Raye wins the 2026 Mercury Prize for 'This Music May Contain Hope', beating Sir Paul McCartney on his first shortlisting

The 28-year-old, real name Rachel Keen, saw off Dave, Olivia Dean, Jade, Suede and Florence + the Machine at Newcastle's Utilita Arena. The win caps a comeback for a singer who in 2021 was publicly lashing out at her label for blocking a studio album. Judges hailed the 73-minute big-band record's 'scale, structure, ambition and sheer charm'. She takes home a trophy and £25,000.

Raye told the crowd that hope is 'a very cheesy word', but 'music is medicine.'

McCartney, 84, made the shortlist for the first time with 'The Boys of Dungeon Lane'.

Her debut 'My 21st Century Blues' still holds the record for most Brits in one night, with six.