The 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize Album of the Year shortlist will be revealed on Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC Radio 6 Music from 10.30am to 11.30am on Thursday 23 July.
The shortlist is chosen by an independent judging panel and recognises artistic achievement across a range of genres. Albums by British artists with a UK release date between 20 July 2019 and 17 July 2020 are eligible for the 2020 Prize.
This year’s judges are: Anna Calvi – Musician & Songwriter; Annie Mac – Broadcaster & DJ; Danielle Perry – Broadcaster & Writer; Gaz Coombes - Musician & Songwriter; Gemma Cairney – Broadcaster & DJ; Jamie Cullum - Musician & Broadcaster; Jeff Smith - Head of Music, 6 Music & Radio 2; Jorja Smith – Musician & Songwriter; Mike Walsh - Music Consultant, Kendal Calling/bluedot Festivals, War Child; Phil Alexander – Creative Director, Kerrang!/Contributing Editor, Mojo; Tshepo Mokoena – Editorial Director, VICE.com; Will Hodgkinson - Chief Rock & Pop Critic, The Times. The Chair of the judging panel is Jeff Smith.
David Wilkinson, chairman, Mercury Prize, said: ‘This has been a difficult & challenging year, so we are grateful to all the artists & labels that have supported the 2020 Hyundai Mercury Prize by entering their albums. Thanks also to the hardworking judges who have spent the last few months in lockdown listening to all the albums that were entered. Creatively the past year has been an amazing year for British music – so choosing just 12 Albums of the Year will be tough for the judging team. We’re looking forward to this year’s shortlist being announced by Lauren Laverne on her BBC Radio 6 Music show on 23 July.’
Matt Dunnakey, head of marketing, Hyundai Motor UK, said: 'Whilst our title partnership of the Hyundai Mercury Prize has been integral to growing awareness of our brand here in the UK over the past few years, we are also pleased that our support has enabled continued innovation within British music. It has been a challenging time for us all in the last few months and there is no doubt that music in all its forms has helped us get through it. We look forward to seeing the highlights in the 2020 shortlist.’
For the first time, YouTube Music will come on board as the Prize’s digital music partner, partnering with the Hyundai Mercury Prize from the shortlist announcement onwards.'
