Watch Michael Kiwanuka's amazing reaction to winning the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2020
A richly deserved win
Last updated 25th Sep 2020
It was third time lucky for Michael Kiwanuka last night (24th September) after he won the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2020 with his sublime self-titled album ‘KIWANUKA.’
After previously making the shortlist for his previous two albums ‘Home Again’ (2012) and ‘Love & Hate’ (2016), the Muswell Hill singer-songwriter finally scooped the Hyundai Mercury Prize with his critically lauded third record.
Facing stiff competition, Michael Kiwanuka beat the likes of Lanterns on the Lake, Laura Marling, Stormzy, Sports Team and Dua Lipa to the coveted Hyundai Mercury Prize title.
With no ceremony this year due to restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, the Hyundai Mercury Prize results were announced online and on The One Show at 7.30pm.
The Hyundai Mercury Prize took to Twitter to share the moment Michael Kiwanuka was told he’d won the prestigious honour. Watch his incredible reaction right here:
Michael Kiwanuka also took over Piccadilly Circus last night:
For the third consecutive year, Absolute Radio presenter Danielle Perry was once again part of the 12-strong Hyundai Mercury Prize judging panel in 2020 alongside Anna Calvi, Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes, Jorja Smith, Jamie Cullum, Phil Alexander, Annie Mac, Gemma Cairney, Mike Walsh, Will Hodgkinson, Tshepo Mokoena and chair Jeff Smith.
Explaining why they picked Michael Kiwanuka to win, the judging panel said: “KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka is the well deserved winner of the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2020 for Album of the Year.
“Classic yet contemporary, drawing on the history of music while remaining an intensely personal work of self-expression, this is an album that will stand the test of time. Songs such as Hero and You Ain’t The Problem deal with hot button topics like race and identity, but in a reflective way that draws the listener in.
“From its narrative flow to the interludes, from Civil Rights speeches to its panoramic mix of everything from psychedelic rock to piano jazz, KIWANUKA is not only a complete work, but also one that is borne of the courage of its creator to build his own world and invite us in.
“Warm, rich, hugely accomplished and belonging to no one genre but its own, KIWANUKA is a masterpiece.”
Reacting to his Hyundai Mercury Prize triumph, Michael Kiwanuka said: “I don’t even know what to say - I’m speechless. This is amazing…I don’t even have any words. This is ridiculous, it’s crazy! I’m so happy.
“Third time’s a charm. It’s blown my mind. I’m over the moon, I'm so excited - this is for art, for music, for albums. This is the only thing I've ever wanted to do so to win a Mercury is a dream come true. I’m so happy. Music and art means so much to me and this is an award that celebrates that so I’m over the moon.”
You can check out the 12 albums that were on the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2020 shortlist below.
The Hyundai Mercury Prize 2020 shortlist:
WINNER - Michael Kiwanuka - ‘KIWANUKA’
Muswell Hill's most famous musical export since The Kinks, Michael Kiwanuka has produced the album of his distinguished career so far with the eponymous and glorious 'KIWANUKA'. Co-produced by Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley fame (who also helmed 2016's chart-topping 'Love & Hate') 'KIWANUKA' centres once again on Michael Kiwanuka's honeyed voice and effortlessly flits between soul, blues, rock and funk as he tackles weighty subject matter.
Lanterns on the Lake - ‘Spook the Herd’
After taking a short hiatus in 2016, Newcastle indie rockers Lanterns on the Lake returned to the fore in February of this year with their fourth album 'Spook the Herd' – a record that has been hailed as a "masterpiece" by critics. Sonically atmospheric and lush throughout with Hazel Wilde's voice never sounding better, 'Spook the Herd' sees the band reflect upon many contemporary issues including divisive politics, social media, addiction, grief and the climate crisis.
Laura Marling - ‘Song for Our Daughter’
No stranger to the Hyundai Mercury Prize having been nominated three times previously ('Alas, I Cannot Swim', 'I Speak Because I Can' and 'Once I Was An Eagle' in in 2008, 2010 and 2013 respectively), Laura Marling will be hoping it's fourth time lucky with her sublime 'Song for Our Daughter'. Throughout its 10 tracks and 36 all-too-short minutes, 'Song for Our Daughter' is musically exquisite and packed with gorgeous melodies as Marling bares her soul to an imaginary child. Sublime stuff.
