“Mercury means something to me because it’s the only award that looks at a body of work,” she says.

“I’ve always loved albums. I don’t buy singles. I’m an album girl, I love that intensity. So to have my album win Mercury, well, that’s my dreams all come true.”

In the last few weeks, she’s been seized upon by  the BBC, had her photo plastered across the papers, appeared on the breakfast telly couch and ensured that her rise from hostel dwelling and bad deeds to articulate, honest and abrupt pop star has become the biggest story of the summer.

Amid all the hype, it’s worth going back to the record and, in particular, the very last track – the title track, as it happens.

It’s this, perhaps, which sums up what Speech is all about better than anything else she has written, sums up why the reaction to her music has been so strong, so heartfelt: “I’ve made some mistakes in this life I’m not proud of, see? But I hope that doesn’t mean now I’m trying it will be harder for me.”

Speech Debelle is putting forth everything – her thoughts, beliefs, mistakes, love, anguish and humour.

“I’ve really laid myself bare,” she admits.

“I knew this was an all or nothing record. Thankfully, at the moment, it seems to working out.”
She’s playing in Liverpool on October 4 – her first time in the city.

“The Liverpool accent is my favourite in the whole world,” she laughs. “So I can’t wait to come and hear you guys speak.”

* SPEECH DEBELLE plays the Masque on October 4.