Mercury Prize 2015: Why musicians love the award

On Friday night one act will win the 2015 Mercury Prize and take home that sharp and heavy trophy.

Year after year it comes under criticism for either being too worthy, too safe or ignoring genres such as metal - and this year grime.

But for many artists in the UK and Ireland it is the one award they really want to win.

"That was the one I wanted to be nominated for," Laurie Vincent from Slaves told Newsbeat.

"That was the pipe dream, let us do an album and get nominated for the Mercury Prize. I am an ambitious person, for me that is the one."

Take our quiz: How well do you know all previous 23 Mercury Prize winners?

Watch Mistajam explain what it is like to be a Mercury judge

"It was a massive surprise," said Theo Ellis from Wolf Alice who are nominated for their debut album My Love Is Cool.

"It was almost overwhelming, I remember genuinely gasping, it is the highlight of our year."

But for the 12 delighted acts nominated, there are many who hoped to make it on to the list, but didn't.

See all the nominees in this YouTube video.

BBC Music has lots more information about all the nominees.

Many people expected Foals to be recognised for their most well-received album so far, What Went Down.

Bassist Edwin Congreave admitted they were a little bit wounded not to be on the list.

"Every single year people are like, 'Agh. Why did that happen?' and to be on the end of, 'Agh. Why did that happen?' is a bit challenging."

But what is it about the award that makes so many artists want to get that recognition?

Slaves are nominated for their debut album Are You Satisfied?

Ghostpoet is nominated for a second time this year. The first time was back in 2011 for his debut Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam.

"Instantly people want to check out your stuff because you have got this seal of approval," he told Newsbeat.

"I was able to gig much more off the back of it and develop my live show and establish my career at that point."

Ultimately making the shortlist is prize enough for most artists.

"The nomination is equal to the prize," according to first time nominee SOAK.

"I mean I don't really mind if I get it or not, it is just so cool to be on that list and to be among so many amazing artists."

It shines a light on albums we have both heard of and those we haven't and that makes fans at least curious to know what the fuss is about.

Sales and streams of nominated albums will go up after making the shortlist and some previous winners have seen sales go up by 400%.

C Duncan is one artist who could see the biggest benefit from Mercury Prize nomination

Mumford and Sons were nominated for their debut album Sigh No More in 2010.

"I would never underestimate it," explained Ted Dwayne from the band.

"There is no way we could have had the love we've had without that [Mercury prize nomination], it is just exposure at the end of the day.

"I was checking out the Mercury stuff this morning on the website. There are some bands I might not have heard of and to see them come through, it is a great opportunity."

See SOAK's Instagram picture celebrating her Mercury Prize nomination.

But there is still annoyance amongst some critics about certain genres not being represented.

Metal never gets a look in and this year grime seemed to be an obvious absentee.

We'll never get the bottom of why certain albums make it on the list or miss out, though, because the judges all have to sign a form agreeing not to tell anyone how the system works.

The award show will be shown at 2130 GMT on BBC Four.

For more stories like this one you can now download the BBC Newsbeat app straight to your device. For iPhone go here. For Android go here.