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David Bowie and Laura Mvula shortlisted for 2016 Mercury Prize
David Bowie and Laura Mvula have been honoured with places on the Mercury Prize shortlist for their albums ★ (pronounced Blackstar) and The Dreaming Room.
Blackstar was Bowie’s 28th and final studio album in a career spanning five decades and was described as a “parting gift” for fans. Produced by long-term collaborative partner Tony Visconti, it was released on 8th January this year, to coincide with the legend’s 69th birthday and raced straight to the top of the album chart. It features the critically acclaimed singles Blackstar and Lazarus. The icon tragically passed away just 2 days after the release.
Laura Mvula’s second album The Dreaming Room was released on 17th June. It follows her debut album Sing To the Moon which was also nominated for the 2013 Mercury Prize. Laura worked closely with producer and musical director Troy Miller (Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson) to create The Dreaming Room, which has also seen her team up with the London Symphony Orchestra, Wretch 32 and Miles Davis collaborator John Scofield.
For the first time, an online vote will enable music fans to select the first of six 2016 Mercury Prize finalists from the 12 Albums of the Year.
The shortlist, five remaining finalists and overall winner will all be chosen by the Hyundai Mercury Prize Judging Panel, based solely on artistic merit.
All six finalists and the overall winner will be announced as part of the 2016 Awards Show, which will take place on 15th September at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
For more information including how to vote, visit mercuryprize.com
