Contributors to charity Help (2) album ‘elated’ with Mercury Prize nomination

Artists who contributed to the Help (2) charity compilation have said they are “elated” that the record has been nominated for the Mercury Prize.Help (2) is only the second compilation to receive a nod for the award, after its first volume in 1995, and features contributions from the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Arctic Monkeys and Pulp.The record raises money for War Child, to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children involved in war.Lily Fontaine, lead singer of English Teacher, who contributed the song Parasite to the album with Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, said: “I’m elated for everyone that was involved in it, so many people put so much work into it, across the spectrum of the British and international music scene.Kayus Bankole from Young Fathers at the announcement of the shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize (Ian West/PA)PA Wire“I think that one of the beautiful things about this album, aside from the fact it’s got music from a broad range of amazing artists, is that it’s really telling a narrative that is important to people here in the UK at the moment.”Fontaine’s band won the Mercury Prize in 2024 for their debut album This Could Be Texas, and the Yorkshire-born singer said the award had “done wonders” for the group.Kayus Bankole of Young Fathers, whose band contributed the song Don’t Fight The Young to Help (2), added: “I just feel honoured to be part of a great project, because War Child is a charity that the whole band really strongly cares about.“And we don’t think that any child should ever have to be part of any war, so it was just a great project to be on, and the song just came organically and that was it really.”Young Fathers also scooped the Mercury Prize for their debut album Dead in 2014, and were nominated in 2023 for the album Heavy Heavy.Help (2) has been nominated for the prize, which celebrates the art and innovation of album curation.Lily Fontaine (Ian West/PA)PA WireThe awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 22 at the Utilita Arena Newcastle.The event was also held in Newcastle in 2025, its first time outside London, at which Sam Fender won for his album People Watching.Read MoreOther winners in recent years include Little Simz, Arlo Parks and Wolf Alice.Along with a trophy, the winner of the Mercury Prize receives £25,000.