2026 Short List announced for Newlin Music Prize

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The 2026 Short List has been announced for the Newlin Music Prize, with an opportunity for fans to vote for their favorite local albums as well.

The list was announced on Monday, Feb. 16, with each album vying for an award that celebrates excellence in music from the Richmond-Petersburg metropolitan area.

The Newlin Music Prize, named after musician Dika Newlin, was founded in 2022 and is given to the best full-length album, as decided by local musicians and fans.

The winner will be crowned on March 23, receiving a cash prize of $2,500 -- while each remaining artist on the list will get $250.

The 2026 Short List features:

• Anna Leonard -- "Paint it Blue"
• Belly of the Heart -- "Subatomic Angel"
• Brookhouse -- "American Sounds"
• CJ The Profit -- "Virginia Autumn"
• Flora & The Fauna -- "I Wanna"
• Hotspit -- "(red wind)"
• Human Worm -- "human worm"
• IONNA -- "IONNAVERSE"
• Laura Ann Singh -- "Mean Reds"
• Mackenzie Roark & The Hotpants -- "Ghost of Rock and Roll"
• Madison Turner -- "Curtsy When You Land"
• Palmyra -- "Restless"
• Pyramid Mass -- "Gargling Riot"
• Radio B -- "The Internet Is Fake"
• Ronnie Luxe -- "HERMIT"
• Shagg Carpet -- "Hurting Other People"
• Shera Shi -- "KNEEDY"
• Ty Sorrell x Profound79 -- "Return To Forever: A Profound Discovery"
• Weekend Plans -- "After Hours"
• Wrong Worshippers -- "Get Skooled"

In addition to a jury that decides the winner, there is also a public fan vote open until March 23 that will count towards one ballot in the final total.

For more information on how to vote and the full 2026 Short List, visit the Newlin Music Prize website.