The first major label release from electrifying contemporary jazz ensemble Sons Of Kemet has been shortlisted as one of 12 nominees for this year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize.

Since its release on Universal’s impulse! Records in March this year, Your Queen Is A Reptile has received critical acclaim for both its musical and political stand points, with The Wire naming it “jazz that’s best heard at maximum volume”.

Comprised of Shabaka Hutchings on saxophone, Theon Cross on tuba and double drums from Tom Skinner and Eddie Hick, Your Queen Is A Reptile addresses the British Monarchy, rejecting the idea that some are born better. Instead, Hutchings presents nine alternative and personal queens ranging from Doreen Lawrence to his own Great-Grandmother.

Hutchings was previously nominated in 2016 with another of his ensembles; cosmic jazz trio The Comet Is Coming. He joins an illustrious list of artists nominated twice that includes the likes of Adele, Blur, Oasis, Amy Winehouse, The Streets and James Blake.

jazz that’s best heard at maximum volume               

He said this of Sons Of Kemet’s nomination:

“It’s great to know that our music and our ideas will have the chance to resonate with as wide an audience as the Mercury nominations permits. Our aim is to merge the music and ways of perception associated with histories of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora to the developments happening within the London music scene and propel the results outwards to the world as a force for good.”

The winner of the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize will be announced at an awards ceremony at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Thursday 20th September.

Full list of nominees for 2018 available here: https://www.mercuryprize.com

After a summer touring globally, Sons Of Kemet are set to play a headline show at KOKO, Camden on 23rd October 2018.