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Raye Wins 2026 Mercury Prize for 'This Music May Contain Hope'
· Confirmed
In Short: British singer-songwriter Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her album 'This Music May Contain Hope', beating out strong competition including Sir Paul McCartney.
British singer-songwriter Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her album 'This Music May Contain Hope', beating out strong competition including Sir Paul McCartney, according to Aol (United Kingdom) and Billboard. The prize, established in 1992, is awarded annually to the best album by an artist from the UK or Ireland, as reported by Aol (United Kingdom) and the Irishtimes (Ireland).
Along with the trophy, Raye receives £25,000, as confirmed by Aol (United Kingdom) and the Irishtimes (Ireland). Sam Fender won last year’s prize for his album 'People Watching', according to Aol (United Kingdom) and the Standard (United Kingdom).
At the ceremony hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Lauren Laverne and announced by BBC Radio 1 DJ Sian Eleri, Raye expressed her gratitude, saying, 'I couldn't tell you how grateful I am to be holding this,' as quoted by the BBC (United Kingdom).
Raye's album, described as 'eccentric, kitsch and dramatic' by the BBC (United Kingdom), was praised for its maximalist approach and 'old-school show-tune razzle-dazzle' by Rolling Stone magazine. Far Out Magazine (United Kingdom) noted that the album eventually gives way to 'unbridled happiness, a zest for life, and the power of family'.
The album, which isn't exactly background music, as noted by Variety, has sold 144,757 units in the UK, according to the Official Charts Company, as reported by Musicweek. It topped the UK charts and contains the global hit 'Where Is My Husband!', as mentioned by The Guardian.
Raye, who has been shortlisted for the 2023 prize with her debut album 'My 21st Century Blues', 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.'
Since her last turn at the Mercury Prize, Raye has embarked on huge global tours, performed at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, and has scooped a mantelpiece worth of awards, including six BRIT Awards in 2024 and the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, as reported by Diymag.
The judges praised 'This Music May Contain Hope' for exploring myriad genres and for combining old-school Hollywood glamour with kitchen sink realism to tell 'a story about a young woman navigating the everyday trials of life and love, on an album that is joyous and indeed hopeful', as quoted by The-Independent.
Background
Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her album 'This Music May Contain Hope', beating out strong competition including Sir Paul McCartney.
This Music May Contain Hope is the second studio album by the British singer-songwriter Raye. It was released independently on 27 March 2026 through Human Re Sources.
What's confirmed
- Raye has won the Mercury Prize for her album This Music May Contain Hope beating rivals including Sir Paul McCartney, Jade and Olivia Dean.
- The prize, created in 1992, is awarded each year to the best album by an artist from the UK or Ireland.
- Along with a trophy, the winner of the Mercury Prize receives £25,000.
- Sam Fender won last year’s prize for his album People Watching.
- Raye is the 35th winner of the Mercury Prize, which was established to recognise albums that push the boundaries of music Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her show-stopping second album This Music May Contain Hope.
- Singer-songwriter Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, Variety reported on October 22.
- “I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be holding this. I’m shaking,” RAYE said as she accepted the prize.
What's still developing
- "I made this album not focusing on commercial [success], not focusing on making things cookie-cutter," said the 28-year-old.
- In the BBC's own review, it was described as an "eccentric, kitsch and dramatic" record where Raye "unapologetically goes for broke".
- Speaking backstage, the singer said she was overwhelmed by the success.
- "I'm shaking, I'm jet-lagged, I'm tired. It's all blurry."
- "Some of these songs are seven minutes. They're indulgent. They're maximalist."
- "And maybe, when I take a break over Christmas, I'll reflect on the sofa."
- "And it's easy to spend time wishing things were the other way. But right now, I certainly do not."
- In his five-star review of Blizzard in The Irish Times, Ed Power described the album from Dove Ellis as “urgent and stubborn, full of sharp edges and illuminated throughout by a refusal to compromise”.
- Raye speaks as she accepts the Mercury Prize 2026 for ‘This Music May Contain Hope’ in Newcastle (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage) Raye has been announced as the winner of the Mercury Prize 2026, sharing that she believes “music is medicine”.
- The announcement was made at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, with Raye among the performers on the night.
- Raye’s album topped fellow nominees Dave (for “The Boy Who Played the Harp”), Dove Ellis (“Blizzard”).
- Released via Human Re Sources and The Orchard (part of Sony Music), the chart-topping album has amassed UK consumption to date of 144,757 units, according to the Official Charts Company.