The 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize has been awarded to hip-hop artist Speech DeBelle.
Speech DeBelle has scooped this year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize.
The hip-hop artist became the 17th artist to be recognised by the prestigious award, taking the prize for her album Speech Therapy.
DeBelle, whose real name is Corynne Elliot, saw off competition from bands such The Horrors, Kasabian and Florence and the Machine.
The south London-based singer only released her debut album in June this year and was ranked as an outside favourite to take the Mercury Prize.
In winning the accolade, DeBelle is the first female artist to take home the gong - and the accompanying cheque for £20,000 - since Ms Dynamite in 2002.
Speaking after the London ceremony, the singer revealed that she intends to work with some of the indie world's top stars.
"One of my favourite bands is Kings Of Leon, so hopefully I'm going to work with them," she explained, according to NME.com.
In addition, DeBelle revealed that previous winner Ms Dynamite acted as an inspiration for her.
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