Raye Wins Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope

Raye's album This Music May Contain Hope won the Mercury Prize this year. The album consists of 73 minutes, 17 tracks, and four parts. Its closing track Fin lasts six minutes, and Raye reads production credits during four of those minutes.

The 2024 Mercury Prize ceremony was held at Abbey Road without a corporate sponsor or an audience. The ceremony was later moved to the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, where the public watched the event instead of record label executives. Nominees included Knats's A Great Day in Newcastle, Jade's solo debut album That's Showbiz Baby!, and Paul McCartney, who was nominated for the first time at age 84.

Sam Fender donated the prize money won with the album People Watching to the Music Venue Trust. One of the hit singles from People Watching remained at number one for approximately six months. More than half of the 40 best-selling albums of 2026 consist of greatest hits compilations or back-catalogue classics.