A.B Original have taken out the top spot in the 12th annual Australian Music Prize, making them the first Indigenous act to do so.
A team of judges consisting of artists, journalists and retailers selected A.B. Original’s acclaimed album Reclaim Australia as the best album of 2016, awarding the duo $30,000 in prize money.
Comprised of Briggs and Trials, the pair of Indigenous artists were praised for their socially focused music, offering a new perspective on Australian hip hop.
“It is an honour to present A.B.Original with a cheque for $30,000 for what was truly a remarkable album and a worthy addition to the growing list of AMP winners that have left their mark on the Australian music scene,” said Chief Executive Officer of PPCA Dan Rosen. “Congratulations to A.B.Original and we hope this contribution from PPCA will provide further assistance in taking their music to the world.”
A.B. Original said the award has given them a reason to record a second album.
“When we made this album – we thought it was career suicide. For us to be afforded this platform with so many listeners is not lost on us. We went all out because we thought it was the last one we’d make. All of this support is igniting us to do another one! We are very grateful.”
“Reclaim Australia is more than just a great Australian album, it’s a cultural landmark,” said Dave Faulkner, Chairperson of the Judging Panel. “It’s an angry, funny, heartfelt, slamming hip hop album that takes its inspiration from ’90s gangsta rap, and filters it through a modern Aboriginal perspective. It hits hard politically, musically and emotionally and the stories A.B. Original are telling are ones we all need to hear right now.”
More details via the Australian Music Prize.
Via Beat Magazine.
