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Artist News Awards
Blake the surprise winner of the Mercury Prize
By Chris Cooke | Published on Thursday 31 October 2013
So James Blake was presented with the Mercury Prize last night for his record ‘Overgrown’, a surprise decision from a judging panel possibly keen to combat accusations that they had played it too safe this year with their shortlist by picking an outsider for the actual gong.
Not that Universal-signed Blake is an especially radical winner, though the decision may shut up some of the award’s many detractors. Blake, meanwhile, gave a short but nice acceptance speech, saying: “Hello, I lost a bet. On the other hand I should thank a couple of people. Thank you everyone. Thanks to my parents for showing me how to be self-efficient. Thanks to [band members] Ben, Rob and Dan for showing me the importance of letting other people help you”.