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Pitchfork is excited to announce that Senior Writer Alphonse Pierre has been recognized as a 2025 ASME Next Award honoree by the American Society of Magazine Editors. This acknowledgment is part of the 2025 National Magazine Awards.
The ASME Next Award celebrates exceptional accomplishments by journalists in the early stages of their careers. According to the organization, eligible candidates include full-time and freelance writers, photographers, editors, social media journalists, and designers. Each year, five winners are presented with medals featuring the design of Alexander Calder’s Elephant Walking.
Alphonse Pierre, who has been with Pitchfork since 2018 and advanced to the role of Senior Writer in 2023, has conducted interviews with a range of influential artists including Veeze, Bartees Strange, Navy Blue, and Ken Carson. He is also known for his insightful coverage of the highly publicized rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. In the past year, Pierre has reviewed major releases from prominent artists like Playboi Carti, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Uzi Vert, Megan Thee Stallion, Childish Gambino, and Sexyy Red. His weekly column, Off the Dome, has been a staple on the website since 2020, with the latest edition featuring an interview with Washington, D.C. rapper Paco Panama.
In support of Pierre’s nomination, Pitchfork’s Deputy Director, Jeremy D. Larson, expressed that “Alphonse Pierre chronicles the latest in rap with an authority and fervor—not to mention a spirit of provocation—that reflects a deep understanding of hip-hop’s history.” He emphasized Pierre’s commitment to presenting an authentic narrative of the genre’s current landscape, portraying hip-hop not just as a critic, but as an engaged listener who is deeply invested in the evolution of the music.
The National Magazine Awards, established in 1966, are designed to honor publications—both print and digital—that consistently exhibit exceptional editorial quality, creativity, and journalistic integrity. These awards are supported by ASME in partnership with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Throughout its history, Pitchfork has garnered National Magazine Award nominations in numerous years, including 2013, 2014, 2016 through 2020, and in 2023 and 2024. Notably, the publication achieved a victory in 2013 for General Excellence in Digital Media, and former Associate Editor Cat Zhang was honored with an ASME Next Award in 2022.
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pitchfork.com