AB Original has become the first Indigenous act to win the $30,000 Australian Music prize, beating out other shortlisted artists including the Avalanches, Nick Cave and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
Reclaim Australia, the debut album for the the hip-hop duo of rapper Briggs and producer Trials, shines a light on indigenous issues from police abuse, systematic racism to the impact of Australia Day celebrations on indigenous people. Guests like Dan Sultan, Gurrumul,Thelma Plum and Caiti Baker appear on what is a proud, socially conscious and outspoken album.
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Speaking at the event in Melbourne on Thursday night Briggs said the album was a “reflection of all the artists that came before us, who allowed us to be able to walk up tonight and win this.”
Decided on by a panel of industry professionals including artists, journalists and retailers, the AMP – now in its 12th year – is considered Australia’s most prestigious album award. Past winners have included Courtney Barnett, Eddie Current Suppression Ring and the Drones.
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 13: (L-R) Matt Keil, Andrew Neufeld and Jeremy Hiebert of Comeback Kid performs live at The Emerson Theater on May 13, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joey Foley/Getty Images)
