Stormzy and Ed Sheeran go head to head for the Mercury Prize 2017

Other nominees include Blossoms, Alt-J, The XX, J Hus and Sampha

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Ed Sheeran and Stormzy have both found immense success in the charts with their albums '÷' and 'Gang Signs & Prayer'.

The two are among 12 artists nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize, alongside previous winners Alt-J, Kate Tempest, Sampha, Blossoms, Loyle Carner, Dinosaur and The xx to name a few.

Stormzy said on Twitter that he was 'over the moon' with his nomination.

'I put my heart, my soul and my absolute everything into making this album,' he wrote. 'Over the moon right now. Giving God the glory.'

The prestigious award recognises and celebrates the best the UK music scene has to offer and nominees are carefully selected by an independent panel of judges.

The singer Lianne La Havas, one of this year’s judges, said the list reflected the broad and eclectic nature of British music. She said listening to so many albums showed the UK’s “high quality musicianship” and production skill.

“Everything just sounded really good, fundamentally good from the skeleton outwards. I had an amazing time. [Creating the shortlist] was superhard, there were so many albums, but I was surprised at how many I loved … I discovered so much new music.”

The Hyundai Mercury Prize Awards Show will take place at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on Thursday, September 14. Many of the nominated acts are expected to perform on the night. Last year grime artist and rapper Skepta took the crown for his fourth album Konnichiwa, with Benjamin Clementine picking it up in 2015.