The prize was conceived by Popjustice founder Peter Robinson in 2003 as a reaction to what he perceived as the pompous and elitist nature of the existing Mercury Prize, which recognises the best album of the previous year, and in particular its exclusion of pop music acts in favour of those from more esoteric genres.
[2][3] The winning entry is chosen by a panel of Popjustice readers, who apply for the position via the website.
The judges meet in a pub to debate the merits of the songs shortlisted by Robinson and eliminate them, often based on bizarre or arbitrary criteria, until a winner is chosen.
[4][5] In 2009 Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud attended the pub in person to collect the prize of a £20 note in a plastic container.
The next highest number of nominations for an act is five for Dua Lipa, Calvin Harris and Mark Ronson.
Girls Aloud
(pictured in 2013) have won the award five times, more than any other act.
Rachel Stevens
has been nominated for the award four times as a solo artist and was also a member of the group
S Club
, who were nominated in 2003.
Amy Winehouse
received the award in 2007 and was nominated the next year in 2008.
Rapper
Example
was the first male winner of the award. Prior to his win in 2010,
Girls Aloud
had received the award five times and female soloists had won twice.
Girl group
the Saturdays
has won the award once out of four nominations in 2011.
Will Young
became the second male winner of the award when he received it in 2012 in his third nomination.
Lauren Mayberry, lead vocalist of 2013 winners
Chvrches
Little Mix
have won the award on three occasions and share the record of most nominations overall with
Girls Aloud
with eight nominations.
Former
One Direction
member
Zayn
won on his first solo nomination in 2016 after receiving three nominations as part of the group.
