James Blake has beaten the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Rudimental and David Bowie to win the esteemed Barclaycard Mercury Prize. Overgrown, Blake’s second album has been awarded the prestigious prize.
The artist has previously been nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2011, for his debut self titled album James Blake, but this is the first time he’s won the award. His win follows indie-rockers Alt-J’s triumph last year with their debut album An Awesome Wave.
He also follows the likes of Primal Scream, Badly Drawn Boy, Elbow, Ms Dynamite, Roni Size, Antony & The Johnsons, and The xx, who have all won the prize. The ceremony, presented by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne, was held at London’s Roundhouse.
Bookie’s favourite Laura Mvula and electronic duo Disclosure were also nominated; but it was the eclectic songwriter who took home the £20,000 prize tonight.
