Michael Kiwanuka wins 2020 Mercury Prize

The Mercury Prize is awarded to the best British Album of the Year and is usually handed out during an event featuring performances from nominees, but due to coronavirus restrictions, the winner was announced live on the BBC's The One Show by Radio One presenter Annie Mac on 24 September.

According to official stats, the show enjoys a total viewership of more than 3 million viewers, which means that Kiwanuka will hugely benefit from the exposure. He won the award on his third attempt after he was nominated for his previous albums Home Again (2012) and Love & Hate (2016). 

Kiwanuka's eponymous album was released in November last year and peaked at No 2 on the British charts after receiving rave reviews. The Guardian described it as "one of the greatest albums of the decade."

"I don't even know what to say – I'm speechless," Kiwanuka said. "This is amazing. I don't even have any words. This is ridiculous, it's crazy! I'm so happy. Third time's a charm. It's blown my mind. I'm over the moon, I'm so excited – this is for art, for music, for albums. 

"This is the only thing I've ever wanted to do, so to win a Mercury is a dream come true. I'm so happy. Music and art mean so much to me, and this is an award that celebrates that, so I'm over the moon."

The judging panel said in a statement: "Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka is the well-deserved winner of the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize 2020 for Album of the Year. Classic yet contemporary, drawing on the history of music while remaining an intensely personal work of self-expression, this is an album that will stand the test of time."

"Kiwanuka is not only complete work but also one that is borne of the courage of its creator to build his world and invite us in. Warm, rich, hugely accomplished and belonging to no one genre but its own, Kiwanuka is a masterpiece."

The folk-soul musician was shortlisted for the prize alongside 11 other nominees including popstars Dua Lipa and Charli XCX, grime stars Stormzy and Kano, and bands Sports Team, Porridge Radio, and Lanterns on the Lake. 

Kiwanuka is a former session musician who dropped out of the Royal Academy of Music to become a solo artist. He first came to attention after supporting British singer Adele on her 2011 tour and after winning the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll.