Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama speaks out on being unable to enter Mercury Prize

Following the release of her debut album SAWAYAMA - hailed by Sir Elton John as “the strongest album of the year so far” - British-Japanese artist Rina Sawayama has spoken out on the nationality clause that rendered her ‘ineligible’ for two major music awards, the Mercury Prize and the BRITs, because she does not hold a UK passport, despite living in the country since she was a toddler.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalist Zing Tsjeng and VICE of her decision to speak out on the clause: “I don't ever want anyone to ever feel like this, when they’ve worked so hard on something and everyone can see that you’ve worked really hard, but the people who reward excellence in this country don’t.”

Click here for the full VICE article that’s gotten people - including musician Sarathy Korwar - talking.