In case you missed it, Alphonse Pierre, a Senior Writer at Pitchfork, is headed to the big leagues. He is the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) 2025 Next Award honoree. Named for the legendary war correspondent, this highly competitive award honors exceptional work by early-career journalists, recognizing their significant impact on the world of journalism and magazine writing.
Pierre’s arrival at Pitchfork in 2018 shook things up, and he quickly became one of the most distinctive voices in music journalism. In 2023 he was promoted to Senior Writer. This jump celebrated his growing power as a voice and professional experience as the go-to for contemporary hip-hop, rap. He’s done incisive, high-profile interviews with breakout artists such as Veeze, Bartees Strange, Navy Blue, Ken Carson, and Paco Panama of D.C. His policy work speaks to his unique talent for cultivating relationships with key decision makers across the industry.
In addition to interviews, Pierre has delved into critical analyses of significant cultural events, including the ongoing feud between music giants Drake and Kendrick Lamar. He has reviewed major releases from artists like Playboi Carti, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Uzi Vert, Megan Thee Stallion, Childish Gambino, and Sexyy Red. His brave and sharp writing takes no prisoners as it blurts out strong opinions. You know he never pulls punches when it comes to music criticism.
Pierre’s “Off the Dome” column blossomed into a Pitchfork mainstay since its inception in 2020, featuring the weekly musings of the sometimes volatile, often hilarious, always quotable Pierre. In this regular column here, he shares his Bird’s Eye view of the ever-evolving hip-hop scene. Yet all the while, he scintillates readers with deep wisdom drawn from his experiences as both a critic and an eager listener.
“He writes about hip-hop and rap not only as a critic but as a listener who is living alongside his subject, enthralled by the work of the artists who are growing the genre 50 years after its birth.” – Jeremy D. Larson
His method also reflects a deep understanding of hip-hop’s complex legacy. Along the way, he remains committed to providing a gritty and honest look at how things are shaping up. Noisey’s Jeremy D. Larson called Pierre one of this year’s best. He praised the way Pierre absolutely rules the medium—the rap game, the culture—with authority and passion, with impressive knowledge of hip-hop’s rich history, and with a revolutionary attitude.
The National Magazine Awards — known colloquially as the OMNIs — were founded in 1966 to recognize excellence in print and digital publications, celebrating exemplary journalism. Pitchfork, for instance, has been nominated for these awards several times. Their nominations include every year from 2013 through 2024, including all the years of 2014 and 2016-2020.