Ezra Collective enjoy 859% album sales and streams boost after winning Mercury Prize
Last week, nine of the shortlisted artists performed to a sold-out Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith at the awards ceremony, before guest presenter and Mercury Prize judge Jamz Supernova announced Ezra Collective as the overall winner.
Ezra Collective won the 2023 Mercury Prize Award for their second studio album, Where I'm Meant To Be. Following their win, Femi Koleoso gave an impassioned speech, which highlighted the importance of community and nurturing young talent.
"Most importantly, really, Ezra Collective represents something really special because we met in a youth club. This moment that we’re celebrating right here is testimony to good, special people putting time and effort into [helping] young people to play music," he said. "Right now, this is not just a result for Ezra Collective – this is not just a result for UK jazz – but this is a special moment for every single organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people playing music," he continued as he highlighted grassroots collectives in London such as Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetika Bloco."
Dr Jo Twist OBE, Chief Executive BPI, which is also home to the Mercury Prize said: “Femi’s acceptance speech was spot on: in highlighting what a showcase the Mercury Prize is of human artistry at its best and most authentic. This extraordinary success requires young people from all backgrounds to have opportunities to learn their craft – within schools and in community spaces – so they can go on to develop music careers, supported by the investment our record label members make into the talent pipeline. Our congratulations to Ezra Collective and all the shortlisted artists.”
According to BPI analysis of Official Charts Company data, Where I’m Meant To Be has enjoyed a remarkable increase in its combined sales and streams – up 859% between Friday and Sunday (8-10 Sep) compared to the total it achieved in the entire chart week leading up to the ceremony. The figure is more impressive still for physical album sales and downloads – up 6,012% compared to the same three day period the week before, while audio streams over the period rose by 1,960%.
The growth in demand has, according to Official Charts midweek data, seen the album surge up the Official Albums Chart from outside the Top 200 to challenge for a Top 20 placing when the next Official Albums Chart announcement on Friday.
The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, provided live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as online and on social media. Audiences can catch up on BBC Four’s coverage on BBC iPlayer. A Mercury Prize 2023 collection is also available on BBC Sounds, which includes a special Mercury Prize edition of New Music Fix Daily - featuring live performances from the Awards Show and interviews with the shortlist.
Where I'm Meant To Be is out now.
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