South London rapper Speech Debelle, 26, won this year’s Barclaycard’s Mercury Prize, walking away with £20,000 for her album Speech Therpy via Big Dada Recordings. Speech Debelle, who’s real name is Corynne Elliot, makes history by being the first woman in seven years to win the prestigious award.”It means a lot to me because it’s an award judges give solely on the strength of the album,” said Debelle regarding her win.

Speech Debelle was up against artists such as La Roux, Glasvegas, and Machine Kasabian for the 17 year old famed award.The Barclaycard Mercury Prize was established in 1992 with a view to awarding the best British album of the year, regardless of chart success. Debelle is currently on tour in the U.K., but will making her way to the U.S. next month for schduled shows in New York and Los Angeles, and will also be making an appearance at CMJ.

The following dates are Speech Debelle’s schduled U.S. appearances:

October 21- New York at Cake Shop, Terrorbird Party

October 24- New York at Santo’s, Windish Party

October 28- Los Angeles at Club NME (Spaceland)