Ghetts on the Mercury Prize, music and ‘Supacell’

Ghetts has spoken to NME about self-belief, being nominated for the 2024 Mercury Prize, his work acting in hit show Supacell, and still fighting for justice for Stephen Lawrence.

The rapper was appearing on the red carpet of the launch of the Mercury Prize yesterday (Thursday July 25), where it was announced that he’d been shortlisted for his acclaimed 2024 album ‘On Purpose With Purpose‘ – facing off competition from records by the likes of Charli XCX, CMAT, The Last Dinner Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Beth Gibbons, Barry Can’t Swim and more.

With his second consecutive nomination, the rapper and actor said he felt “absolutely amazing” to be up for it again – while tipping friend, collaborator and fellow nominee Berwyn to take home the prize this year.

“I just create music, man – for the love, for the art,” he told NME. “I love music, I love listening to it, I love creating it. The story with this [album] is about a man finding purpose. The last one [2021’s ‘Conflict Of Interest‘] was about a very conflicted human being, which I still am, but in that conflict we still must find purpose as humans.

“It’s not our purpose to make money, pay bills and die. That’s where I was at. OK, you can make money – you can make a lot of money and live a lavish life – but what are you doing? It might be someone’s purpose just to love. It might be someone’s purpose to connect the dots. It’s something that feels more fulfilling than what we do day to day.”

And has he found a new sense of purpose out of the success of his acting career appearing in Supacell?

“It feels good to have success in another area where the door was probably opened by music, he said. Is more acting on the way? Perhaps Hollywood is calling?

“God willing, man,” he replied. “It’s something that I enjoy and it’s something I want to do further.”

September will see  Ghetts appear alongside D Double E, Mahalia, Nao, and Wretch 32 at the ‘More Life: Pass The Mic’ concert in memory of Stephen Lawrence – the teenager murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1993 while waiting for a bus in southeast London.

“The show is going to be a great moment,” added Ghetts. “I’m proud to be part of something that addresses these issues via music – even though you wish it never happened, you wish you didn’t have to be part of this, you wish Stephen Lawrence was still alive. He’s not, so we’re going to represent. There’s still progress to be made.”

The winner of the 2024 Mercury Prize will be announced in September. The ‘More Life’ concert takes place at The O2 in London on Friday September 13. Visit here for tickets and more information.