The 2019 nominations for the UK's coveted Mercury Prize—given to the best album released by a British or Irish artist annually—has been announced.

This year's shortlist is a close race that includes a diverse group of musicians across several genres, notably the British-Nigerian MC Little Simz, who was one of OkayAfrica's 100 Women honorees this year and is nominated for her album GREY Area, as well as fellow British-Nigerian rapper Dave, the buzzing rapper behind the hit "Location," featuring Burna Boy, who earned a nomination for his debut album Psychodrama. Both albums received critical acclaim upon their release.