Ms. Dynamite Wins 2002 Mercury Music Prize

LONDON, UK (Top 40 Charts) - While the odds were on up-and-coming British garage band the Streets, the 2002 Panasonic Mercury Music Prize went to 21-year-old MC/R&B singer Ms. Dynamite.

The award - which gives a �20,000 prize - was handed out Tuesday (Sept. 17) night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The North Londoner, whose real name is Niomi Daley, won for her debut album, A Little Deeper, released this June and featuring the hit single, "It Takes More."

Aside from the Streets, Ms. Dynamite beat out such heavy contenders as David Bowie, the Doves, the Coral, Electric Soft Parade, Roots Manuva, Beverley Knight, Joanna MacGregor, Guy Barker, the Bees, and Gemma Hayes.

2002 shortlist
Beverley Knight
The Bees
The Coral
David Bowie
Doves
The Electric Soft Parade
Gemma Hayes
Guy Barker
Joanna MacGregor
Ms Dynamite
Roots Manuva
The Streets

Past winners include P.J. Harvey (2001), Badly Drawn Boy (2000), Talvin Singh (1999), Gomez (1998), Roni Size/Reprazent (1997), Pulp (1996), Portishead (1995), M People (1994), Suede (1993), and Primal Scream (1992).