In a recent Vice interview, British artist Rina Sawayama openly discussed her ineligibility for the Mercury Prize due to a nationality clause. Despite its critical acclaim, her debut album SAWAYAMA did not receive a nomination, as nominated artists must "hold a passport for either the United Kingdom or Ireland and/or a birth certificate from the United Kingdom or Ireland ('British' or 'Irish' respectively)."

However, this definition of British clearly and wrongfully excludes artists like Rina. Zing Tsjeng, who penned the Vice article, writes: "Rina is one of the thousands of people in the UK who have indefinite leave to remain (ILR). People in this visa category are, in many ways, treated identically to British citizens. Some can’t vote in a general election, but all of them have permanent residency here and a right to live and work in the country. Many, like Rina, have spent most of their lives in the UK and consider themselves British."

Thus, we demand that major British music awards, including the Mercury Prize and BRITs, change their discriminatory eligibility rules to include immigrants who contribute to the UK culture and economy, regardless of whether or not they hold a British passport.

#sawayamaisbritish

For more information, please read the full Vice article here:

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/g5p8gj/mercury-prize-brits-rina-sawayama