Mercury Prize winner named

Wed 9th Sep, 2009 in International News

From a nominees list of marquee names, the 2009 Mercury Music Prize has gone to one of Britain’s lesser-known talents. London rapper Speech Debelle took the honour for her album Speech Therapy, muscling out the likes of Kasabian, Glasvegas, Bat For Lashes and the Horrors.

The winner is determined by a panel of industry tastemakers, who are groomed to choose an album only on its artistic merits. Speech Debelle was awarded a £20,000 cheque and a guaranteed boost to her profile. Last year, Elbow’s victorious LP The Seldom Seen Kid experienced a 688% boost in UK sales.

Here’s the nominees list from the 2009 Mercury Music Prize.

Florence and the Machine – Lungs
Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
La Roux – La Roux
Glasvegas – Glasvegas
Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
The Horrors – Primary Colours
Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
The Invisible – The Invisible
Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men