James Blake beats favourites Laura Mvula and David Bowie to Mercury Prize

James Blake has won this year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize with his second album, Overgrown.

12:08 31 October 2013

Electronic artist James Blake has won this year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize with his second album Overgrown, which judges described as “inventive, poetic, and poignant.” They added that “James Blake makes music like no-one else.”

Blake beat favourites Laura Mvula and David Bowie to take home the £20,000 prize.

Blake gave thanks to his parents during his brief acceptance speech. Saying, thank you “for showing me the importance of being self-sufficient.”

Asked how it felt to beat Bowie, he replied: "I don't think I beat him.

"A lot of people do their best work when they're young - and it's always disappointing when they don't keep going and don't keep innovating. So David Bowie's an inspiration to people like me."

He added: "I feel like I deserved it as much as anyone else did."

Blake has been nominated in 2011 for Mercury Prize for his self-titled album.

Meanwhile, his win did not receive standing ovation from the audience who were mostly rooting for Laura Mvula. There was also a strong support for Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys, who have received across-the-board praise for their fifth album.

Talking about the result to BBC, Mvula said she was happy with the result. She added that BBC "the nomination itself felt like an award.”