Mercury Prize 2017 Shortlist: Ed Sheeran, Stormzy & The xx Lead Nominations

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Ed Sheeran, arguably the world's biggest male pop star, is among the 12 artists nominated for the 2017 Mercury prize, alongside jazz instrumentalists Dinosaur, who, it is fair to say, are on the emerging side of the music scale.
Sampha, Blossoms, Kate Tempest, J Hus, Loyle Carner and Alt-J have also been nominated for the prestigious annual prize, which recognises the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland over the last year.
The 12-album shortlist is completed by Glass Animals and The Big Moon. The nominations were announced this morning (July 27) at an event in central London.

Check out the full list of nominees below:
Alt-J: 'Relaxer'
Blossoms: 'Blossoms'
Dinosaur: 'Together, As One'
Ed Sheeran: 'Divide'
Glass Animals: 'How To Be A Human Being'
J Hus: 'Common Sense'
Kate Tempest: 'Let Them Eat Chaos'
Loyle Carner: 'Yesterday's Gone'
Sampha: 'Process'
Stormzy: 'Gang Signs & Prayer'
The Big Moon: 'Love In The Fourth Dimension'
The xx: 'I See You'

The Hyundai Mercury Prize Awards Show will take place at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Thursday, September 14. Many of the nominated acts are expected to perform on the night. Skepta won last year's prize with his debut album 'Konnichiwa'.