Kelly Lee Owens has been crowned the winner of this year's Welsh Music Prize for her second album 'Inner Song'. And quite right too.
"It feels amazing", she said, accepting the award. "As a Welsh artist to be recognised by your country, ultimately for me, is the greatest honour. I'm so passionate about Wales and I want everyone to know where I'm from".
The eleventh edition of the prize - which selects the best album by a Welsh artist of the last year - was also the first to come with prize money. Owens takes home £10,000.
On what she plans to do with that money, she said: "Wales has had a tough time, like everywhere with the coronavirus, so I'd love to give some of it to some charities based in Wales".
Co-founder of the prize, Huw Stephens, adds in a statement: "We are THRILLED for Kelly Lee Owens. The judges were all astounded by this album. Kelly Lee Owens has been so critically acclaimed for this record, and we are so happy that she is the 2021 Welsh Music Prize winner.
"We are also THRILLED that Creative Wales are giving the £10,000 prize money – this is typical of the warm, supportive music scene in Wales", he goes on. "Music from Wales is diverse, and of astounding quality".
In addition to Owens, the other nominees were Afro Cluster, The Anchoress, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18, Datblygu, El Goodo, Gruff Rhys, Gwenifer Raymond, Mace The Great, Novo Amor, Private World and Pys Melyn.