Raye wins the Mercury Prize 2026: “Hope is just something that we all need. Music is medicine”
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for ‘This Music May Contain Hope’, using her acceptance speech to say that hope is something everyone needs and that “music is medicine”. The award recognises an album she said was shaped by her belief in albums and her wish to make expansive, indulgent songs.
The ceremony was held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 22 October and hosted by Lauren Laverne. Raye’s album reached Number One and beat a shortlist including Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Dave and Florence + The Machine, as well as the ‘Help(2)’ compilation. She performed ‘I Hate The Way I Look Today’ and is due to play the album in full with an orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.
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In short
- Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for ‘This Music May Contain Hope’.
- She described music as medicine and said everyone needs hope.
- The ceremony took place in Newcastle, with Raye set to play the album at the Royal Albert Hall.
How this story developed
- 40 minutes ago Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her album ‘This Music May Contain Hope’, taking the award at a ceremony in Newcastle.
- 44 minutes ago Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for ‘This Music May Contain Hope’, using her acceptance speech to say that hope is something everyone needs and that “music is medicine”.
Explained simply
The Mercury Prize is an annual UK award for the best album released by an act from the UK or Ireland. Judges choose a shortlist from a wide range of music, then name one winner; the award can bring attention to artists and albums beyond the charts.
Raye is a British singer and songwriter whose album ‘This Music May Contain Hope’ reached Number One in the UK. The Mercury Prize shortlist also included established musicians and newer acts, so the award places her work in a wider field of contemporary British and Irish music.