Simz City — Hip-Hop Star Wins 2022 Mercury Music Prize

Little Simz has been named the winner of this year's Mercury Music Prize.

The hip-hop star was named overall winner at a glittering ceremony in London last night (Tuesday).

She collected the winner’s trophy and cheque for £25,000 and then performed a song from the winning album ‘Sometimes I Might be Introvert’.

The Isle of Wight's Wet Leg were among 13 other acts nominated for the award, for their self-titled debut album which went straight into the UK charts at number one in April.

A stirring rendition of Chaise Longue had the crowd at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on their feet and participating in the "excuse me.." "what?" exchange.

An exhaustive schedule has seen Wet Leg fly back from the States and straight onto the European leg of a relentless live show run until December.

Geordie rocker Sam Fender provided another highlight of the evening, performing the title track from his chart topping album 'Seventeen Going Under'.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past few years, with UK number one LPs in 2019 and 2021.

Harry Styles was unable to attend the awards, but left a video message (below).

The annual Mercury Music Prize is awarded for the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act.

It was originally scheduled to take place on September 8, but was postponed due to the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

Previous winners include Pulp, The XX and Arlo Parks.