Rina Sawayama successful in changing Mercury Prize eligibility rules


Rina Sawayama by Thurstan Redding

Rina Sawayama by Thurstan Redding




The debut Rina Sawayama album missed out on a coveted Mercury Prize nomination last year.

Rina Sawayama has affected some significant change to the rules governing which artists are eligible for both the Mercury Prize and the British-specific categories at the Brit Awards.

Despite being a resident in the UK for over two decades, dual citizenship hasn’t been an option for Sawayama due to rules set by Japan. This made the artist ineligible for the British and Irish-specific Mercury Prize shortlist.

After a passionate campaign, this is now no longer the case, the BPI agreeing to a change which in future will make any musician who has lived in the UK for five years able to be considered for two of the country’s biggest award ceremonies.

“Without your collective voice this wouldn’t have happened,” she’s responded on social media.

“In my 26th year of living in the UK I’m so proud that I can make this systemic change for future generations, so that in years to come we can see a more diverse definition of British musical excellence.”


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