Mercury Prize Nominees: Brat Summer Reigns
The 2024 Mercury Prize nominations have been announced, showcasing a diverse range of British and Irish music talent, with a notable focus on emerging artists and female-led acts.
Pop sensation Charli XCX, known for her vibrant "Brat" aesthetic that even permeated the recent US presidential election, has earned her second Mercury Prize nomination for her sixth studio album, "Brat." She joins the ranks of four other previously recognized artists: Berwyn, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Ghetts, all receiving their second nominations.
Berwyn, the Trinidad-born, London-raised rapper, is nominated for his debut album, "Who Am I," following his 2021 nomination for the mixtape "Demotape/Vega." Corinne Bailey Rae, the Leeds songwriter, is nominated for her psychedelic fourth album, "Black Rainbows," and London rapper Ghetts is recognized for his fourth album, "On Purpose, With Purpose."
Joining the established nominees is Beth Gibbons, whose acclaimed solo debut album, "Lives Outgrown," earns her a nomination, years after winning the Mercury Prize in 1995 as a member of Portishead.
Eight of the twelve nominees represent a wave of exciting new talent, spanning a wide range of genres. They include: Bradford jungle producer Nia Archives for "Silence Is Loud," Dublin indie-pop songwriter CMAT for "Crazymad, for Me," London songwriter Cat Burns for "Early Twenties," Edinburgh dance producer Barry Can't Swim for "When Will We Land?", Leeds indie band English Teacher for "This Could Be Texas," the buzzworthy London baroque-pop group The Last Dinner Party for "Prelude to Ecstasy," and Glasgow composer corto.alto for his debut album, "Bad With Names," receiving the Mercury's infamous "token" jazz nomination.
Notably, the 2024 shortlist showcases a strong female presence, with eight out of twelve nominees being women or groups featuring female members. This reflects a progressive shift towards gender representation in the music industry, echoing the 2020 Mercury Prize list.
While some artists might feel snubbed, the Mercury Prize encourages artists to submit themselves, making it impossible to know who declined or who felt overlooked. Notable omissions include Radiohead's side project the Smile, dance legends Pet Shop Boys, Blur, Charli XCX collaborator AG Cook, Sheffield metallers Bring Me The Horizon, 2017 Mercury winner Sampha, Dua Lipa, jazz musician Shabaka, folk legend Linda Thompson, songwriter Rachel Chinouriri, experimental band Still House Plants, dance group Mount Kimbie, and post-punks Yard Act.
The Mercury Prize aims to highlight both emerging and established talents, emphasizing the diverse landscape of British and Irish music. The judging panel, consisting of industry veterans and respected journalists, includes broadcaster and writer Danielle Perry, musician and Radio 2 presenter Jamie Cullum, DJ and BBC 6 Music presenter Jamz Supernova, BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music head of music Jeff Smith, music programming consultant Lea Stonhill, broadcaster, songwriter and DJ Mistajam, BBC Radio 1 presenter and DJ Sian Eleri, and journalists Will Hodgkinson, Sophie Williams, and Phil Alexander.
This year, the Mercury Prize has faced challenges in securing a sponsor, leading to the cancellation of the traditional live awards ceremony featuring performances from all nominees. Instead, the winner will be announced in September, with details regarding the unveiling yet to be revealed.
The 2024 Mercury Prize nominations represent a captivating snapshot of the British and Irish music scene, showcasing both established and emerging talent and emphasizing the prize's commitment to diversity and innovation.
The 2024 Mercury Prize Nominees:
Barry Canât Swim - When Will We Land?
Berwyn - Who Am I
Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown
Cat Burns - Early Twenties
Charli XCX - Brat
CMAT - Crazymad, for Me
Corinne Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows
corto.alto - Bad With Names
English Teacher - This Could Be Texas
Ghetts - On Purpose, With Purpose
Nia Archives - Silence Is Loud
The Last Dinner Party - Prelude to Ecstasy