Stormzy - ‘Heavy is the Head’
Undoubtedly one of the UK's biggest rising stars in the past decade who headlined Glastonbury after just one studio album (2017's Gang Signs & Prayers), the mighty Stormzy delivered again in late 2019 with his towering second album 'Heavy is the Head'. Featuring collaborations with Aitch, Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Headie One, H.E.R., and Yebba, 'Heavy is the Head' is gritty, infectious and astonishingly broad in scope, yet it always manages to stay true to Stormzy's grime roots.
Sports Team - ‘Deep Down Happy’
Released in June 2020, London based indie rockers Sports Team's debut album 'Down Happy' was a massive commercial success upon release reaching number two on the UK chart, narrowly losing the top spot to Lady Gaga's 'Chromatica'. It's easy to see what the fuss is about as 'Deep Down Happy' is an infectious, uplifting and cathartic album from a band that clearly don't take themselves too seriously. Fantastic.
Porridge Radio - ‘Every Bad’
'Every Bad', the second album from fantastically monikered Brighton quartet Porridge Radio, is beguiling, edgy and brilliant. Released in March, it sees the band abandon the more minimalism of their early material half a decade ago in favour of more colossal, abrasive, dynamic and urgent sounds.
Moses Boyd - ‘Dark Matter’
Hyper-eclectic jazz musician Moses Boyd released his scintillating and exhilarating debut album 'Dark Matter' in February and it's rightfully regarded as one of the standout records of 2020. Melding jazz with electronica, grime, rock, afrobeats and jazz fusion, 'Dark Matter' is glorious melting pot of music and thematically it's about unity and hope in these turbulent global times. An astonishing record.
Kano - ‘Hoodies All Summer’
East Ham rap powerhouse Kano seems to be going from strength to strength with each release, and August 2019's 'Hoodies All Summer' is nothing short of a revelation. Kano sounds imperious throughout his sixth album as he dextrously raps about hard-hitting issues and also the importance of good times in life. Kano's 2016 album 'Made in the Manor' was also shortlisted for the Hyundai Mercury Prize but Kano will be hoping to go the whole way and win it this time.
Georgia - ‘Seeking Thrills’
The daughter of Leftfield legend Neil Barnes, Georgia has electronic music running through her veins and she kicked off 2020 in fine style by releasing her synth-heavy musical opus 'Seeking Thrills'. Building on her self-titled 2015 debut, 'Seeking Thrills' is a slick, highly addictive and flawless album that nods towards to electropop greats including Robyn and The Knife.
Anna Meredith - ‘FIBS’
Turnell Park born, Scotland raised experimental composer Anna Merdith released her truly unique second studio album 'FIBS' to widespread acclaim in October 2019. Breath-taking in musical scope, and often challenging yet always innovative, 'FIBS' fuses frenetic and euphoric electronic sounds with more traditional instruments to startling and mind-boggling effect. Throughout all of its 11 brilliant tracks, 'FIBS' is genre-obliterating musical magic of the highest order.
Charli XCX - ‘how i’m feeling now’
Released in May 2020, 'how i'm feeling now' saw Charli XCX – real name Charlotte Emma Aitchison – embrace the "do-it-yourself" ethos, and it was recorded over just six weeks in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. Recorded in self-isolation and devoid of the blockbuster production of her previous album 'Charli', 'how i'm feeling now' is a low-fi pop gem that's cohesive, experimental and an absolute triumph.
Dua Lipa - ‘Future Nostalgia‘
Already a global megastar thanks to her multi-million selling self-titled debut album 'Dua Lipa' and ubiquitous pop anthem 'New Rules', Dua Lipa upped the ante with her critically lauded second record 'Future Nostalgia'. Embracing disco, electro and funk, 'Future Nostalgia' sees Dua Lipa take musical influence from her favourite music from childhood to startling effect. Pure pop perfection throughout, 'Future Nostalgia' features an array of esteemed producers including Stuart Price, who famously helmed Madonna's 2005 tour-de-force 'Confessions on a Dance Floor.'