RAYE ’s album This Music May Contain Hope has won the 2026 Mercury Prize , marking another feather in the cap of one of the UK’s brightest new stars.

The jazz and blues-influenced pop artist beat artists including soul singer Olivia Dean , rapper Dave, former Little Mix singer turned solo artist JADE, and Florence and the Machine .

The “Where Is My Husband!” artist born Rachel Keen also beat Sir Paul McCartney , who was shortlisted for the first time, aged 84, with his nostalgia-steeped record , The Boys of Dungeon Lane.

RAYE’s triumph signalled a rare win for a pop album, albeit one loaded with jazz, soul and R&B influences and a Hans Zimmer collaboration, as the Mercury Prize – which comes with a £25,000 cash prize – has typically favoured rock, indie, hip-hop or electronic music.

The judging team said in a statement: “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…