By Robert Moran and Hannah Story
Album of the year winner Genesis Owusu used his final acceptance speech at the ARIAs to call for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Canberra rapper and musician took out the top prize for his new record Struggler, alongside best hip-hop/rap release and best independent release. He called on the audience to “pay attention to what is happening in the world”, proclaiming: “Ceasefire now, ceasefire now, free Palestine.”
It’s the second time Owusu has won album of the year in the last three years – this time with an ambitious project that is loosely influenced by Kafka’s The Metamorphosis.
Owusu’s wins marked the third year in a row that the best hip-hop/rap release also claimed the album of the year prize, following Baker Boy’s win with Gela last year and Owusu’s own win with Smiling with No Teeth in 2021.
Introducing the award for best hip-hop, Hau Latukefu of Australian hip-hop forebears Koolism said: “Hip-hop is a voice for the underprivileged and the oppressed. That freedom of expression is vital but we can’t just keep it at that – we need to have the freedom to love and the freedom to live.”
When Owusu accepted the best hip-hop/rap award, from London, where he is currently on tour, he said: “Hip-hop made me who I am, and allowed me to speak on the things I wanted to speak on, so I cherish it with my heart always.”
Owusu’s streak felt particularly resonant this year, given the ARIAs also celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a live performance featuring pioneering locals Sound Unlimited Posse (the first Australian hip-hop group to sign to a major label in the ’90s) along with 1200 Techniques, Bliss n Eso and emerging star Barkaa.
Ahead of the ceremony, Barkaa described the celebration of hip-hop as both beautiful and bittersweet. “I feel like Australia is so far behind in the industry compared to America. We’ve seen the OneFour documentary recently come out. The same thing that happened to N.W.A is happening to them.
“I feel like it’s bittersweet, but we’ve come a long way as a scene and it’s beautiful that we get to be that representation for our black babies at home.”
Milla Holland wasn’t afraid to make a political statement at the ARIAs.Credit: Getty
Owusu’s speech was one of just a few political statements on the night. He was joined in his message by Private Function bassist Milla Holland, who walked the red carpet with “FREE PALESTINE” written across her cheeks.
In a confident sign of the local music industry’s breadth and vitality (not to mention the organisation’s successful attempts to shake up its voting process), Wednesday’s ARIA Awards weren’t dominated by one artist – a depressingly common sight in years past – but instead celebrated a range of young stars and first-time winners.
Pop star Troye Sivan walked off with a field-leading four wins, including best solo artist and the publicly voted song of the year for his global hit Rush (his other wins included artisan awards for his producer and engineer Styalz Fuego).
It caps an eventful year for the 28-year-old, who became a bona fide international star following his eye-opening role on the controversial TV show The Idol and Rush’s viral success in the US.
Speaking to this masthead from the red carpet, Sivan said being recognised by the ARIAs is one of his “most meaningful” accomplishments this year. “I often feel like when I’m doing all of this stuff I’m so far away and it’s so nice to be able to feel a little bit of this at home and share it with everyone,” he said.
Accepting best solo artist, Sivan gushed that he was “proud to be Australian” and excited about the future of Australian music. “Kylie and I are nominated for the same category in the Grammys, and it makes me so, so, so proud,” he said.
The number of first-time winners on the night was considerable.
G Flip, whose bombastic Drummer debuted at number one on the ARIA albums chart in August, claimed two wins in publicly voted categories, including best video for their single Good Enough and best Australian live act. “My fans go hard,” they told this masthead with a laugh.
Rising Melbourne R&B star Forest Claudette also won two: best soul/R&B release for their slinky single Mess Around, and an artisan award for best cover art for their striking Everything Was Green, by Jeremy Koren and Michelle Grace Hunder.
After 14 nominations, Sydney Madchester revivalists DMA’S won their first ARIA, scoring best group for their anthemic album How Many Dreams?, while Mornington Peninsula indie-rockers Teenage Dads, who released their fourth EP Midnight Driving in March, claimed the Michael Gudinski breakthrough artist prize.
Talking on the red carpet, the young band were dismissive of their prospects of winning, citing their $6 betting odds, but said they were stoked to be there. “To be nominated in Michael Gudinski’s name, it’s a great honour,” said guitarist Jordan Finlay.
Grammy-nominated DJ Dom Dolla won his second ARIA for best dance/electronic release for the TikTok favourite Rhyme Dust, produced with American DJ MK. Dolla, real name Dominic Matheson, previously won the same category in 2020 with his breakthrough San Frandisco.
While newer artists dominated the awards, let’s not forget about Kylie.
More than two decades since she last won an ARIA when she cleaned up at the 2002 awards with her all-timer Fever, Minogue claimed her 18th overall statue to move just three off the ARIAs’ most-winning artists, John Farnham and Silverchair, who have 21 apiece. Minogue won for best pop release for her global smash Padam Padam, beating out Troye Sivan in a preview of their upcoming showdown at February’s Grammys.
“Padam to you! Padam to everyone!” Minogue said in a pre-recorded acceptance video.
Alongside Minogue, legacy act Jet were celebrated as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In the sort of loaded upset that could cause wars, Emma Watkins also claimed her first solo award for best children’s album with her project Emma Memma, beating out her old employers the Wiggles. Like Beyoncé for kids, sometimes it pays to go solo.
The remaining winners of the album genre categories defied the trend towards rewarding new talent and added more ARIA trophies to their overflowing cabinets. Prolific psych-rockers King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard took out best rock album, having won best hard rock/heavy metal in both 2016 and 2020, while Parkway Drive won best hard rock/heavy metal album for the third time since 2010.
Dan Sultan added best adult contemporary album to his genre-spanning wins, which also include best blues and roots album and best rock; the Teskey Brothers landed best blues and roots album for the third time in just five years; while Fanny Lumsden scored best country album, her second win in the category.
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