She beat out Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Jade, Nia Archives, and more

Raye (Getty Images)

Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second album This Music May Contain Hope . She clinched the award over competition including Sir Paul McCartney , Olivia Dean , Florence and the Machine , Jade , and Nia Archives . It’s Raye’s first time winning the prize: her 2023 album My 21st Century Blues also made the shortlist , but lost out to Ezra Collective.

Accepting the award during a ceremony in Newcastle, Raye said: "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.…