Ezra Collective’s Mercury win is no surprise. God put music in human hearts

Even in an increasingly secular age, music and faith are inextricably woven together, says Pete Moorey. We’re drawn to music with Christian roots because it offers a counter-cultural message of hope to those who may not otherwise be interested in coming to church 

“If a jazz band winning the Mercury Prize doesn’t make you believe in God, I don’t know what will.”

As Ezra Collective’s drummer, Femi Koleoso, accepted one of the UK’s most prestigious awards – the Mercury Music Prize for album of the year - his first words of thanks were to God.

To cynical Brits, thanking God at award ceremonies may sound like a cliché. We hear it from American musicians and actors at the Oscars and the Grammys, but almost never at the Brit Awards or the Baftas.