Katy B: Mercury Prize Winner 2011 Should Be Female

Katy B has revealed that she wants a female to win this year's Mercury Prize award.

The singer is nominated for her debut album 'On A Mission'  alongside the likes of Adele, Elbow, Tinie Tempah, James Blake, PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi and Metronomy.

"It's great to see so many strong females nominated so I want a girl to win,'' Katy told the Daily Star.

She added: "It'll be great to see Adele again on the night as we went to school together, but I don't see it like a competition. There's so many people nominated and just one prize so it's nice just to be recognised."

In order to be eligible to receive a nomination, the album must have been released over the past 12 months.

Last year's Mercury Prize was won by The xx, with their hailed self-titled debut album.

The 2011 winner will be unveiled at a ceremony in London on September 6.

The 2011 Mercury Prize nominees are:

Anna Calvi – 'Anna Calvi'
Elbow – 'Build A Rocket Boys!'
James Blake – 'James Blake'
Katy B – 'On A Mission'
Metronomy – 'The English Riviera'
PJ Harvey – 'Let England Shake'
Tinie Tempah – 'Disc-Overy'
Everything Everything – 'Man Alive '
King Cresote & John Hopkins - 'Diamond Mine'
Adele – '21'
Ghost Poet - 'Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam'
Gwilym Simcock - 'Good Days at Schloss Elmau'

Mercury Prize Nominees 2011