Ed Sheeran and Stormzy to battle it out for Mercury Prize
The xx, Alt-J and Blossoms are also among those to have received nominations for the respected accolade.
Ed Sheeran will face off with friend and collaborator Stormzy in the battle for this year’s Mercury Prize.
Sheeran’s record-breaking third album Divide and grime star Stormzy’s debut record Gang Signs And Prayers were named on the 12-strong shortlist for the prestigious prize.
It marks Sheeran’s first appearance on the shortlist and comes after a record-breaking year for the 26-year-old which has seen him dominate the UK charts.
Seven debut albums are up for the award, with singer-songwriter Sampha’s Process and rapper J Hus’ Common Sense joining Stormzy in reaching the list for the prize with their full-length releases.
Indie pop band Blossoms, rapper Loyle Carner, jazz-inflected group Dinosaur and London four-piece The Big Moon are among the other nominees whose records are up for the prize.
Completing the shortlist are Glass Animals with their sophomore effort How To Be A Human Being.
Revealing the shortlist, the judges said: “This year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlist celebrates the remarkable power of British music.
“What these artists have in common is an infectious pleasure in music making and an arresting sense of urgency about the music they make.
“They delight in exploring musical possibilities and refusing to be pinned down by genre conventions.”
Last year the Mercury Prize was won by grime artist Skepta for his album Konnichiwa, beating David Bowie’s Blackstar.
