Plan B among nominees for Britain's Mercury Prize

The Associated Press, Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 11:01am (PDT)

LONDON (AP) — Rapper Plan B and singer-songwriter Richard Hawley are the favorites among 12 finalists for Britain's prestigious Mercury music prize.

Plan B is nominated for the soundtrack to his film "Ill Manors" and Hawley for his album "Standing at the Sky's Edge."

The award was established in 1992 to honor the best album of the year by a British or Irish band.

The shortlist is heavy on emerging talents — eight of the nominated albums are debuts — and ranges across genres, from jazz-rock act Roller Trio to folk musicians Sam Lee and Ben Howard.

The other finalists announced Wednesday are Maccabees, Field Music, Jessie Ware, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka, Django Django and Alt-J.

The winner of the 20,000 pound ($32,000) prize will be announced Nov. 1.