The winner of NPR’s 2021 Tiny Desk Contest is Mecca Russell, a singer-songwriter from Arlington, Virginia.

Russell, who goes by Neffy, rose to the top of thousands of contestants — and beat out some neighbors — for her entry “Wait Up,” a song inspired by moving back home during the pandemic, she told NPR. This year’s panel of judges included Tiny Desk creator Bob Boilen, Tiny Desk alum Phoebe Bridgers, and last year’s winner Linda Diaz, among other critics and musicians.

Neffy’s music pulls from folk, soul, and R&B influences, and she has played hundreds of shows in New York and D.C.

“Neffy’s song stood out amongst the thousands of 2021 Tiny Desk Contest entries as a universal cry to break free of constraints and celebrate nature’s beauty,” NPR Music’s Bob Boilen said in a statement. “With an acoustic guitar and that uplifting voice, Neffy wowed our judges.”

When it’s safe to do so, Neffy will head to NPR headquarters to perform an in-person Tiny Desk concert. An at-home Tiny Desk will be published in the coming weeks.

Previously: 

Meet Some Of The D.C.-Area Musicians Who Entered NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest This Year