Mercury Prize 2019: Dave wins for acclaimed debut album Psychodrama
Winner was announced by Annie Mac at a London ceremony that hosted performances by the shortlisted artists
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Dave has been announced as the winner of this year’s Mercury Prize 2019.
The Streatham, London-born rapper received the award for his debut album Psychodrama, which was released on 8 March 2019.
At 21, Dave is one of the youngest winners in Mercury Prize history. The youngest was Dizzee Rascal, who received the award in 2003 aged 19, for his debut Boy in Da Corner.
In his acceptance speech, Dave said: “I don’t know what to say. I want to thank god, I want to invite my mum up on stage. I want to thank everyone that made this happen, all the exceptional musicians that performed tonight.
“I did not expect this... I wanna thank my brother Christopher who inspired this album, this is your story... I’m so grateful thank you so much.”
In its five-star review of the album The Independent said: “A talented pianist as well as a rapper and singer, Dave often spits over discordant chords to amplify the urgency of his chosen subject, or else raps in gruff, assertive tones across an emotional sequence that complements his stoic intensity.
“On “Environment”, he talks about the conflict between what people see of his apparently glamorous life, and the reality behind the scenes where the blood and sweat is drawn out of him. He’s put everything into this album.”
Dave made his acting debut in the third series of Top Boy, which was released in September 2019 on Netflix. He appeared at Glastonbury Festival in June, performing with headliner Stormzy and also for his own set on the Other Stage.
Albums by British and Irish artists with a UK release date between 21 July 2018 and 19 July 2019 were eligible for nomination, with more than 200 submitted.
The judges for this year’s prize were: BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Clara Amfo, Danielle Perry (broadcaster & writer), Gaz Coombes, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith (head of music, 6 Music & Radio 2), Jorja Smith, Mike Walsh (head of music, Radio X), Phil Alexander (creative director, Kerrang!/contributing editor, Mojo), Stormzy, Tshepo Mokoena (editorial director, Vice.com), Will Hodgkinson (chief rock & pop critic, The Times). The chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.
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