Ezra Collective won the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album “Where I’m Meant To Be” last night (September 7). Read his full acceptance speech below.
The jazz collective were among the award winners at tonight’s (September 7) ceremony, beating favorites Jockstap, Loyle Carner and Young Fathers at London’s Eventim Apollo.
After Jamz Supernova announced the winners, Femi Koleoso, the group’s leader and drummer, thanked his manager, fans and others, before expressing his gratitude to music education institutions across the UK who helped with them the band members, and thousands of others, launched a musical career.
Watch and read the full speech below.
“First of all, let me thank God because if a Mercury Prize-winning jazz group doesn’t believe you believe in God, I don’t know what will. Second, there are five of us represented right now, but Ezra Collective is a whole family.
“We have to make some noise for our super mom, our manager, Amy. I’m talking about Marco, Jeremy, Temi, the whole live team. A big round of applause for all the mothers and fathers represented in the band.
“The most important thing is that Ezra Collective represents something really special, because we met at a youth club. This moment we are celebrating right here is a testament to good, special people who dedicate time and effort to . [ayudar] young people play music.
“Right now, it’s not just a result for Ezra Collective, it’s not just a result for British jazz, but it’s a special moment for all organizations across the country who dedicate their efforts and their time to young people playing music.
“A round of applause for Tomorrow’s Warriors, Kinetika Bloco, BRIT School, ELAM (East London Arts and Music), Jubilee Youth and AudioActive. Let me tell you something very serious: we have something special in the UK. There is something special We have young musicians, so let’s continue to support it. EZ for the world.”
Speaking to NME on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, the band talked about what they would do if they won the Mercury Prize.
Koleoso said, “I’ll probably give the guys a good hug and then we’ll go from there. We’ll probably book an Uber to somebody’s house. I don’t know, man, we might even go to McDonald’s. 24 hour a day and watch it.” , You know?
“I want to say McFlurry’s everywhere and then call it a day. I don’t know if you can really plan too hard.”
He added: “McDonald’s is in the Borough Road Retail Park, it’s like a club! It’s very atmospheric, you can go there at 3:00, you can get there at 4:00 – let’s go there. That’s what we’re doing!
“We’re going to go there because there’s a 24-hour Krispy Kreme across the street. Legendary. The first in the country… So, yeah, we’ll probably go there and see what happens!”
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