Little Simz named winner of 2022 Mercury Prize

This was the second nomination for the British rapper and singer after her third album, 2019’s Grey Area, was also shortlisted.

18 October 2022

Little Simz has won the 2022 Mercury Prize with her fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

The 28-year-old artist was among the 12 acts who were in the running for the prestigious award, alongside Harry Styles and Sam Fender.

The announcement was made during the award ceremony, which recognises the best British album of the year, at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, west London, on Tuesday evening.

Accepting her prize onstage, the British rapper and singer said she was “very overwhelmed and grateful” to receive the accolade.

“To my family over here, my loved ones right here. I want to say a huge thank you to the Mercury for this incredible prize,” she said.

“I want to say thank you to my brother and close collaborator Inflo… he’s known me since I was so young, he’s stuck by me, we created this album together.

“There was times in the studio when I didn’t know if I was going to finish this record, I was feeling all the emotions and really going through it. He stuck by me and pushed me to deliver this album for you guys.”

She continued: “I want to say a huge thank you to my team… I want to say thank you to the fans. Jamz Supernova, Lauren Laverne, thank you guys so much.

“And last but never ever least I want to big up all the other nominees tonight, all the other albums, from Joy (Crookes), to Kojey (Radical), Self Esteem, Wet Leg, all you guys are incredible.”

Following the news, she took to the stage to give a powerful rendition of here track How Did You Get Here.

This was the second nomination for the artist, whose real name is Simbiatu Ajikawo, after her third album – 2019’s Grey Area – was also shortlisted.

Last year, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert was named BBC Radio 6 Music’s album of the year.

She made her Glastonbury debut on the West Holts Stage in 2016 and performed again on the same stage this year.

This year she was named best new artist at the Brit Awards and performed during the ceremony with actress Emma Corrin making a surprise appearance.

Hosted by radio DJ Lauren Laverne, the ceremony saw live performances from many of the nominees.

Among the performances of the night was Wet Leg singing their track Chaise Longue, Joy Crookes performed Feet Don’t Fail Me Now while Yard Act gave a rendition of 100% Endurance.

Kojey Radical also entered into the audience to see his mother while singing his track Gangsta and Jessie Buckley dressed in an elegant white lace dress for her performance of Footnotes On The Map alongside Bernard Butler.

Later on in the night, Self Esteem performed I Do This All The Time and Sam Fender sang his hit track Seventeen Going Under.

Harry Styles was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently on tour in America but sent a video message apologising for his absence and sharing how grateful he was to be shortlisted.

Before they played a video of him performing As It Was, the singer said: “It’s an honour to be on this list with so many incredible albums.”

To mark the BBC’s 100th birthday, broadcast partner BBC Music delivered live television and radio coverage of the event.

The award ceremony was previously postponed due to the Queen’s death.

Last year, the Mercury Prize was won by Arlo Parks for her debut album Collapsed In Sunbeams.