London rapper Dave was announced last night, (September 19) as the overall winner of the UK and Ireland’s 2019 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year.
The Awards Show was hosted by BBC Music’s Lauren Laverne and guest presenter, Annie Mac.
The event was held at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
Dave collected the winner’s trophy and then performed the track Psycho from the winning album Psychodrama to a standing ovation.
“Psychodrama is a moving, musically sophisticated work that tackles complex themes of identity, class, relationships and politics and demands total attention from the listener.”
The judging panel
The judging panel said: “Psychodrama is the musical equivalent of a literary masterpiece: a conceptual album about Dave’s experience of growing up in South London, structured in the form of a therapy session, which takes a deeply personal story and gives it universal relevance.
“Psychodrama is a moving, musically sophisticated work that tackles complex themes of identity, class, relationships and politics and demands total attention from the listener.
“It will have lasting relevance for a generation and underlines the importance of the album as an art form, making it the perfect winner of the 2019 Hyundai Mercury Prize.”
“At a time when so many artists are better known for the one off tracks they release, Dave has pushed the boundaries with Psychodrama showing what the album format is capable of in 2019.”
Mike Smith, Warner Chappell Music
In a memo to staff, Mike Smith, UK MD of Dave’s publisher Warner Chappell Music, said: “Dave is one of the most important songwriters in the UK today and it’s an honour to represent his music.
“At a time when so many artists are better known for the one off tracks they release, Dave has pushed the boundaries with Psychodrama showing what the album format is capable of in 2019.
“His poetry has never shied away from the biggest issues of our times and he continues to be the most ambitious songwriter out there.
“I know that we can expect more exceptional music from Dave in the near future, but for now join me in congratulating him on this fantastic win.”Music Business Worldwide
