2021's edition of the Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND has announced six of the country's most exciting emerging musicians to share in a $90k cash prize. Queensland artists Beddy Rays and Sycco join ASHWARYA, Birdz, Jerome Farah, and JK-47 as winners of the QMusic produced prize. 

Each artist will take home $15k each, as well as a mental health workshop with The Indigo Project, a digital marketing workshop with Bolster, and a fresh set of Levi’s® threads. 

Going from strength to strength since their inclusion in the 2020 BIGSOUND50 hot-list, Sycco and ASHWARYA dropped critically acclaimed debut EP's; Beddy Rays, BIRDZ and Sycco landed songs in triple j's Hottest 100; JK-47 took out triple j's Unearthed Artist of the Year; and Jerome Farah consistently dropped hits, selling out an impressive debut headline show at Chapel Off Chapel.

Levi’s® Head of Marketing, Trent Bos, is proud to continue Levi’s® support of Australian and New Zealand artists through the Levi's® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND.

“We believe music is a force for good. But belief without real backing isn’t enough to help aspiring musicians fulfill their ambitions, and our only hope is that this contribution can help these incredible artists do just that."

Delivering the good news in the wake of last week’s devastating cancellation of September’s BIGSOUND conference and festival, QMusic CEO, Kris Stewart said how critical the ongoing support of initiatives like the Levis® Music Prize is to the survival of the music industry.

“Our musicians and the music industry at large continue to be one of the hardest-hit sectors, having to prove their resilience time and time again in the face of cancellations and tougher restrictions than other industries. The Prize will go a long way to supporting these talented BIGSOUND artists to not only survive but thrive through COVID and beyond.”

The Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND has given almost $500,000 to artists and bands since its inception in 2017, including G-Flip, The Teskey Brothers, Alex Lahey, Angie McMahon and Ecca Vandal.

With the hardships experienced by the music industry since the onset of COVID-19, this cash boost and support package can help artists create opportunities that'll help to turn their dreams into reality. From touring and meeting industry execs to recording the next album, working with top producers and everything in between, the Levi’s® Music Prize in partnership with BIGSOUND is here to help.