Stormzy favourite for 2017 Mercury Prize after shortlist announced
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The Hyundai Mercury Prize often throws up a few surprises when the shortlist is announced, and this year is no different.
Alongside the expected nominees such as Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and The xx, there’s also Dinosaur and The Big Moon, both of whom will fancy their chances at a long price.
Unsurprisingly it is the aforementioned Stormzy, one of the stars of 2017, who our traders fancy to walk away with the prize.
The popular grime artist has taken 2017 by storm with his album, Gang Signs and Prayer, taking top spot on the UK Album Chart in March.
It received widespread critical acclaim and achieved the feat of being the first grime album ever to go to number one in the UK.
Our traders like his odds and have priced the 23-year-old up accordingly at 7/2.
Ed Sheeran is also in the mix and while it should come as no surprise that the singer is nominated, his odds may cause some shock among punters.
The mop-headed ginger sensation saw his album Divide stay at the top of the UK Album chart for nine consecutive weeks, followed by a further five weeks shortly after.
We price him up at a hard to resist 14/1.
At shorter odds is Sampha. The Londoner is nominated for his debut studio album, Process, which bears the artist’s soul in what is a powerful and emotional portrayal of his own inner turmoil.
We have him as second favourite at 4/1, but we don’t expect that price to last for long.
Another fancied pick is J Hus. We make the Stratford-born artist a 9/1 shot to walk away with the prize.
Meanwhile the youthful Loyle Carner could also spring a shock at 8/1 with his youthful brand of hip hop.
Previous winners The xx and Alt-J are also in the mix, but with no artist ever having won the award twice, we’re sceptical as to whether the 7/1 and 8/1 shots have a chance this year.
Ladbrokes Latest Betting:
2017 Mercury Music Prize
Stormzy – 7/2
Sampha – 4/1
Kate Tempest – 6/1
The xx – 7/1
Alt-J – 8/1
Loyle Carner – 8/1
J Hus – 9/1
Glass Animals – 12/1
Ed Sheeran – 14/1
Blossoms – 16/1
Dinosaur – 22/1
The Big Moon – 28/1
Click here for all the latest 2017 Mercury Music Prize.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
