Snooty Mercury Music Prize goes pop as Little Mix’s Jade & Raye lead nominations – while Macca, 84, get first ever nod

THE shortlist for the highbrow Mercury Prize is dominated by pop acts for the first time. Sir Paul McCartney, 84, has finally made it as one of the contenders, while Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall is also in the running. Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall is in the running for the Mercury Prize Credit: Splash The shortlist for the best British and Irish album of the year also includes Raye Credit: Getty The 12-strong shortlist for the best British and Irish album of the year also includes Raye and Olivia Dean. Macca, nominated for his acclaimed 20th solo studio album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, said: “What a brilliant and exciting surprise to be part of such an incredible list. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! “To have The Boys of Dungeon Lane recognised alongside so many brilliant artists and albums is a huge honour. “I must say the reaction has been really special. So this news has totally blown me away.” Read more on Mercury Prize Jade, 33, nominated for her debut solo album That’s Showbiz Baby!, said “a few cheers and tears were shed” when she found out she was on the list. She added: “I really pushed myself to create a sound that would cement me as a solo artist, writing about my experiences in the music industry (the good, the bad, the ugly) and how I’ve navigated life as a pop girly. “Thank you so much for this recognition.” The Art of Loving by Olivia, 27, which is the best-selling album of 2026 so far, is also in the hunt, as is This Music May Contain Hope by Raye, 28. Most read in Showbiz Sir Paul McCartney, 84, has finally made it as one of the prize’s contenders Credit: PA Olivia Dean has also made it onto the 12-strong shortlist Credit: Getty Florence + The Machine are nominated for their 2025 release Everybody Scream, and former winners Suede are on the list with Antidepressants. The prize, which was first awarded in 1992, is open to albums featuring majority British or Irish performers, but US singer Olivia Rodrigo, 23, is recognised because she features on the War Child charity album Help(2), which is in the running for the award. Irish indie singer Dove Ellis is also on that record, as well as being nominated for his debut album, Blizzard. The other shortlisted acts are Nia Archives (for Emotional Junglist), Dave (The Boy Who Played the Harp), Kojey Radical (Don’t Look Down) and Knats (A Great Day in Newcastle). US singer Olivia Rodrigo is recognised because she features on the War Child charity album Help(2) Credit: Getty Florence Welch’s band Florence + The Machine are nominated for their 2025 release Everybody Scream Credit: Getty Stan Woodward, from Knats, told The Sun they started screaming when they were given the news, adding: “This guy across the street was like, ‘Give us half’ as if we’d won the lottery.” But surprising snubs include West End Girl by Lily Allen and Harry Styles’ Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. The ceremony will be at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on October 22, with the winner receiving £25,000. Comment now