Little Simz wins Mercury Prize for ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’

Little Simz has won this year’s Mercury Prize for her album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’.

In her acceptance speech Simz, real name Simbiatu Ajikawo, thanked close friend and collaborator Inflo, saying "we created this album together."

"There was times in the studio when I didn't know if I was going to finish this record," she said in her acceptance speech. "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."

“Glory to God – God thank you so much; to my family over here, my loved ones right here. I wanna say a huge thank you to the Mercury for this incredible, incredible prize.”

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She continued by thanking the other nominees which included the likes of Kojey Radical, Joy Crookes, Harry Styles and Self Esteem. “All of you guys are incredible, we all made incredible albums, we all change people’s lives with our music and that’s the most important thing, so this is for us really, you know what I’m saying?”

She told BBC News after the ceremony: "I just pray I can do what I can and contribute what I can to the landscape of music and society in whatever way, shape or form, and just try and speak for those that don't have a voice and use my platform and my gift for the greater good."

Presenting the award to Simz was DJ Jamz Supernova who said: “The album that we have chosen deals with themes both personal and political; the music is as sophisticated as it is varied. This is a truly exceptional album.”

The Mercury Prize judges said according to the BBC: "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."

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Little Simz is prized with £25,000 with this award and add it to also winning the Brit Award for best newcomer despite releasing her debut album almost a decade ago.

This year’s Mercury Prize was rescheduled from September to last night (October 18) due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Performing at this year's ceremony included most nominees from Yard Act to the Nova Twins as well as Simz rapping her track 'How Did You Get Here?'

Previous Mercury Prize winners include, Skepta, Dave, Michael Kiwanuka, The xx, James Blake and last year Arlo Parks became the youngest-ever winner aged 21.

Watch Little Simz win the Mercury Prize 2022 below.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter