James Blake's album Overgrown was announced as the winner of the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize at the ceremony at the Roundhouse in London.
Blake beat the likes of Arctic Monkeys, David Bowie and Disclosure to scoop this year's £20,000 prize.
"Thank you to my parents for showing me the importance of being independent," said Blake on collecting his award.
"It felt different this year. It's less nerve-wracking and much less daunting. I feel like I have the event a bit more sussed out.
"I've got no idea why the judges nominated my record. If I could tell you that I'd be able to write another one!"
So how will he spend his winnings?
"I'm going to spend the money on a crazy golf course for my front garden. I'm not even a fan. The obstacles will be all the other artists in the competition just holding miniature golf clubs. Either way, I'll be getting drunk tonight!"
And on his plans for the future he said: "For my next album, I want to write a good one. That's all really - to make it even better than this one."
David Bowie will go head-to-head with the Arctic Monkeys, James Blake and Savages for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize this year.
All four acts are among the 12 whose albums have been shortlisted by a panel of music critics and industry experts.
The mighty Bowie is an early favourite to scoop the award, with The Next Day; his first album in ten years.
Arctic Monkeys are also tipped as possible winners for their fifth album, AM, which was released earlier this week. The band look set to eclipse Daft Punk's record for the fastest selling album of 2013.
All-female art punk rockers Savages have a good chance at securing the award, too, with their impressive debut album, Silence Yourself. As does James Blake, whose second full-length Overgrown amassed great critical acclaim.
Others shortlisted for the prize include dance duo Disclosure and their debut album Settle, Foals' Holy Fire, Jake Bugg's self-titled LP and Jon Hopkins' Immunity. Laura Mvula and Laura Marling also received nods.
The winner of the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Music Award will be announce at The Roundhouse in London on 30 October.
Last year's victor was Alt-J with their debut album An Awesome Wave.
Arctic Monkeys - AM
David Bowie - The Next Day
Disclosure - Settle
Foals - Holy Fire
Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg
James Blake - Overgrown
Jon Hopkins - Immunity
Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle
Laura Mvula - Sing to the Moon
Rudimental - Home
Savages - Silence Yourself
Villagers - Awayland
