Everyone relax: Sampha beat Ed Sheeran to the Mercury Prize

Sampha accepts the Hyundai Mercury Prize 2017. Photo / Getty

Sampha has won the 2017 Mercury Prize, beating big name pop star Ed Sheeran and grime artist Stormzy to the title.

Sampha Sisay won for his debut album Process, which was released earlier this year to critical acclaim.

The singer-songwriter was pitted against artists like Kate Tempest, Stormzy and Dinosaur Jr, as well as previous winners The xx and alt-J.

The award is normally given to a newcomer, so the inclusion of Ed Sheeran - an established pop artist - on the shortlist had caused controversy.

Well done @sampha xxxxx I'm so glad Ed sheeran didn't win

— Innes (@Innescliff) September 14, 2017

Sampha's debut album Process received glowing reviews upon its February release, with the NZ Herald giving it five stars and declaring it "a debut album of breath-taking poise".

Speaking to the nzherald ahead of his May performance at the Powerstation this year, Sisay said the high emotions that run through Process were mined from personal experience.

"They're definitely over-magnified versions of particular emotions. It's like someone who paints a picture or writes a film, some of those feelings are definitely things I've gone through personally."

Sampha's debut came after years of background work with big name acts like Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Drake and Solange.

The Mercury Prize is an annual award honouring the best album from the UK and Ireland.

Winners receive a trophy and £25,000 (NZ$46,000).