Despite fierce competition from the likes of David Bowie, The Arctic Monkeys and others, critically acclaimed electronic producer and singer-songwriter James Blake has been awarded the 2013 Mercury Prize for Album of the Year. The prize is worth £20,000, which Blake won ahead of favourites Laura Mvula and Disclosure.
Blake had previously been nominated for his self-titled debut album in 2011, but the prize was ultimately awarded to PJ Harvey's Let England Shake. Overgrown was released in April to widespread critical acclaim. The album has also been a modest commercial hit, reaching number one in the US Dance and Electronic music chart.
However, the Mercury ceremony was not without its mishaps. As Blake was about to perform live for the crowd, host Lauren Laverne accidentally introduced him as You're Beautiful singer-songwriter James Blunt. Blunt's recently released album Moon Landing had not been nominated. Laverne later tweeted some self-depreciating acknowledgements of her slip of the tongue:
BLAKE BLAKE BLAKE #nailedit #mercuryprize
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) October 30, 2013
Thanks for the tweets of support, guys. You're beautiful. OH GOD IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) October 30, 2013
