RAYE wins 2026 Mercury Prize with second album
This Music May Contain Hope earned the British singer the award at a ceremony in Newcastle, following an earlier nomination for her debut.
British singer RAYE has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, her second album. The ceremony was held at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, with Olivia Dean, JADE and Florence + The Machine among the other contenders.
The shortlist also included the War Child compilation Help (2) and Paul McCartney’s The Boys of Dungeon Lane. McCartney, aged 84, was nominated for the first time. The annual prize recognises an album by a British or Irish artist.
The jury praised RAYE’s combination of cinematic glamour and everyday experiences, saying the record crossed musical genres while exploring a young woman’s life and relationships. The album includes the single Where Is My Husband!
Accepting the prize, RAYE expressed gratitude for recognition of a full album rather than individual singles. Born Rachel Keen, she previously left her record label after accusing it of blocking her debut album’s release. She subsequently issued My 21st Century Blues independently in 2023.
That debut brought her an earlier Mercury nomination and led to six BRIT Awards in 2024, a record for wins in one year. In her acceptance speech in Newcastle, she also spoke about music’s healing role and her wish for the winning album’s message of hope to reach listeners who needed it.
