SPEED, BARKAA and Ninajirachi Win 2025 NSW Music Prize
Sydney’s vibrant music scene has recently been invigorated by the inaugural NSW Music Prize, a prestigious initiative launched by the Minns Labor government to celebrate local musicians and bolster the state’s music industry amidst increasing global competition. With a substantial prize pool of A$160,000 (approximately $104,000), the awards recognize outstanding contributions from artists across three categories. This week, the hardcore punk band SPEED emerged as the standout winner, taking home A$80,000 for their debut album *Only One Mode*, released through Last Ride Records and Flatspot Records. The album made waves by debuting at No. 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart, a testament to its significant impact during the voting period, as determined by an expert panel.
SPEED, comprising Jem Siow (vocals), Aaron Siow (bass), Josh Clayton (guitar), Dennis Vichidvongsa (guitar), and Kane Vardon (drums), expressed their gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing that their culture is not a competition but a collective effort fueled by passion. In addition to their win, the band has continued to engage fans with their latest three-track EP, *All My Angles*, and is set to rock venues across Australia in December. Meanwhile, BARKAA claimed the NSW First Nations Music Prize for her track *Big Tidda*, further solidifying her place in the music industry after recently becoming the first Indigenous female artist to win best hip hop/rap release at the 2025 ARIA Awards. Additionally, Ninajirachi, a rising star in the EDM scene, was awarded the NSW breakthrough artist of the year for her work on *girl EDM*, marking a remarkable year filled with accolades, including the Australian Music Prize and triple j’s J Award for album of the year.
NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, praised the award winners, highlighting the importance of recognizing the hard work of local musicians and the need to shine a spotlight on the NSW music scene. He noted that these awards aim to inspire the next generation of artists while helping local musicians carve out a niche in an industry increasingly dominated by international acts. The ceremony, held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney, featured a total of 15 nominated acts, showcasing the diverse talent emerging from New South Wales. As the music landscape continues to evolve, the NSW Music Prize stands as a beacon of support for local artists, encouraging them to reach new heights and connect with audiences both locally and globally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3eZD-wALfU
Sydney hardcore punk band
SPEED
has collected the NSW Music Prize, Australia’s most lucrative music awards, presented for the first time this week, while
BARKAA
and
Ninajirachi
continued their respective winning streaks.
Established by the Minns Labor government of New South Wales to “celebrate and inspire local musicians” and strengthen the music industry “in the face of increasing competition from overseas,” the A$160,000 ($104,000) prize pool is split among three categories.
SPEED nabbed top honors for
Only One Mode
via Last Ride Records (AANZ) and Flatspot Records (worldwide), their debut album from 2024, which impacted the top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart, debuting at No. 10.
The group, led by Jem Siow (vocals), Aaron Siow (bass), Josh Clayton (guitar), Dennis Vichidvongsa (guitar), and Kane Vardon (drums), has since released the three-track EP
All My Angles
, with live shows rocking across Australia
this December
.
An expert panel decided
Only One Mode
was the release that had “the most significant impact” during the voting period.
“Respectfully,” reads a statement from the band, which bags the A$80,000 ($52,000) winner’s check, “our culture has never been a game nor a competition. But we are honored to receive this recognition and see this as acknowledgment of the values cultivated by the passionate souls around us.”
Meanwhile, BARKAA was awarded the NSW First Nations Music Prize for
Big Tidda
(Big Apples Music/Island Records Australia/Universal Music Australia). Just last week, BARKAA scooped best hip hop/rap release at the
2025 ARIA Awards
, becoming the
first Indigenous female artist to do so
.
After bagging a hattrick of pointy trophies last week at the ARIAs, Ninajirachi backed it up with the NSW breakthrough artist of the year award for “girl EDM” (NLV Records), a salute to an emerging NSW-based artist or act who has had “a groundbreaking 12 months”. The homegrown EDM producer, songwriter and artist has been shining on the awards circuit in recent weeks and months, winning the Australian Music Prize, triple j’s J Award for album of the year, and more.
Recipients of the First Nations and breakthrough artist prizes are each awarded A$40,000 ($26,000).
“These talented and hard-working NSW musicians deserve this recognition,” comments NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham. “These awards are about putting the spotlight on NSW, so fans have a chance to celebrate the local music scene. This will give these artists a big career boost, and I also hope it will inspire the next generation to aim high.”
Adds Graham, “the streaming revolution is pushing more American music to Australian listeners. This award is part of our effort support local musicians to cut through and build a fan base.”
All told, 15 acts were nominated
for the prize
, delivered by Sound NSW, with winners announced Monday, Nov. 24 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney.
NSW Music Prize 2025 finalists and winners:
3% –
Kill the Dead
BARKAA –
Big Tidda
Kobie Dee –
Chapter 26
Ninajirachi- girl EDM
ONEFOUR-
Look At Me Now
Party Dozen-
Crime in Australia
RÜFÜS DU SOL –
Inhale / Exhale
Shady Nasty –
Trek
SPEED –
Only One Mode
(WINNER)
Vv Pete & Utility –
Varvie World
NSW Breakthrough Artist of Year 2025
Don West
Ninajirachi
(WINNER)
Royel Otis
Shady Nasty
SPEED
NSW First Nations Music Prize 2025
3% –
Kill the Dead
BARKAA –
Big Tidda
(WINNER)
Djanaba –
Did I Stutter?
Stiff Gins –
Crossroads
Ziggy Ramo –
Human?
