Azealia Banks, Chris Stapleton, Leon Bridges Among 12 Debut Albums Shortlisted For American Music Prize

Albums by Azealia Banks, Chris Stapleton and Leon Bridges are among the 12 debut recordings shortlisted for the inaugural American Music Prize (AMP). Modeled after similar awards celebrating new artists in the UK and Australia, the winner of the first U.S. prize will be announced on March 2nd.

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All U.S. debut albums released between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2015 were eligible for The inaugural American Music Prize. The grand prizewinner, who will receive a $25,000 cash prize, will be announced next Wednesday, March 2 followed by a special celebration event that evening in Nashville.

2016 AMP Nominees

Azealia Banks, Broke with Expensive TasteBanks, GoddessBenjamin Booker, Benjamin BookerBully, Feels LikeChris Stapleton, TravellerEx Hex, RipsKamasi Washington, The EpicLeon Bridges, Coming HomeMikky Ekko, TimeNatalie Prass, Natalie PrassShamir, RatchetTweedy, Sukierae

The AMP judging panel: Nathan Brackett (Rolling Stone), Rand Foster (Fingerprints), David Fricke (Rolling Stone), David Greenwald (The Oregonian), Dennis Herring (producer), Jewly Hight (freelance journalist), Mel Honore (Cerebral Ballzy), Britt Julious (freelance journalist), Daniel Kohn (PureVolume, managing editor), Kristin Kurtis (KGSR), Eric Levin (Criminal Records), Steve Lillywhite (producer), Melissa Locker (freelance journalist), Josh Madell (Other Music), Pat McGuire (FLOOD magazine) Sean Moeller (Daytrotter), Matt Nathanson, Robert Neumann (KHMX), Dan Plunkett (End Of An Ear), Michael Ramirez (Radio Active Records), David Safar (KCMP The Current), Craig Shelburne (CMT), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Amanda Warner (MNDR) and Bob Waugh (WRNR).

Complete details can be found at: www.americanmusicprize.com.