Mercury Prize 2022

[FloorFiller]

Really thought it was gonna go to Self Esteem, but alas, the London curse continues. Happy for Simz though as it always seemed like it was gonna be between them two. Well deserved.

[nikkic]

Deserved winner. 

One of the best British rap albums of all time. 

[chazwwe]

1 hour ago, FloorFiller said:

Really thought it was gonna go to Self Esteem, but alas, the London curse continues. Happy for Simz though as it always seemed like it was gonna be between them two. Well deserved.

Whats the London curse?

[FloorFiller]

12 minutes ago, chazwwe said:

Whats the London curse?

The Mercury Prize almost exclusively going to London acts to the point that you wonder if the results are sometimes skewed in it’s favour. Last non-London act to win was Young Fathers in 2014.

Not to take away from Simz’ victory as the album is ace, but it’s still a strange statistic.

Edited October 19, 2022 by FloorFiller

[chazwwe]

2 minutes ago, FloorFiller said:

The Mercury Prize almost exclusively going to London acts to the point that you wonder if the results are sometimes skewed in it’s favour. Last non-London act to win was Young Fathers in 2014.

Not to take away from Simz’ victory as the album is ace, but it’s still a strange statistic.

Simz wiki says she was born in Islington? 

[Ayrshire Chris]

1 hour ago, FloorFiller said:

Really thought it was gonna go to Self Esteem, but alas, the London curse continues. Happy for Simz though as it always seemed like it was gonna be between them two. Well deserved.

Yes, well deserved but I had also thought Self Esteem or Sam Fender must have been in with a chance 

[FloorFiller]

8 minutes ago, chazwwe said:

Simz wiki says she was born in Islington? 

Yes, London. 

[Hugh Jass II]

7 hours ago, balthazarstarbuck said:

Just picked up for £21 on double clear vinyl from rough trade (with discount code). Still there if you’re quick!

Also only discovered the initials today. A touch embarrassed.

 

 

 

Just managed to nab one.

Ta.

[chazwwe]

38 minutes ago, FloorFiller said:

Yes, London. 

Ohh sorry. I thought you were saying it hasn't gone to someone. Too early for forums 

[gigpusher]

It was one of the best shortlists for me in a while. There was no album on it I hated. I think the win possibly would have meant more to Self Esteem but SIMBI was my album of last year and as an award that honours the album it was deserved. 

[Zoo Music Girl]

Well deserved although I did really want Self Esteem to get it as I know she wanted it so much (and didn't know that about London winners until yesterday, would have been good to mix it up). Little Simz is awesome though.

[Skip997]

2 hours ago, nikkic said:

Deserved winner. 

One of the best British rap albums of all time. 

After hearing it for the first time last night, they played the whole album on 6 music, I've just bought it.

[BenG92]

Absolutely the best choice with Self Esteem in second. So well deserved, get Simz on other stage next year.

[CaledonianGonzo]

 

 

[gigpusher]

13 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

 

I saw that this morning. Just goes to show how long she's been working at it. 

[balthazarstarbuck]

5 hours ago, FloorFiller said:

The Mercury Prize almost exclusively going to London acts to the point that you wonder if the results are sometimes skewed in it’s favour. Last non-London act to win was Young Fathers in 2014.

Not to take away from Simz’ victory as the album is ace, but it’s still a strange statistic.

Madder than that, discounting Arlo Parks (who’s West and ruins the pattern) it’s alternated between North and South London artists since 2016.

[nikkic]

1 hour ago, balthazarstarbuck said:

Madder than that, discounting Arlo Parks (who’s West and ruins the pattern) it’s alternated between North and South London artists since 2016.

#thereisnopattern 

[stanh]

Very well deserved! One of the best UK rap albums we've had in a while, and she is such an exciting artist, and a breath of fresh air in each record, so glad SIMBI is getting the recognition it truly deserve - cannot wait to see whats next for Simz!

[CaledonianGonzo]

Hopefully a hit single.

[mjfiddy]

14 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

Hopefully a hit single.

How 101 FM or Selfish weren’t commercially bigger I’ll never know… absolute bangers

well deserved winner

Edited October 19, 2022 by mjfiddy

[nikkic]

2 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

Hopefully a hit single.

This is what she needs to progress to the next level for sure.

A collab with Dave wouldn’t do her any harm. 

[CaledonianGonzo]

Worst thing is: she's clearly writing bangers.  It's just that the wider Joe Public isn't buying.......yet.

[Mouseboy11]

I can't believe her appearance in Venom: Let There Be Carnage didn't land her a smash hit.

[panda97]

SIMBI is a brilliant album so I can't begrudge Simz the win, but I was really hoping Self Esteem would get it! To echo some others, it was a really strong shortlist overall!

[Dancers Stand Very Still]

Perfect result for me. Simz is brilliant, as is the album!

I've still not wrapped my head around the Self Esteem love here and in general. I'm delighted she's doing well as I think everything she stands for is great and I really want to like her musically because of that. However, I don't think she's particularly good or interesting musically, live (I've seen her 3 times at various festivals) or on record. What do people see that I'm missing, or is it more buying into the person rather than the music?