London--April 28, 2003: Amazon.co.uk today announced the winners of its inaugural Music Journalism Awards, backed by key industry figures such as Ajax Scott and John Aizlewood and supported by the National Union of Journalists.

William Shaw was named Amazon.co.uk Music Journalist of the Year for his piece entitled "Portrait of an Artist in Jail", which was published in the Guardian in March 2002. Shaw, whose in-depth and harrowing piece chronicled the struggles of American rapper ODB while in Clinton Correctional Facility, beat off stiff competition from 21 other short listed journalists to claim the top award.

Rob Burrow, Senior Music Editor at Amazon.co.uk and one of the judges, said:

  • We launched these awards because reviews are such an important part of our site and we wanted to showcase music writing from across the media spectrum. I would like to thank all the journalists, both professional and student, for taking the time to enter our inaugural music journalism awards. It's been a great pleasure reading each and every one of them.

The judges also awarded category prizes for different musical genres and for Amazon.co.uk Student Writer of the Year. The latter prize went to Krissi Murison of Bristol University for her highly entertaining review of the indie band The Beatings.

The awards in full:

  • Amazon.co.uk Jazz Writer of the YearClive Davis for his insightful and informative piece entitled "Fifties Calypso" in The Times, which clearly explained the origins of the music.
  • Amazon.co.uk Classical Music Writer of the YearStephen Johnson for his article entitled "When the Wall Came Down" in BBC Music, an impressive account of attitudes towards contemporary classical music.
  • Amazon.co.uk R&B, Soul and Urban Writer of the YearPeter Robinson for an amusing and eye-opening feature on pirate radio stations entitled "Bassline Bandits" in the Guardian Guide.
  • Amazon.co.uk Hip-Hop and Rap Writer of the YearWilliam Shaw for his interview with Wu-Tang Clan rapper ODB entitled "A Portrait of an Artist in Jail" in the Guardian. This was roundly believed to be a excellent piece which made the reader feel enormous sympathy for ODB. It was voted overall winner.
  • Amazon.co.uk Dance and Electronic Writer of the YearChris Blue for his diary style feature "Ibiza Uncovered" in Jockey Slut. This account of the dance music Mecca was enjoyable and avoided the obvious.
  • Amazon.co.uk Hard Rock and Metal Writer of the YearIan Winwood for his piece entitled "Cowboy from Hell" in Kerrang! The judges found his interview with members of the band Nickelback to be a very courageous account, original in its approach and very enjoyable.
  • Amazon.co.uk Pop Writer of the YearDorian Lynskey for his piece entitled "Attack of the Five Foot Woman" in Q Woman. This was an original profile of the ubiquitous and notoriously tight-lipped Kylie.
  • Amazon.co.uk Rock and Indie Writer of the YearChris Salmon for his feature entitled "Stroll with It" in Time Out, which recalled a revealing, highly entertaining and often bizarre ramble in the country with Jarvis Cocker.
  • Amazon.co.uk Student Writer of the YearKrissi Murison for her review entitled "The Booze Brothers" in the NME. Citing Murison's great humour and maturity, the judges tipped her as "one to watch for the future".

Miranda Sawyer, award-winning writer and member of the judging panel said:

  • Music journalism is a special talent. You can hate a song and still love an article about it: you can also be put off an artist for good by a devastating critique. But the best music journalism makes you want to hear the music right now--which is why this competition is so important. It's great to see recognition for the writing talent that exists in the UK music industry.

The awards were set up with the aim of showcasing music writing in the national and regional press, student newspapers and magazines and on Web sites and were judged by a panel of some of the UK's most prominent journalists--Miranda Sawyer, Ajax Scott, Phil Sutcliffe, David Quantick, John Aizelwood, Emma Jones and Rob Burrow of Amazon.co.uk--and came with the support of the NUJ.

All the winners will receive £450 in cash* and William Shaw wins an Apple iBook laptop computer.

 

 

*Except the Student winner who receives £450 worth of Amazon.co.uk gift vouchers.

For further information please contact the Amazon.co.uk press office on 020 8636 9280.

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