Raye won the Mercury Prize 2026, and admitted it was the “best birthday present” she could’ve received.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter triumphed for her album This Music May Contain Hope, which she wrote and co-produced, and the star admitted she put “so much passion and love for music” into the record.
Speaking backstage at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena following her victory on Thursday night (22.10.26), she said: “I just poured so much heart into this album, I really did.
“Down to the wire, I set myself the goal to just make the most ambitious album.
“We have about four orchestras’ worth of musicians on this.
“So much passion and love for music went into this album and really this accolade is really serious and something I always dreamed to one day receive. I just feel really grateful.
“It’s just the best birthday present I could have asked for.”
Raye beat off competition from the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, after his solo album The Boys of Dungeon Lane appeared among this year’s 12 Albums of the Year.
The Beatles legend hadn’t previously featured on a Mercury list.
Dave (The Boy Who Played the Harp), Florence + The Machine (Everybody Scream), Olivia Dean (The Art of Loving), Nia Archives (Emotional Junglist) and Suede (Antidepressants) were also shortlisted for the gong.
As were Dove Ellis (Blizzard), JADE (THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!), Knats (A Great Day in Newcastle), Kojey Radical (Don’t Look Down) and War Child Records’ collaborative project HELP(2).
But Raye fans might have to wait for her next record.
In August, the star – who has been romantically linked to Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan – declared she wouldn’t make another album until she’s found love.
During an appearance on the Today show, RAYE quipped: “I’m on strike, basically. I’m on strike from making an album until I fall in love basically.
“Because, do you know what it is? I’ve written so many songs … Picture this: I’ve been a songwriter for a really long time and your perspective … my perspective has largely just been, ‘This didn’t work out or this sucks or I’m alone. My ex that time, or my ex that time.’ So I’m just very bored of that perspective.”
Asked if she’ll delay releasing another album until she finds “Mr Right”, Raye replied: “Absolutely. I’m hard-set. It could be 10 years, guys.”
In the long term, Raye is looking forward to approaching her next project with an optimistic outlook.
She said: “I’m just really excited to find another project, see what happens in life and just enjoy the twists and turns, do all that stuff.”