Benjamin Clementine dedicates Mercury Prize to 'heroes' of Paris

Benjamin Clementine, the winner of the 2015 Mercury Prize for best British or Irish album of the year, has come a long way from busking on the streets of Paris.

The 26-year-old London pianist, singer and songwriter outshone 11 other artistes and bands like Florence + The Machine, Wolf Alice and Supergrass star Gaz Coombes to win the award for his debut album At Least For Now.

The Mercury Prize for Album of the Year has been touted as the music equivalent to the Booker Prize for literature and shortlists 12 albums of the year before electing a winner.

Clementine broke down in tears as he accepted the award before dedicating it to the victims of the Paris carnage that claimed 130 lives. "I couldn't have dedicated the prize to a much better person that those heroes who died," the BBC quoted him as saying.

"I can't believe I've actually won this. If anyone is watching, any child or youngster or student, the world is your oyster. Go out there and get what you want to get," Clementine said in his acceptance speech.

In an earlier part of the award ceremony which was held in the Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House in London, he performed London — a track from his album. Clementine plans to use the £20,000 cash prize to buy pianos for Edmonton — the town where he grew up. He also wants to donate to charities for the homeless along with using the money to support his performance tours.