Konnichiwa and the 2016 Mercury Prize
Konnichiwa is my fourth album, and the one that won the Mercury Prize. Here is what it did, in plain facts.
When did Konnichiwa come out?
On 6 May 2016, on Boy Better Know, the label I started with my brother Jme. It reached number 2 in the UK albums chart.
Which songs went platinum?
Two of them: "Shutdown" and "That's Not Me". Both had already won at the MOBO Awards before the album was out: "That's Not Me" won Best Video in 2014, and "Shutdown" won Best Song in 2015.
What happened at the Mercury Prize?
Konnichiwa won the 2016 Mercury Prize. David Bowie's Blackstar was on the same shortlist and was widely expected to win, which made the result one of the big surprises of that year.
What came next?
Three BRIT Award nominations in 2017. Then Ignorance Is Bliss in 2019, which also reached number 2 in the UK, and Insomnia with Chip and Young Adz in 2020.
Konnichiwa at a glance
- Released: 6 May 2016
- Label: Boy Better Know
- UK chart: number 2
- Platinum singles: "Shutdown", "That's Not Me"
- Award: Mercury Prize 2016
Where does the merch come in?
The designs in the shop carry that same energy: big, loud words like Psychworld and Love You Die in dripping letters, and a bright heat-map portrait. Merch made to be worn at a show, a rave or a day out.
See every design in one place: shop the collection.