Laura Mvula would love fellow Mercury Prize nominee Michael Kiwanuka to win the award if she doesn’t.
The 30-year-old singer has been nominated for the prestigious accolade for the second time for her LP, ‘The Dreaming Room’, but she is a big fan of the ‘Home Again’ hitmaker and would love to see him take it home for his record ‘Love and Hate’.
Asked who she’d like to see pick up the prize, Laura told BANG Showbiz: "Michael Kiwanuka. I keep saying Michael but I feel like it will be a year that, there are so many varied artists, that whatever happens I think we’ll feel proud, and the artists will feel part of something great."
Now in its 25th year, the Mercury Prize continues to shock in its choices of nominees and Laura is impressed that unlike the BRIT Awards, that she boycotted this year over a lack of diversity, this awards show is a wider representative of society.
Laura explained: "It’s interesting now that the dialogues are much more at the forefront, we’re not hiding. I think that’s a good start. At least now it’s more accurate."
And the ‘Green Garden’ hitmaker – was was shortlisted for album ‘Sing to the Moon’ in 2013 – is convinced that the UK is leading the way creatively in music.
She said: "The palate of creativity we have in this country is unparalleled. People are watching us – more than they’re watching everybody else – they’re saying ‘Oh my god, what are they eating and drinking in the UK?’
"We’re all a part of that, so much. Kano, all the girls, 1975. I think it exposes the fact that we don’t know everything and that’s the point of this thing.
"I know there are people on this list whose albums I don’t know.
"That’s the point, and you check it out and see if it connects with you."
Meanwhile, asked what she would splash the cash on if she beat her peers, she said: "It’s funny because last time I was up for it felt like lottery money. But now I’d spend it on music because it’s so bloody expensive. That would pay for a couple of shows because they cost me money."
The winner will be announced at the 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize, which will take place on September 15 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
Laura Mvula wants Michael Kiwanuka to win the Mercury Prize
