RAYE has been named the overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year’ at a ceremony broadcast live from Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, hosted by Lauren Laverne.

The singer-songwriter accepted the trophy from DJ Sian Eleri on behalf of the judging panel, then delivered a performance of her track “I Hate The Way I Look Today” that brought the audience to a standing ovation.

Her winning album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., beat out a diverse 12-album shortlist. Structured in four distinct musical sections, the record blends jazz, soul, R&B, and classical orchestration with old-school Hollywood elegance and grounded, real-world storytelling. The judges praised the scale, structure, and emotional depth of the project, describing it as proof of the album format’s enduring power in the streaming age and an inspiration for future generations.

The broadcast also featured performances from shortlisted artists including Florence + The Machine, JADE, Olivia Dean, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Suede, and Pulp. The 2026 shortlist additionally included works from Dave, Dove Ellis, Knats, Paul McCartney, and the War Child compilation HELP(2).

Organized with Newcastle City Council, the ceremony concluded a week of regional celebrations. The Mercury Prize Fringe hosted more than 30 events at local venues—listening parties, workshops, and film screenings—turning Newcastle into a hub of British and Irish musical culture.

BBC Music served as broadcast partner, with coverage on BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Sounds, BBC Four, and BBC iPlayer. RAYE joins a line of past winners that includes Sam Fender, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, and Little Simz.