The Mercury Prize put the spotlight on an introverted artist on Tuesday. London rapper Little Simz has won the prestigious award for her album Sometimes I Might Be Introverted, during a ceremony in the legendary Apollo concert hall in the Hammersmith district. Created in 1992 as an alternative to the Brit Awards, the award is seen as a seal of approval from critics and a stepping stone to greater notoriety. It consecrates the best British or Irish album of the last twelve months.
Very moved, the 28-year-old artist declared herself “completely fulfilled” by receiving the prize endowed with 25,000 pounds (28,700 euros), and paid tribute to her brother and collaborator Inflo. “We created this album together. There were times in the studio where I didn’t know if I was going to finish this record. I felt all the emotions, I was all in and he stayed by my side and pushed me to achieve my goals.
Litlle Simz ahead of favorite Harry Styles
In this fourth album, Little Simz, whose real name is Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, explores personal and political themes. She also explained to Guardian wanting to express his feeling “of being an introverted person who has all these crazy thoughts, ideas and theories in his head, and who doesn’t always feel like he can express them except through art “.
Little Simz therefore won to the detriment of big favorites like Harry Styles, whose album one direction has been the top seller since early 2022 in the UK. Already Brit Award-winning Sam Fender was another favorite for his second album Seventeen Going Underwhich tackles the issue of social inequality in its region of North East England.
Pop, folk and post-punk
Pop singer Self Esteem, ex-member of the group Slow Club, was also among the finalists for her album Prioritize Please which celebrates femininity. Folk singer Gwenno, whose album Treasure is sung mainly in Cornish, were also on this shortlist, as were indie duo Wet Leg, post-metallers Nova Twins and Scottish jazz band Fergus McCreadie.
Also among the finalists was guitarist Bernard Butler, already winner of the second Mercury Prize in history with the indie band Suede in 1993, this time for his collaboration with actress Jessie Buckley. Finally, this list was rounded out by post-punk band Yard Act, soul singer Joy Crookes and rapper Kojey Radical.