'They can lose my number': Laura Mvula claims she was 'robbed' of Album Of The Year gong at Mercury Prize awards after losing out to Arlo Parks

Laura Mvula has said she was 'robbed' of the Hyundai Mercury Prize during the awards ceremony in London on Thursday.

The Got Me hitmaker, 35, was among the 12 shortlisted acts in contention for the prestigious Album of the Year prize with her acclaimed LP, Pink Noise, however, she lost out to Arlo Parks' studio album Collapsed In Sunbeams.

And while the singer-songwriter has insisted she is happy for the 21-year-old star, she's frustrated that her record was not the judging panel's overall winner.

ADVERTISEMENT
'They can lose my number': Laura Mvula has said she was 'robbed' of the Album Of The Year gong at the Hyundai Mercury Prize awards ceremony in London on Thursday after losing out to Arlo Parks

Taking to Twitter after performing at the awards show at Hammersmith's Eventim Apollo, Laura wrote: 'I get robbed. A lot,' before adding: 'Mercury Prize can lose my number.'

And responding to a follower who told her to be happy for Arlo, she replied: 'You miss my point.'

The BRIT Award-winner received a winner’s trophy and a cheque for £25,000, before she also performed a song titled Too Good, which was taken from the winning album.

In her emotional speech, Arlo said: 'Wow, I’m completely speechless. I don’t have the words.

Dismayed: The hitmaker, 35, was among the 12 shortlisted acts in contention for the prize with her LP, Pink Noise, however Arlo, 21, (pictured) reigned victorious with her album Collapsed In Sunbeams

'It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work to get here and there were moments where I wasn’t sure I would make it through. But I’m here. Thank you very much.'

The judging panel - which included 2020 winner Michael Kiwanuka - said of their decision: 'It was extremely difficult to choose a winner of the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize. There were so many strong albums, of such diversity and character.

'But in the end, we decided that Arlo Parks was an extremely worthy winner. 

'Addressing such complex issues as mental health and sexuality with real empathy, displaying a lyrical wisdom that belied her 21 years, with Collapsed In Sunbeams, Arlo Parks has created an album that has captured the spirit of the year in a positive, forward-thinking fashion. 

Gutted: Taking to Twitter after performing at the awards show at Hammersmith's Eventim Apollo, Laura wrote: 'I get robbed. A lot,' before adding: 'Mercury Prize can lose my number'
Ouch: And responding to a follower who told her to be happy for Arlo, she replied: 'You miss my point'

'It has the ability to reach out and remind a wider audience of the timeless art of the album. Arlo is an artist who connects deeply with her generation and reflects the plurality of contemporary British life.'

ADVERTISEMENT

On the panel was Anna Calvi, Annie Mac, Danielle Perry, Gemma Cairney, Hazel Wilde, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Smith, Michael, Mike Walsh, Phil Alexander, Tshepo Mokoena, Will Hodgkinson, and Jeff Smith. 

Arlo - real name Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho - collected her award to a standing ovation. 

She also beat off competition from the likes of Wolf Alice, Celeste, Berwyn, Ghetts, Hannah Peel, Nubya Garcia, Sault, and Mogwai to be named the recipient of the Mercury Prize.

Also nominated were Black Country, New Road and Floating Points, and Pharoah Sanders and The London Symphony Orchestra.

Winner: The BRIT Award-winner received a winner’s trophy and a cheque for £25,000, before she also performed a song titled Too Good, which was taken from the winning album
Applause: Arlo - real name Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho - collected her award to a standing ovation
Shock: In her emotional speech, Arlo said: 'Wow, I’m completely speechless. I don’t have the words'
Appreciation: She added: 'It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work to get here, and there were moments where I wasn't sure I would make it though, so thank you very much'

Presenter Annie Mac announced Arlo as this year's winner on behalf of the judging panel alongside host Lauren Laverne, with other attendees including Clara Amfo, singer Celeste and Hannah Peel. 

The show featured live performances from the artists shortlisted for the 2021 Album Of The Year gong.

Short films were shown about the albums by SAULT and Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The LSO.

Speaking last month about being this year's host, BBC Music 6 DJ Lauren, 43, said: 'I'm delighted to be hosting the 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize Awards Show.

