Kankawa Nagarra’s Wirlmarni wins the 20th Soundmerch Australian Music Prize (AMP), besting more than 600 albums for the spoils.
Wirlmarni, meaning “disappearing,” is the First Nations artist’s debut album.
Celebrated as the “Queen of the Bandaral Ngadu,” the 80-year-old Walmatjarri Elder, teacher, and human rights advocate beats out recordings by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Amyl and The Sniffers, Dirty Three, Hiatus Kaiyote and others.
“I am so thrilled and proud to receive this award. Thank you so much to AMP,” Kankawa says in a statement. “Coming from the remote community of Wangkatjungka which in the past has been shown in a negative light with the focus on the issues and problems.”
She continues, “People don’t often get to see the beautiful and positive aspects of my home and I know this award brings much pride to the people of Wangkatjungka, especially to the school and all the children who I hope to be a role model for. I dedicate this award to all my little Greats with a special mention to Tykrira Wilson who stands with me on the cover of the album. I love them all very much. They are my future ancestors.”
A special blend of Aboriginal Australian blues, country, and gospel styles, coupled with personal storytelling, Wirlmarni was declared winner during a ceremony Wednesday evening, December 4th at the APRA AMCOS headquarters in Sydney.
A music industry panel selected Wirlmarni from a longlist of eligible LPs released from October 28th, 2023, to October 25th 2024.
From that pool, 46 official nominations were culled. Wirlmarni was the winner drawn from the Top 9 Shortlist.
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“The judges met this morning, face-to-face, to decide that the very deserving Wirlmarni by Kankawa would win the prize,” comments Scott Murphy, AMP founder and director.
“It wasn’t a quick-and-easy decision to make – there were 9 great albums, all quite diverse, all with judge support. Congratulations, Kankawa on winning our 20th prize.”
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Modeled on the U.K.’s Mercury Prize, the AMP is the the critics’ choice for Australian album of the year. Each year, its winner collects a $50,000 cheque.
Celebrating the best in its class, the AMP “continues to exist to discover, reward and promote new Australian music of excellence,” reads a statement from organisers.
A partnership with SoundMerch, the national initiative is supported by the Australian Government through Music Australia.
The 20th SoundMerch AMP Shortlist:
Audrey Powne – From The Fire
Amyl & The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
Dobby – Warrangu; River Story
Grace Cummings – Ramona
Hiatus Kaiyote – Love Heart Cheat Code
Kankawa Nagarra – Wirlmarni
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Wild God
Rowena Wise – Senseless Acts Of Beauty
The Dirty Three – Love Changes Everything
Previous Australian Music Prize Recipients
2023 – RVG – Brain Worms
2022 – King Stingray – King Stingray
2021 – Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth
2020 – The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You
2019 – Sampa the Great – The Return
2018 – Gurrumul – Djarimirri
2017 – Sampa the Great – Birds and the BEE9
2016 – A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
2015 – Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
2014 – REMI – Raw X Infinity
2013 – Big Scary – Not Art
2012 – Hermitude – HyperParadise
2011 – The Jezabels – Prisoner
2010 – Cloud Control – Bliss Release
2009 – Lisa Mitchell – Wonder
2008 – Eddy Current Suppression Ring – Primary Colours
2007 – The Mess Hall – Devils Elbow
2006 – Augie March, Moo – You Bloody Choir
2005 – The Drones – Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By
