Charli XCX and Dua Lipa go head-to-head as they’re shortlisted for Album Of The Year with Stormzy at 2020 Mercury Prize awards
Charli XCX and Dua Lipa are set to go head-to-head as they’ve been shortlisted for Album Of The Year at the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize awards.
The singer, 27, and the New Rules hitmaker, 24, are also set to compete with Stormzy amongst others for the top spot, it was announced on Thursday.
Charli released how i’m feeling now in May after recording the album from scratch in lockdown, while Dua’s Future Nostalgia was released in March.
In the running: Charli XCX and Dua Lipa are set to go head-to-head as they were shortlisted for Album Of The Year with Stormzy at 2020 Mercury Prize awards on Thursday
As well as Charli and Dua’s releases, Stormzy’s album Heavy is the Head has also been given a nod in the category.
The Hyundai Mercury Prize Album Of The Year celebrated the best of British music and recognises the achievement of artists across musical genres.
Selected by an independent judging panel, the full shortlist was revealed on Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC Radio 6 Music show.
Shortlisted: Charli released how i’m feeling now in May after recording the album from scratch in lockdown, while Dua’s Future Nostalgia was released in March
Dua admitted the honour feels ‘surreal’ because she didn’t think she was ‘cool enough’ for the nod.
She said: ‘My manager Ben called me on the phone when i was in New York and told me I was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and I couldn’t believe it.
‘I never really thought that would ever happen for me so I am really excited to have been shortlisted and for the recognition.
‘The support means so much to me and it’s kind of surreal because maybe I just didn’t think I was cool enough.’
While Charli admitted she feels ‘honoured to have her ‘little corner of experimental pop recognised’.
Also up for the prize is Laura Marling – who has previously been shortlisted in 2008, 2010 and 2013 – with her acclaimed LP Song For Our Daughter.
Rockers Sports Team’s debut album Deep Down Happy has also received the nod, and they’ve been celebrating ever since they found out.
Rapper Kano’s powerful LP Hoodies All Summer, Anna Meredith’s FIBS, Georgia’s Seeking Thrills, Lanterns On The Lake’s Spook The Herd and Moses Boyd’s Dark Matter will also go head-to-head.
Michael Kiwanuka’s self-titled LP Kiwanuka rounds off the 12 albums selected by a panel of artists and music industry professionals, including Anna Calvi, Annie Mac, Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes, Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith.
The 2019 Mercury Prize went to Dave for his acclaimed debut LP Psychodrama.
The rapper beat off stiff competition from The 1975, IDLES, black midi, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Little Simz, NAO, Anna Calvi, Cate Le Bon, SEED Ensemble, and slowthai.