Harry Styles has made the Mercury Prize nominations shortlist for the first time ever.
The former One Direction singer, 28, secured the nomination for his third studio album Harry's House, which has just earned its sixth week at number one on the UK album charts.
Harry's third album has also been at the top of the charts for longer all of One Direction's albums combined.
The Watermelon Sugar singer joins a number of first time nominees on the 12-strong shortlist including Sam Fender, who became emotional as he made his Glastonbury debut by performing on the iconic Pyramid stage earlier this year.
Geordie singer-songwriter Sam, 28, has been nominated for his album Seventeen Going Under.
This year’s shortlist was announced live by Nemone on BBC Radio 6 Music as part of their Mercury Prize shortlist special while a launch event was also hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens on Tuesday.
The 12-strong shortlist also features nominations for Little Simz, Jessie Buckley, and Isle of Wight band Wet Leg.
Little Simz, who is up for the prize for her album Sometimes I May Be An Introvert, was previously nominated on the 2019 shortlist for her album Grey.
The 28-year-old rapper told Radio 6 listeners: “I am feeling grateful; very, very blessed, this is my second time round now.
“When you’re an artist, a creative making art, you just do it because it’s a release.
“I had some things to say and this was my way of expressing it and it’s a blessing people have resonated with it.
“The list is so strong so to be amongst that is definitely an honour. I definitely will carry this energy throughout me today.”
Amongst those on the shortlist is British musician Self Esteem for her second album Prioritise Pleasure as well as duo Nova Twins, Kojey Radical and Welsh musician Gwenno.
Yard Act, Fergus McCreadie and Joy Crookes also made the shortlist for this year's prize, which was awarded to Arlo Parks last year for her debut album Collapsed In Sunbeams.
The shortlist was whittled down by a judging panel including DJ Annie Mac, musician Jamie Cullum, broadcaster Jamz Supernova, songwriter Anna Calvi, broadcaster Danielle Perry and musician Hazel Wilde.
The judges said: “Getting down to 12 albums this year was not easy, simply because there were so many remarkable ones to choose from.
“That serves as proof that British and Irish music thrives during unsettled periods in history, with the albums chosen covering everything from imaginative pop to pioneering rap to Cornish language folk-rock.
“We feel that these 12 amazing albums each have something to say artistically and socially, all in their own unique, enriching ways. Now comes the really hard part… choosing only one overall winner.”
The winner will be announced at the glamorous awards ceremony, which will take place on September 8 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
It will also feature live performances from a number of the shortlisted artists before the winner of the gong is announced.
