Little Simz wins the 2022 Mercury Prize for ‘Generally I May Be Introvert’

Little Simz has gained the 2022 Mercury Prize for her album ‘Generally I May Be Introvert’.

The London rapper was favorite to take the prize and beat off competitors from fellow favourites Self Esteem and Moist Leg at a reside ceremony on the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith tonight (October 18).

Accepting the trophy, she mentioned: “Wow, I’m very, very overwhelmed. I’m very grateful, glory to God. God thanks a lot.”

She additionally paid tribute to producer Inflo who labored on the album and mentioned there have been occasions within the studio when “I didn’t know if I used to be gonna end this report. I used to be feeling all of the feelings and actually going by way of it and he [producer Inflo] caught by me and pushed me to ship this album for you guys.”

The rapper earlier carried out a reside rendition of ‘How Did You Get Right here’ and carried out it for a second time after accepting the award.

Together with Self Esteem’s ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ and Moist Leg’s self-titled debut album, different nominees on the evening included Sam Fender‘s ‘Seventeen Going Beneath’, Yard Act’s ‘The Overload’, Kojey Radical‘s ‘Motive To Smile’, Gwenno‘s ‘Tresor’, Harry Kinds’ ‘Harry’s Home’, Nova Twins’ ‘Supernova’, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler‘s ‘For All Our Days That Tear The Coronary heart’, Pleasure Crookes‘ ‘Pores and skin’ and Fergus McCreadie‘s ‘Forest Ground’.

The judging panel mentioned: “In a yr that has, to place it mildly, offered moderately plenty of challenges, British and Irish music has thrived greater than ever. When it got here right down to it, the judges have been so impressed by ‘Generally I May Be Introvert’ by Little Simz that everybody might get behind it. This achieved and complicated but totally accessible album is the work of somebody striving continually to push herself. The Mercury Prize is all about shining a light-weight on albums of lasting worth and actual artistry. ‘Generally I May Be Introvert’ has each.”

Eleven of the 12 nominees have been lately confirmed to carry out reside at tonight’s ceremony with every artist performing one observe from their shortlisted album. Solely Harry Kinds was unable to attend, and as a substitute pre-recorded a particular reside efficiency of ‘As It Was’.

Moist Leg kicked off the ceremony with a reside rendition of their hit ‘Chaise Longue’, earlier than Pleasure Crookes carried out ‘Toes Don’t Fail Me Now’ and Yard Act performed a raucous ‘100% Endurance’. Kojey Radical in the meantime carried out with a string part for his rendition of ‘Gangsta’.

Elsewhere, Self Esteem was flanked by backing singers for ‘I Do This All The Time’ whereas  Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler performed a stirring model of ‘Footnotes On The Map’. Nova Twins kicked off a raucous efficiency of ‘Antagonist’ earlier than Sam Fender carried out a rousing rendition of ‘Seventeen Going Beneath’.

The complete record of nominated albums for the 2022 Mercury Prize have been as follows:

Fergus McCreadie – ‘Forest Ground’
Gwenno – ‘Tresor’
Harry Kinds – ‘Harry’s Home’
Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler – ‘For All Our Days That Tear The Coronary heart’
Pleasure Crookes – ‘Pores and skin’
Kojey Radical – ‘Motive To Smile’
Little Simz – ‘Generally I May Be Introvert’
Nova Twins – ‘Supernova’
Sam Fender – ‘Seventeen Going Beneath’
Self Esteem – ‘Prioritise Pleasure’
Moist Leg – ‘Moist Leg’
Yard Act – ‘The Overload’

The occasion was alleged to go forward final month, however the ceremony was known as off on the evening (September 8) following the loss of life of the Queen.

Following final month’s cancelled Mercury Prize ceremony, nominee Self Esteem helped donate unused meals from the occasion to the homeless.

Talking about her nomination, Self Esteem lately informed NME. “I’m not being coy, however I can’t imagine what’s occurred. “I’d actually made my peace with being constantly underground and under-dogged. One thing has occurred the place individuals have related to [the album]. It’s nonetheless form of a slow-burn and slowly rising – it’s not like my life has modified in a single day – however my biggest pleasure is making music.”