Little Simz wins 2022 Mercury Prize for acclaimed fourth album
The rapper scooped the prize for her acclaimed fourth record 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert'
By Nick Reilly
Little Simz has won the 2022 Mercury Prize for her acclaimed fourth album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.
The 28-year-old London rapper was vying for the award for the second time in her career, after previously receiving the nod for her third album Grey Area in 2019.
Accepting the award at London’s Eventim Apollo last night, the rapper appeared overwhelmed and sat stunned in her chair as she took in the win.
Simz, born Simbiatu Ajikawo, said: “Wow. I’m very very overwhelmed, I’m very grateful.
“Glory to God – God thank you so much; to my family over here, my loved ones right here. I wanna say a huge thank you to the Mercury for this incredible, incredible prize. I wanna say a thank you to my brother and close collaborator [producer] Inflo – Flo [has] known me since I was so young, he’s stuck by me, we created this album together. There was times in the studio I didn’t know if I was gonna finish this record, I was going through all the emotions … he stuck by me.”
Hailing last night’s fellow nominees, she added: ““All of you guys are incredible, we all made incredible albums, we all change people’s lives with our music and that’s the most important thing, so this is for us really, you know what I’m saying?”
Last night’s ceremony was initially set to take place in September, but was postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Other acts gunning for the award included Yard Act, Self Esteem, Sam Fender, Gwenno, Kojey Radical, Joy Crookes and Harry Styles.