Yahoo News Mercury Prize 2019 reveals Top Boy star as winner live on BBC
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This year's Mercury Prize winner has been announced live on the BBC.
Lauren Laverne and Annie Mac revealed on BBC Four's coverage from the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith that rapper and Top Boy star Dave won the coveted music industry award for his critically-acclaimed album Psychodrama.
The 21-year-old Londoner brought his mum up on stage to celebrate this hugely defining moment in his career.
"I did not expect this. I respect all you [nominees]... I am so, so happy to be in you guys' company. Everyone that's here. I want to thank god, my mum, my friends."
Dave went on to dedicate the Prize to his brother, whose prison convictions partially inspired Psychodrama.
"Even though you can't be with us today, I know you're watching this and I'm so grateful," the musician said.
While Dave is best known for his music, he also stars as drug-dealing power-player Modie in Netflix's record-breaking third season of Top Boy.
Dave triumphed this year over a very competitive shortlist, where the genres spanned far and wide – from funk and jazz fusion to hip hop and power pop. Here's the full list of this year's shortlisted contenders:
Hunter by Anna Calvi
Schlagenheim by Black Midi
Reward by Cate Le Bon
Dogrel by Fontaines D.C.
Joy as an Act of Resistance by Idles
Nothing Great about Britain by Slowthai
Grey Area by Little Simz
Saturn by Nao
Driftglass by SEED Ensemble
A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships by The 1975
The winner is voted on by a panel of 12 independent music industry experts. Dave follows in the footsteps of previous Mercury Prize winners Ms Dynamite, PJ Harvey, James Blake, Skepta and Sampha.
Last year's ceremony caused considerable controversy when Lily Allen was forced to publicly deny that she broke down in tears when her album No Shame lost the Prize to Wolf Alice's Visions of a Life.
The Mercury Prize 2019 ceremony aired live on Thursday (September 19) on BBC Four from the Eventim Apollo.
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