Mercury prize 2019: Dave wins for Psychodrama, plus all the action live
(The Guardian Culture News)

Streatham MC beats Idles and Slowthai for the most prestigious award in British music - follow our coverage here 10.24pm BST It´s a hugely, hugely deserving winner of the 2019 Mercury prize. Psychodrama straddles so much ground, zooming from grand black historical narratives to ultra-intimate stories of lives lived hand to mouth on the streets of south London. Written after he had already become famous, he seems wretched amid his success, traumatised by the poverty he´s only just stepped up from, and jaded by the sex and money he´s stepped into. And all of it with such pinpoint exactitude to his flow, such clear-headedness even when the road ahead seems fogged. It´s often heavy going - a totally different kind of catharsis to the Idles or Slowthai albums for instance. But it´s another British rap classic anointed by the Mercury judges, that is certainly the equal of former winners like Dizzee Rascal´s Boy in Da Corner or Skepta´s Konnichiwa. 10.18pm BST Dave looks ecstatic as he hugs anyone in his vicinity, and steps up. `I don´t know what to say,` he says. `I want to firstly thank God. I want to invite my mum up on stage.` She comes up in a fabulous print dress and looks so chuffed. `I want to thank everyone that made this happen, I want to thank all of the exceptional musicians who performed tonight... I respect you all so highly.` He picks out Little Simz, Slowthai and Nao for special mentions, and thanks, `my mum, my family, my friends`. And then finally pays tribute to his brother, who is currently in prison - a phone call from him closes out Psychodrama, and it´s incredibly moving every time you hear it. `Even though you can´t be here today, I know you´re watching this bro. I´m so grateful.` He picks up the mic again for another performance of Psycho. Continue reading...