Raye on the “best birthday present” of her Mercury Prize win: “I just feel seriously seen”

Raye has spoken about the honour of receiving the “best birthday present” with her Mercury Prize 2026 for ‘This Music May Contain Hope‘, sharing that she “just feels seriously seen” after her years of struggle. The London singer-songwriter was crowned the winner of the 2026 prize in Newcastle last night (Thursday October 22) for her second album, beating off competition from other shortlisted records by Paul McCartney, JADE, Nia Archives, Dave, Suede, Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, Knats, RAYE, Dove Ellis, and Kojey Radical, along with the War Child ‘Help(2)’ compilation album. The win comes on the eve of her playing the album in full with an orchestra at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall tonight, and ahead of her celebrating her 29th birthday tomorrow. After her emotional acceptance speech and closing performance on stage, Raye headed to the winners’ room to address media at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle – where she told us that the evening had fulfilled her dream of either getting a “boyfriend” or a “Mercury Prize”. “I just poured so much heart into this album, I really did,” Raye told the room. “Down to the wire, I set myself the goal to just make the most ambitious album...