Little Simz is Mercury Prize 2022 winner!

Little Simz has won the Mercury Prize 2022 after her album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert saw competition from the likes of Sam Fender, Harry Styles and Wet Leg to take the winner at this year’s ceremony.

Simz was announced as the winner by Jamz Supernova and was presented with a trophy and check for £25,000 before the night’s party concluded Tuesday evening at the Eventim Apollo in London.

She was initially speechless when she took the stage, but then said, “Wow. I am very overwhelmed, I am very grateful.

“Glory to God – thank God; to my family here, my loved ones here.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the Mercury for this unbelievable, unbelievable price. I want my brother and close associate Inflo – Flo . to thank [has] knew me since I was so young, he stayed with me, we made this album together.

“There were times in the studio when I didn’t know if I was going to finish this record, I went through all the emotions… it stayed with me.”

She then praised the other nominees, adding: “You guys are all incredible, we’ve all made incredible albums, we’re all changing people’s lives with our music and that’s the most important thing, so this is real to us, you know what I’ say?’

The record was chosen because it was “accomplished and complex yet completely accessible”.

The jury said: ‘In a year that has been challenging to say the least, British and Irish music has blossomed more than ever.

That made it extremely difficult for the judges to pick an overall winner from the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ on the Mercury Prize 2022 with the FREE NOW shortlist, simply because they all had so much to offer.

“When it came down to it, the judges were so impressed with Little Simz’s ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ that everyone could get behind it. This successful and complex yet fully accessible album is the work of someone who constantly strives to push himself.

‘It deals with both personal and political themes, juxtaposing them with music that is as refined as it is varied. The Mercury Prize is all about shining a light on albums of lasting value and true artistry. ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ has both.’

Of the 12 shortlisted artists, 11 performed live at the ceremony, including Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler, Joy Crookes, Kojey Radical, Nova Twins, Self Esteem and Yard Act. to celebrate Harry’s nomination as he is currently on tour in the US.

The ceremony was originally scheduled to take place on September 8, but was postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth.