Veteran Weller must turn Dizzee to land Mercury Music Prize

Also in the running are hotly tipped The xx – whose music provided the theme for the BBC's election coverage – and Mancunian trio I Am Kloot.

They are among 12 acts vying for the respected award, officially called the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, which rewards the outstanding album of the year.

Dizzee first won the Mercury with debut release Boy in da Corner in 2003. This latest nomination, for Tongue N' Cheek, is his third in only four albums, as he was also listed in 2007 for Maths + English.

Weller has only once been nominated for the Mercury. His second solo release, Wild Wood, was shortlisted in 1994, losing out to M People's Elegant Slumming on the night.

Also finding a repeat inclusion is Laura Marling, whose I Speak Because I Can follows her 2008 debut Alas, I Cannot Swim on to the shortlist.

As well as a 20,000 prize, the award can be an invaluable method of raising awareness for shortlisted acts and many see a huge sales boost.

However, last year's winner, Speech Debelle, bucked the trend and failed to strike a chord with the music-buying public. Her album Speech Therapy has still to dent the top 40. Established names on this year's list include Leeds singer Corinne Bailey Rae – whose album The Sea deals with how she coped following the death of her husband – and Scottish rock trio Biffy Clyro.

Kendal quartet Wild Beasts and Oxford's Foals are both shortlisted for second albums.

The list does have a slight folk theme with entries for Marling, Mumford & Sons and Irish act Villagers – largely a vehicle for Conor J O'Brien.

This year's jazz entry comes from pianist Kit Downes with his trio's debut release Golden.

Acts who had been tipped for inclusion but failed to make the list include Gorillaz, Marina and the Diamonds and Ellie Goulding.

The winner of the prize will be announced at a ceremony in London in September.