Dave, British-Nigerian rapper, bags Mercury prize for best album in UK

David Orobosa Omoregie, British-Nigerian rapper and songwriter better known as Dave, has won the 2019 Hyundai Mercury-prize for best album in the United Kingdom.

He won the prize with his album ‘psychodrama’ which was released in March. The album sold over 129,354 copies to date.

“‘Psychodrama’ is the musical equivalent of a literary masterpiece: a conceptual album about Dave’s experience of growing up in South London, structured in the form of a therapy session, which takes a deeply personal story and gives it universal relevance,” the judging panel said in a statement.

More then 200 albums by British and Irish artists were submitted with a UK release date between July 21, 2018 and July 19, 2019.

The Streatham rapper, born to Nigerian parents, beat the likes of Foals, Anna Calvi and The 1975 to win the prize for best British album.

While accepting the prize, Dave told the audience at the Hammersmith Apollo that he was at short of words.

He also invited his mother up to share the stage with him as he paid tribute to Christopher, his brother, who is serving a life sentence for murder.

“I don’t know what to say. I want to thank everyone that made this happen. I want to thank all the exceptional musicians that came tonight. I did not expect this,” he said.

“I want to thank my brother Christopher that inspired this album. This is your story that has been told and even though you can’t be with us today, I know you are watching this bro and I am so grateful.”

In her remark, Annie Mac, Mercury Prize judge, said the album “showed remarkable levels of musicianship. It showed true artistry, courage and honesty. It is simply exceptional.”