Winners Announced For The Inaugural 2025 NSW Music Prize

The results are in for the first-ever NSW Music Prize, with a diverse list of names – including SPEED, BARKAA, and Ninajirachi – emerging victorious.

Recognising musical releases or artists who experienced a significant career breakthrough during the eligibility period of July 1st, 2024 and June 30th, 2025, the three acts were recognised across as many categories at an awards ceremony which took place at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney overnight on Monday, November 24th.

The first of these categories included the $80,000 NSW Music Prize, which was to be awarded to the NSW artist or act whose release has had the most significant impact. With names such as RÜFÜS DU SOL, ONEFOUR, Party Dozen, Shady Nasty, and more in contention, ultimately the major award went to SPEED for their Only One Mode album.

"SPEED is a hardcore band comprising of lifelong friends and family from Sydney,” the group said in a statement. “Respectfully, our culture has never been a game nor a competition. But we are honoured to receive this recognition and see this as acknowledgment of the values cultivated by the passionate souls around us.

“Kids around us have been doing this for a minute and this acknowledgment gives us hope that realness can be recognised and wanted out there in the real world. This culture of ours is a special thing and the only way for you to get this is to show up, listen and learn from the people who make it.

“In 2025, we have a whole new generation of amazing kids all over the country making Sydney & Australian hardcore the sickest it’s ever been,” they added. “Thank you to everyone who has made this possible.”

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The second award for the night, the NSW First Nations Music Prize, brought with it a $40,000 payday for the First Nations artist or act whose release has had significant and meaningful impact.

While the likes of Ziggy Ramo, Stiff Gins, 3%, and Djanaba were all in contention, it was BARKAA who took home the honour for her EP Big Tidda.

Lastly, the NSW Breakthrough Artist Of The Year Award was another $40,000 payout for an emerging NSW artist or act who has had a groundbreaking year. While Don West, SPEED, Shady Nasty, and Royel Otis were all in the running, it was Ninajirachi who home the award.

It’s the latest in a series of high profile wins for Ninajirachi, whose I Love My Computer album won the SoundMerch Australian Music Prize, was named Album Of The Year at the J Awards, and saw its creator take home three ARIA Awards last week, including Best Solo Artist, the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist, and Best Independent Release.

“I’m very excited to be awarding the first ever NSW Music Prizes to SPEED, BARKAA and Ninajirachi,” said NSW Minister For Music And The Night-time Economy John Graham. “These talented and hard-working NSW musicians deserve this recognition.

“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,” he added. “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.”