The Newlin Music Prize is an award given to the best full-length album from the Richmond-Petersburg, VA metropolitan area based solely on artistic merit without regard to style or popularity.
Named after musical prodigy, VCU professor, and performer Dika Newlin (1923-2006), the prize annually awards over $7,000 in the hope of fostering future recordings and performances.
The Newlin Music Prize is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designated as a public charity 509(a)(2). The organization is modeled after similar music awards, such as the Polaris Music Prize and Mercury Prize. The ultimate aim of this organization and prize is to raise awareness of the diverse music scene in the Richmond, VA area and to encourage more great musical works to come out of the area.
Illa Styles and VeRs’ latest release is on the short list of albums nominated for this award. Learn more about the Newlin Music Prize and see the rest of the nominees below!