Ninajirachi has emerged victorious as the winner of the 21st SoundMerch Australian Music Prize, taking out the prestigious honour for her long-awaited debut album, I Love My Computer.

The musical moniker of Nina Wilson, Ninajirachi has been on the music scene for close to a decade now, having first risen to prominence as a finalist in triple j's Unearthed High competition back in 2016, and repeating the feat the following year.

After numerous singles, EPs, and a mixtape, Ninajirachi released I Love My Computer back in early August. Peaking at No. 18 on the ARIA Charts, the record’s impact has been clear, bringing with it not just global acclaim, a J Award nomination for Australian Album of the Year, but also eight nominations at the ARIA Awards including Best Solo Artist, Best Dance/Electronic Release, and Album Of The Year.

“Thank you so much to the Australian music prize for awarding me this year, this truly means a lot to me!!” Ninajirachi said of the award. “I’m so proud to have produced an Australian album.

“I Love My Computer drew from my growing up on the central coast and the Australian dance music I heard in my childhood. To sincerely contribute to the awesome story of Australian music was one of my highest hopes. I hope I can keep making albums and telling stories forever.

“Thank you so much, I’m so honoured to receive this award.”

Ninajirachi’s win brings with it $50,000 in prize money and the prestige that comes with joining an esteemed list of past winners, including Kankawa Nagarra, King Stingray, Genesis Owusu, The Avalanches, and many more.

"The AMP process favours originality and Nina's album is certainly that!” adds Scott B Murphy, Founder and Prize Director of the AMP.

“I thank the team of judges who have put so much effort into choosing I Love My Computer as our 21st winner – the Shortlist was very strong so choosing a winner wasn't easy."

Indeed, the shortlist of nine finalists was a decorated and talented one, with albums from diverse acts such as Folk Bitch Trio, Floodlights, Mudrat, Bleak Squad, Tropical Fuck Storm, Ruby Gill, Mia Wray, and Divide & Dissolve filling out the final nine.

21st SoundMerch Australian Music Prize Shortlist

WINNER: Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer

Folk Bitch Trio – Now Would Be A Good Time

Floodlights – Underneath

Mudrat – Social Cohesion

Bleak Squad – Strange Love

Tropical Fuck Storm – Fairyland Codex

Ruby Gill – Some Kind Of Control

Mia Wray – hi, it's nice to meet me

Divide & Dissolve – Insatiable