(AllHipHop News) Rapper Skepta shocked the music world on Thursday night (September 15) when he beat out heavy favorite David Bowie to win the 2016 Mercury Prize.
The music icon was tipped as the frontrunner to win the album award for Blackstar, which was released two days before his death in January, and many experts believed the late music icon would be the first ever posthumous recipient of the Mercury Prize.
But grime star Skepta took home the award for Konichiwa.
Pulp star Jarvis Cocker announced the winner during the ceremony at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, and noted Bowie himself would have wanted Skepta to take the honor.
“We as a jury decided that if David Bowie was looking down on the Hammersmith Apollo tonight, let’s face it, maybe he is… he would want the 2016 Hyundai Mercury Prize to go Skepta,” Cocker said just before handing the award to the victor.
Skepta, real name Joseph Junior Adenuga, was emotional as he accepted the prize, saying, “Thank you, thank you… First I want to thank everybody who helped me put together the Konichiwa album. “I’ve been trying to do this music for so long, I want to thank my friends and my family… we did this for us and the love is very appreciated… More love, more greatness and thanks for the support.”
A $33,000 cash prize was given to the 33-year-old, who also beat out the likes of Laura Mvula, The 1975, Kano and Bat For Lashes, among others, for the top album award.