Postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last month, the Mercury Prize finally took place in London last night – with Little Simz taking home the top Album of the Year prize for her acclaimed 2021 album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

She was awarded the winner's trophy, as well as a cheque for £25,000 at the ceremony at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.

"In a year that has, to put it mildly, presented rather a lot of challenges, British and Irish music has thrived more than ever," the judging panel commented. "That made it extremely hard for the judges to choose an overall winner from the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’... simply because all of them had so much to offer.

"When it came down to it, the judges were so impressed by Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz that everyone could get behind it," they continued. "This accomplished and complex yet entirely accessible album is the work of someone striving constantly to push herself. It deals with themes both personal and political while putting them against music that is as sophisticated as it is varied. The Mercury Prize is all about shining a light on albums of lasting value and real artistry. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert has both.’

Last night's show featured live performances from the majority of the shortlisted artists – including Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler, Joy Crookes, Fergus McCreadie, Gwenno, Kojey Radical, Little Simz, Nova Twins, Sam Fender, Self Esteem, Wet Leg, and Yard Act.

Back in December, Little Simz' Sometimes I Might Be Introvert was named Hot Press's No.1 Hip-Hop Album of the Year.

Watch Little Simz being crowned the winner of the Mercury Prize 2022 – and perform 'How Did You Get Here?' – below:

See Irish star Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler perform 'Footnotes on the Map' below: