Michael Kiwanuka wins 2020 Mercury Prize

Michael Kiwanuka has won the 2020 Mercury Prize for his eponymous third record, Kiwanuka. Released last November, Kiwanuka beat out heavy-hitters like Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia and Stormzy's Heavy Is The Head to win the £25,000 prize.

Kiwanuka won on his third nomination. He was also nominated for his two previous albums: 2012's Home Again and 2016's Love & Hate. Hot Press hailed the indie folk giant's latest record as "a thoughtful and highly rewarding album".

"I was kind of resigned to the fact [that] if I don't win one this year, probably I'll never win one," Kiwanuka told BBC 6 Music.

Kiwanuka's victory was revealed by Radio 1's Annie Mac on 'The One Show', after Covid-19 restrictions made the traditional award ceremony impossible.

The DJ was on the judging panel alongside Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith, noted on the show that the decision was unanimous.

"I don't think any of the judges walked away unhappy," she said. "Everyone felt the same thing about this album, which is that it thoroughly deserved to win the prize."

Listen to Kiwanuka below.