Dance music producer Nia Archives has said the Mercury Prize is important in recognising human art, as she does not believe AI music will last.
Archives, 26, whose real name is Dehaney Hunt, was speaking after being nominated for the 2026 prize, alongside Sir Paul McCartney, Olivia Dean and Raye. It is the second time she has been nominated, following her debut album Silence Is Loud in 2024. Her second album, Emotional Junglist, was released just weeks ago.
Views on AI Music
Archives told the Press Association: “I think it’s really important (to recognise human art at the Mercury Prize). I don’t know if AI music will last to be honest with you, I think it’s quite like a fleeting technology moment. But an award that really recognises albums as a body of work, I think it will forever be important to future generations. I think it’s great to always have this kind of archive to look back at what people are making at that time.”
Second Nomination
The Yorkshire-born DJ said of her nomination: “It’s kind of surreal, but I feel really happy and it’s a really nice moment, especially with the album coming out so recently, I’m really proud to be part of the shortlist. It’s an award that I’ve always really admired, they always shortlist amazing albums, and I think albums are so important as we’re in a bit of a singles era (with) like TikTok music, Spotify, Apple Music, all these things. Streaming has really changed music, not necessarily in a bad way, but I think it’s so great that there’s an award that really recognises the art of an album, and what that body of work means to a lot of people, and it’s great that people are still embracing albums as a long-form project.”
Ceremony Details
The Mercury Prize focuses on the artistic and innovative side of making an album, regardless of commercial performance. The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 22 at the Utilita Arena Newcastle. The event was also held in Newcastle in 2025, its first time outside London, at which Sam Fender won for his album People Watching. Other recent winners include English Teacher, Little Simz, Arlo Parks and Wolf Alice. Along with a trophy, the winner receives £25,000.