Announcement: Presenter Annie Mac announced Arlo as this year's winner on behalf of the judging panel (pictured with Clara Amfo)
Stylish display: Singer Celeste (left) put on a stylish display
Beautiful: The talented musician wore a beautiful gown
Dapper: Joff Oddie from band Wolf Alice cut a dapper figure
Short list: The short list saw Scottish post-rock group Mogwai (pictured) score their first nomination, more than 25 years after they were founded in Glasgow
Performance: Black Country, New Road also performed
Main woman: Lauren Laverne fronted the ceremony
Wow: Musician Nubya Garcia wore a striking green dress by Bottega Veneta
Serenading: The star serenaded the audience with her talent
Beaming: The star beamed from ear to ear
Friends: Gemma Cairney and Annie Mac posed for photos together
Rocking out: Wolf Alice performed their hits
Taking to the stage: Celeste dropped jaws with her vocal range
Pink: The rising star rocked an immaculate pink manicure

'It's a fantastic shortlist showcasing the incredible creativity of the British & Irish music scene – and I'm looking forward to seeing some amazing live performances at the show.' 

Laura secured her third nomination with Pink Noise, for which she eschewed her classical influences in favour of 1980s soul and pop.

All three of her studio albums have been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize but she is yet to win.

ADVERTISEMENT

The shortlist also saw Scottish post-rock group Mogwai score their first nomination, more than 25 years after they were founded in Glasgow.

As The Love Continues, their 10th record, also earned them their first number one in February this year.

Standing tall: Musician Hannah Peel wowed in glittery silver boots
Time to perform: Hannah Peel also took to the stage
Incredible: Laura Mvula looked incredible while performing

Their previous chart peak had come in 2017 when they reached number six with Every Country's Sun.

Prior to that only one of their records had cracked the top 10.

Both post-rock band Black Country, New Road and jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia also earned nominations for their debut albums.

Michael won last year's Mercury Prize with his third album Kiwanuka, fending off competition from Stormzy, Laura Marling and Dua Lipa, before becoming a new addition to the judging panel.

Bold: Annie Mac opted for a bold red dress
Judge: Judge Jamie Cullum cut a trendy figure
High spirits: Ghetts appeared in high sprits while posing with a guest
Shades on: Lil Simz looked FROW-ready and wore sunglasses inside
Red's the word: Jack Saunders was also rocking bright red hair
Judges: Judges Danielle Perry, Mike Walsh, Jeff Smith, Phil Alexander, Jamie Cullum, Will Hodgkinson, Gemma Cairney and Annie Mac pose together

Most Read News

Is this Britain's most bitter neighbour dispute? Father-of-five who was jailed and handed £475,000...

50 Cent's baby momma Daphne Joy is named as Diddy's 'SEX WORKER' in bombshell lawsuit from...

UK weather: Storm Nelson batters the country with map showing where 70mph winds, heavy rain, hail...

The Gogglebox stars lost over the years: Famous faces on Channel 4 hit no longer with us remembered...

Primary school 'on lockdown' as armed police descend - with parents told to take students to main...

Georgia Harrison bravely condemns Stephen Bear's 'awful crime' outside court - as shamed reality...

October 7 terrorist's shocking video testimony is revealed by Israel as he describes sexually...

Man is arrested over death of Gogglebox and CBB star George Gilbey: Police detain man in his 40s on...

RICHARD EDEN: ​The very telling reason why Harry and Meghan should now seek forgiveness from...

Shocked doctor discovers 30-YEAR build-up of smegma under the foreskin of married man who was...

Stephen Bear protests his innocence at revenge porn confiscation hearing in women's loafers: Ex...

'It's a great sadness that I cannot be with you all': Charles vows to continue serving 'with my...

Sam Bankman-Fried sentencing: FTX fraudster vows to appeal his prison sentences after he is jailed...

Major incident declared as three inmates and three staff at HMP Lewes are rushed to hospital after...

Storm Nelson's 70mph gales batter Britain: Terrifying moment easyJet plane aborts Gatwick landing at...

Storm Nelson sparks getaway chaos: Millions thrown into Easter holiday hell as 80mph winds cancel...