RAYE Takes 2026 Mercury Prize for ‘This Music May Contain Hope’
WHO:
Billboard - RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize.
Variety - Singer-songwriter Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize; Variety identifies her as a Variety Hitmakers 2024 honoree.
Variety - Olivia Dean and Paul McCartney were among the artists Raye beat for the prize.
WHAT:
BBC - “This Music May Contain Hope” is described as an easy-going, soulful collection of love songs.
BBC - The album had already been named album of the year at the Brit Awards and the Mobos.
Pitchfork - RAYE beat Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Jade, Nia Archives and other artists for the prize.
Billboard - RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize with her album “This Music May Contain Hope.”
Variety - Raye won the Mercury Prize for Album of the Year with her second studio album, “This Music May Contain Hope.”
Variety - The Mercury Prize is intended to recognize music from the U.K.
WHERE:
Billboard - The prize was presented in Newcastle, England.
WHEN:
Billboard - The prize was presented on Thursday evening.
WHY:
BBC - The singer is widely expected to earn a Grammy nomination in the same category next month.
Variety - The Mercury Prize recognizes music from the U.K.
HOW:
Variety - Raye won the prize over Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, and other competitors.
(UPDATED October 23, 2026 02:17 UTC)
RAYE has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second studio album, “This Music May Contain Hope,” beating a field that included Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean, Jade and Nia Archives. The prize, which recognizes music from the U.K., was presented in Newcastle, England, on Thursday evening. The album is described as an easy-going, soulful collection of love songs. It had already been named album of the year at both the Brit Awards and the Mobos, giving it recognition at two other major music awards. The Mercury Prize adds another major honor for the singer-songwriter, who was also a Variety Hitmakers honoree in 2024. RAYE is widely expected to earn a Grammy nomination in the same category next month. Her Mercury win comes amid a competitive shortlist featuring established names and other artists.
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(UPDATED October 23, 2026 01:32 UTC)
RAYE has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second studio album, “This Music May Contain Hope.” The award, which recognizes music from the U.K., was presented in Newcastle, England, on Thursday evening. Raye beat a competitive field that included Olivia Dean, Sir Paul McCartney, Jade and Nia Archives, along with other artists. The prize honors Album of the Year, making Raye the winner for her latest full-length release. Her victory places the singer-songwriter among the recipients of one of the U.K.’s major music awards. Raye has also been recognized as a Variety Hitmakers honoree for 2024. The Mercury Prize result marks a high-profile outcome for an album that prevailed over work by established performers and fellow contemporary artists alike.
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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 23:09 UTC)
Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year, taking the honor with her second studio album, “This Music May Contain Hope.” The prize was presented in Newcastle, England, and recognizes music from the U.K. Raye’s win came ahead of a field that included Olivia Dean and Paul McCartney, along with other competitors. The singer-songwriter is also a Variety Hitmakers 2024 honoree. Her award recognizes the album as the year’s standout release among the Mercury Prize contenders. The result puts Raye among the latest artists to receive one of the U.K.’s major music honors. “This Music May Contain Hope” is the album that secured her the prize.