2019 Australian Music Prize Winner Revealed

Melbourne-based artist Sampa The Great has been announced as the winner of the 2019 Australian Music Prize (AMP).

The Zambia-born songwriter has beat the likes of Nick Cave, Thelma Plum and Julia Jackin with The Return, making her the only artist in the AMP's 15 year history to take out the prize twice after winning in 2017 with her debut effort, Birds & The BEE9.

“The fact that I’m able to create my most vulnerable music and have it supported over the years has been amazing," Sampa The Great said.

"I want to thank the AMP for recognising the music and stories behind The Return.

"The Return was not written for radio play or commercial appeal. It was written to bring to light the journey of a person who began her career in a country far away from home. It was to bring to light the sense of displacement felt in that journey and in a global sense throughout the world. It allowed me to tell my full story - without having it told for me.

"I thank the AMP for looking at solely the music and judging only that. As in this day and age it seems that is not the norm.

"I would like to thank everyone behind The Return. The executive producer of The Return, Silent J. The community within the music. The authors behind the soul of the music. My parents and my family."

The AMP win sees Sampa The Great score a $30,000 cash prize.

“In my five years serving as an Australian Music Prize Judge, I’ve had the privilege to discover some of the most exciting, vibrant and creative minds this country has to offer," AMP judge Phil Jamieson said.

“This year has been no different. With so much listening so much enjoyment we arrive at a sensational shortlist… full of diversity and genre. It is without a doubt that Sampa The Great’s The Return is the deserved winner as it’s an absolute magnificent work of art. Take a deep dive!”

Previous winners of the coveted AMP include Gurrumul, Courtney Barnett and AB Original.