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George Michael
George Michael


Background information
Birth name Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
Born June 25, 1963
Born place East Finchley, North London, England
Genre(s) Pop
Dance
Soul
Years active 1980—present
Label(s) Columbia Records
Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Associated acts Wham!
Band Aid
Mutya Buena
Website Website



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Speech Debelle Crowned 2009 Mercury Prize Winner

September 9, 2009
Speech Debelle Crowned 2009 Mercury Prize WinnerSpeech Debelle has won the 2009 Mercury Prize at an awards ceremony in London.

The London rapper’s debut album ‘Speech Therapy’ was one of twelve albums shortlisted for the prize.

Debelle thanked her family and band members as she accepted the prize and the £20,000 winner’s cheque.

“I feel so good. It feels better than I imagined,” she said. “I’m from south London, I don’t normally get emotional, but I feel emotional.”

"This proves if you believe in something and you think you can do it, you can achieve it."

Florence and the Machine were favourite to win the award, while Kasabian, Bat For Lashes and La Roux were also nominated.

Sales boost

Debelle’s album looks set to receive a huge sales boost following her shock triumph.

According to Official Charts Company, ‘Speech Therapy’ is one of the least established albums to have won the Mercury Prize.

Since its release last month, the record has sold fewer than 3,000 copies.

Last year’s winner, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ by Elbow, sold more than 500,000 extra copies after winning last year's prize.

The winner of the Mercury Prize, now in its eightieth year, is selected by industry experts.

(by Jason Gregory)



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