mercury Prize: what happened
Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope on Thursday, 22 October, at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. The British singer-songwriter's second album beat a 12-album shortlist that included Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Jade, Dave and Florence + The Machine.
The ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne, according to NME. It was the second year the event was held in Newcastle after moving from London in 2025. Raye performed "I Hate The Way I Look Today" during the show and closed the night with the same song after her win, NME reported.
In her acceptance speech, Raye said: "Hope is just something that we all need, and music is medicine," as quoted by RTÉ. Speaking to NME afterwards, she called the win "the best birthday present I could have asked for," as her birthday falls in the same week.
The 2026 shortlist
Twelve albums made the shortlist. Before the ceremony, Olivia Dean and Nia Archives were reported to be joint favourites.
| Artist | Album |
|---|---|
| Raye (winner) | This Music May Contain Hope |
| Dave | The Boy Who Played The Harp |
| Dove Ellis | Blizzard |
| Florence + The Machine | Everybody Scream |
| Jade | That's Showbiz, Baby! |
| Knats | A Great Day In Newcastle |
| Kojey Radical | Don't Look Down |
| Nia Archives | Emotional Junglist |
| Olivia Dean | The Art Of Loving |
| Paul McCartney | The Boys Of Dungeon Lane |
| Suede | Antidepressants |
| Various artists (War Child) | Help(2) |
Source: Stereogum and RTÉ, 22 October 2026.
What we know and what we don't know yet
What we know: the winner, the album, the venue and the prize money are confirmed by several outlets. The judging panel, chaired by Jeff Smith, praised "the scale, structure, ambition, and sheer charm" of the record, according to Stereogum. NME reported that Raye was due to perform the album in full with an orchestra at London's Royal Albert Hall the following night.
What we don't know yet: there are no official figures yet on any sales or streaming lift after the win. Past Mercury winners have often seen renewed chart interest, but any effect on this album has not been reported. Some coverage has described the record as a rare pop winner; that historical comparison has not been confirmed by the organisers.
Background: Raye's road to the prize
This Music May Contain Hope was released in March 2026 and mixes jazz, soul and pop, RTÉ reported. Singles include "Click Clack Symphony" with Hans Zimmer, "I Know You're Hurting", "Nightingale Lane" and "Where Is My Husband!". The album gave Raye her first UK number one; her debut, My 21st Century Blues, had peaked at number two.
Raye released that debut independently after a public dispute with her former major label. In 2024 she set a record for the most BRIT Awards won by an artist in a single year, with six, according to NME. She told NME that "persistence and relentlessness" are required in the industry, "especially being independent." Last year's Mercury Prize went to Sam Fender for People Watching.
For more arts and culture coverage, see our guides to the Booker Prize shortlist, Nobel laureate Anne Carson and the Prix Marcel Duchamp 2026, plus music news on U2's Latin America tour.
What it means
The win confirms Raye as one of the most recognised British artists of her generation, and it is a notable result for an independent release in a year when the shortlist also featured a former Beatle. The Mercury Prize is judged on the album as a whole, and Raye used her speech to argue for the album format in a singles-driven industry. Her Royal Albert Hall show and any chart movement in the coming days will be the next measures of the prize's impact.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 Mercury Prize?
Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize on Thursday, 22 October 2026, for her second album, This Music May Contain Hope. The ceremony was held at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne.
How much money does the Mercury Prize winner get?
The winner receives a trophy and £25,000, according to RTÉ and Stereogum.
Who else was shortlisted for the 2026 Mercury Prize?
The shortlist included Dave, Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, Jade, Knats, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, Suede and the War Child compilation Help(2).
Has Raye been nominated for the Mercury Prize before?
Yes. Raye was first shortlisted in 2023 for her debut album, My 21st Century Blues. The 2026 win came with her second nomination.
Sources
- RTÉ: Raye wins Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope
- NME: Raye wins the Mercury Prize 2026
- NME: Raye on the "best birthday present" of her Mercury Prize win
- Stereogum: Raye's This Music May Contain Hope wins Mercury Prize
- ITV News Tyne Tees: RAYE wins Mercury Prize 2026
- Newcastle City Council: Mercury Prize 2026 shortlist announced
- Mercury Prize on X: winner announcement
