Artists React To Mercury Nominations

The acts up for the Mercury Prize have spoken to MTV News about being nominated and their chances of winning.

 

At the launch event yesterday Bat For Lashes told our reporter that she’s pleased to be up for the award for the second time with her Two Suns record.

 

The star- real name Natasha Khan- said: “This album for me was really quite personal and I put a lot into it and really gave my heart and soul. So to have it recognised is lovely.

 

“I’m like the wise old owl sitting in the corner done this before not going to win it but I’ve done it before.”

 

Asked which other albums on the list she liked Bat For Lashes told us: “I like The Horrors album and Glasvegas. I’m into quite dark gothic music.”

 

Serge from Kasabian said he thought Natasha would take the Mercury Prize when it’s given out in September.

 

Of the group’s ridiculously named new album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum he said: “I think it’s the most complete record we’ve made… I’m glad we’re nominated for our third record. We’ve sort of been building up to it.”

 

Relative unknown Speech Debelle told MTV she deserves to be nominated with more established artists.

 

“I feel real proud. I feel like it’s an achievement, and I feel like I should be nominated. There’s no competition cos nobody could do what I do and I couldn’t do what they do,” the South Londoner explained.