McKinley Dixon Wins 2022 Newlin Music Prize for Best Album from Richmond, Virginia
RICHMOND, VA (Mar. 7, 2022) – McKinley Dixon has won the 2022 Newlin Music Prize for the album For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her.
Released on May 7, 2021 through Richmond-label Spacebomb Records, For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her builds on Dixon’s previously released music that explores Black identity through jazz, hip-hop, and soul music that flows freely into an immersive experience. By winning, Dixon receives a $1,000 monetary reward.
“I am honored to accept the inaugural Newlin Music Award! My album For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her was created with the intention of capturing distance through time and community. This album was the culmination of many sessions across Richmond and beyond. Thank you.”– McKinley Dixon
McKinley Dixon moved to Richmond, Virginia in 2013 and began creating music and performing locally, releasing two highly acclaimed records entitled Who Taught You To Hate Yourself? (2016) and The Importance Of Self Belief (2018). Upon release, For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her earned him acclaim from local publications like Style Weekly and Richmond Magazine and national outlets such as NPR, Consequence, and The Fader.
This is the first year for the Newlin Music Prize, named after musical prodigy, VCU professor, and performer Dika Newlin (1923-2006). The prize is awarded to the best full-length album from the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area in the previous year based solely on artistic merit without regard to style or popularity. A jury of more than 50 members of the local music scene, including musicians, journalists, artists, photographers, and activists, created the short list of 20 nominated albums considered for the prize out of an extensive list of local albums released in the past year. Ballots were cast by each member starting on February 4 and ending on March 5. There was also a fan vote open concurrently that served as one ballot in the final count.
The 2022 Newlin Music Prize Short List was:
- Abby Huston – AH HA
- Angélica Garcia – Echo Eléctrico
- Ant The Symbol – Ant Hasn’t Heard Of You, Either
- Big Fundamental – Hyperbeam
- Book Of Wyrms – Occult New Age
- Caro – From My Room
- DJ Harrison – Tales From The Old Dominion
- Frames – Every Room
- Giant – Big Talk
- Gnawing – You Freak Me Out
- Illa Styles – IllaVeRs
- Jewell Booker – Love Sick 2020
- Junnie Mac x NameBrand – Peace, Mercy & Blessings
- Matthew E. White – Bay
- McKinley Dixon – For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her
- Prabir Trio – Haanji
- Tennishu – 2021
- Terminal Bliss – Brute Err/ata
- Tiara & Andrew – Roller Skates
- WKNDR – Rising
“The positive response and support for the first year was overwhelming,” said Newlin Music Prize executive director Doug Nunnally. “Each of the albums on the short-list represents a different and important voice in the local music scene. Our hope is that this award encourages them to continue making music, as well as all the other creative and remarkable musicians in the Richmond-Petersburg area.”
The Newlin Music Prize plans to announce a short list and award a winner in the first quarter of each subsequent year, as well as partner with local organizations and charities to continue to spread awareness for local music in the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area.