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Home > 3 PRS Foundation grantees nominated for the Mercury Prize 2026

3 PRS Foundation grantees nominated for the Mercury Prize 2026

Three PRS Foundation supported artists have been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2026, while several other grantees feature on nominated albums

  • Dave, Knats and Kojey Radical have all been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2026 Album of the Year.
  • Kojey Radical’s shortlisted album ‘Don’t Look Down’ features fellow PRS Foundation grantees Jaz Karis, Sipho and Swindle.
  • War Child Records’ shortlisted album ‘Help (2)’ features PRS Foundation-supported artists Ezra Collective, Kae Tempest, English Teacher, Arlo Parks and Young Fathers.
  • Dave’s shortlisted album ‘The Boy Who Played the Harp’ also features POWER UP Ambassador Kano on the track ‘Chapter 16’.
  • Nominated Nia Archives,  performed at No Bounds Festival 2022 as part of PRS Foundation’s support for the festival that year

The Mercury Prize 2026 Shortlist

  • Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp (Neighbourhood) – (International Showcase Fund) – Track Chapter 16 features POWER UP Ambassador Kano.
  • Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle (Fontana) – (International Showcase Fund)
  • Kojey Radical – Don’t Look Down (Atlantic) – (International Showcase Fund) – Track Comfortable features Jaz Karis (International Showcase Fund). The album also features Swindle and Sipho (PPL Momentum Music Fund).
  • Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist (Island) – (Open Fund for Organisations – No Bounds Festival 2022)
  • War Child Records – Help (2) (War Child/XL Beggars) – Features Ezra Collective (PPL Momentum Music Fund, International Showcase Fund, Steve Reid Innovation Award and BBC Music Introducing partnership support), Kae Tempest (PPL Momentum Music Fund), English Teacher (PPL Momentum Accelerator), Arlo Parks (BBC Music Introducing partnership) and Young Fathers (The Open Fund).

Congratulations to all the Mercury Prize 2026 nominees.

Following its biggest year yet in 2025, the Mercury Prize returns to Newcastle as the host city for 2026, in partnership with Newcastle City Council.

The 2026 Awards Show will be held on Thursday 22nd October at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle and will feature live performances from many of the 12 ‘Albums of the Year’ artists, culminating in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2026 Mercury Prize.

The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will provide coverage of the event.