You should know about... Speech Debelle

She once lived homeless on the streets, now Corynne Elliot, aka Speech Debelle, has won the Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize for her debut album Speech Therapy. We find out what the hype’s about.

London rapper Speech Debelle won the Barclaycard Mercury Prize last night for her album Speech Therapy, an announcement that might surprise those unfamiliar with her work. The 26-year-old singer from Croydon beat the bookies’ favourites and received rapturous applause from the audience for her rendition of her song The Key.

Debelle’s album and lyrics are inspired by the time that she spent on the streets from the age of 19. The official charts company says that Speech Therapy, which has sold less than 3,000 copies, is one of the least established albums to have won the prize.

When the shortlist was announced back in February the judging panel described Speech’s album as “a remarkable new voice in British hip-hop, tough, warm and reflective; wonderfully supple rhymes and beautifully subtle music.”

However, last night, Twitter was aflutter with fans of Florence And The Machine, La Roux and the like, claiming that they had been robbed.

@DavidGibb So Speech Debelle won the Mercury Award. I have no idea who she is and I don't like her music, but I guess that's the point..?

@fionamad Still very very disappointed with the Mercury awards result - waste of everyone's effort and time. Speech Debelle! - compared 2 the others!?

@matt_mcmullen Well pleased that speech debelle won mercury music awards, great album!

What do you think of Speech’s album? We’ll leave you with her video to The Key to decide for yourself.