[Brother Leon]

Skepta has been announced as the winner of the Hyundai Mercury Prize .

The grime artist was handed the award from Jarvis Cocker from Pulp, who helped to pick the winner from 223 albums, during the 25th annual ceremony at Hammersmith Apollo in London this evening.

Jarvis revealed the decision came down to two black stars.

He said: "We as a jury decided, are you listening? We as a jury decided that if David Bowie was looking down on the Hammersmith Apollo tonight, let's face it, maybe he is .. he would want the 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize to go Skepta.

Skepta has been announced as the winner of the Hyundai Mercury Prize .

The grime artist was handed the award from Jarvis Cocker from Pulp, who helped to pick the winner from 223 albums, during the 25th annual ceremony at Hammersmith Apollo in London this evening.

Jarvis revealed the decision came down to two black stars.

He said: "We as a jury decided, are you listening? We as a jury decided that if David Bowie was looking down on the Hammersmith Apollo tonight, let's face it, maybe he is .. he would want the 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize to go Skepta.



David Bowie, Lauren Mvula, Radiohead, Michael Kiwanuka, and The 1975 also made the final shortlist of six out for 12 albums nominated for the 2016 awards.

Bowie's final album Blackstar, released only two days before he died from cancer in January, was shortlisted for one of the music industry's most prestigious awards, and many fans thought he'd win.

One fan wrote on Twitter earlier tonight: "Let's face it, if they give the #MercuryPrize to anyone other than Bowie there will actually be rioting."


While there was a lot of noise for The 1975 and Radiohead on the social media site, the majority of users wanted Bowie to win.

One social media user posted: "I hope that David Bowie wins The Mercury Prize after all it's him that has inspired most music and his music was the best. What a guy!"

Another added: "It hurts to think that there's people who actually believe The 1975 will beat Bowie and Radiohead in the Mercury prize."

Unreal. What a moment. Can't believe how far Skepta is taking the scene. Emotional times, especially seeing all the familiar faces from the area with him on Stage.