Linda Diaz’s top picks

Plus, catch up on all of this year’s Top Shelf entries before we announce the winner [View this email online]( [NPR Tiny Desk Contest]( Last Thursday, after weeks of gathering with you all (virtually) for music discovery and lively conversation, we wrapped up our 2021 Top Shelf series. Back in July, Contest judges [Bob Boilen and Bobby Carter]( kicked things off in a big way, highlighting creative artists like rapper Z The Author and singer-songwriter-harpist Selina Moon. In week two, [Phoebe Bridgers]( featured artists with powerful stories and striking voices, plus a memorable improvised performance by the Issam Rafea and Gao Hong duo. We got to watch a handful of entries from talented artists with [Tobe Nwigwe]( including Quiana Lynell’s soulful jazz skat. After that, our Member station judges, [John Morrison]( of WXPN and [Jewly Hight]( of WNXP, shared entries that moved us, like Ephraim Bugumba’s achingly beautiful “Year One” and Semler’s country hit “Jesus from Texas.” We ended things on a high note just last week, when 2020 winner [Linda Diaz]( shared five fire entries, including Yosmel Montejo’s “La Caliente.” You can watch episode six of Top Shelf below, plus catch up on all the episodes from this year’s Top Shelf series in [this playlist]( or on [All Songs Considered](. And, now that we’ve watched all the judges’ top picks, we’d love to hear your favorites, too — let us know by replying to this email. Entries featured in the final episode of Top Shelf: - ["Riightway" by Mamii]( - ["Still Life" by Alisa Amador]( - ["La Caliente" by Yosmel Montejo]( - ["Superego" by Allison Mahal]( - ["Bloodlines" by Lilith Ai]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- As we get closer to announcing this year’s winner (we promise we’re really close), our friends at NPR Music and Member stations are sharing more standout entries. Just today, the folks at Jazz Night In America [shared a selection of Contest entries]( that showcase the range of fantastic jazz entries we received this year. Plus, on NPR Music’s #NowPlaying blog, NPR Member station staff are sharing some essential and [out-of-this-world entries](. Stay tuned for more next week on what makes this community of musicians so special. And after that, find out who will be joining our [Tiny Desk Contest winners family]( of Fantastic Negrito, Gaelynn Lea, Tank and the Bangas, Naia Izumi, Quinn Christopherson and Linda Diaz. From our own tiny desks, NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest team --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [tinydeskcontest@npr.org](mailto:tinydeskcontest@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Interested in connecting with music-lovers and music-makers across the Contest community? Join our Tiny Desk Contest Community [Facebook Group]( Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on [Spotify]( and [Apple Music]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Books, Pop Culture and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Tiny Desk Contest emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]