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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.
“I remember seeing G Flip and Hatchie win over the last few years and manifesting in those moments! Hopefully we can tour overseas next year so the money will definitely assist with getting over there! This is so awesome, I cannot believe it!”
Sasha McLeod
Sycco
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.”
"Winning the Levi’s Music Prize in these current times is such a huge help towards this dream while we can’t play many gigs to help fund the album. Now we can make this happen without a mi goreng diet that would shave a couple years off our lives."
Beddy Rays
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.
Helplines and resources for discrimination, abuse and assault.
QMusic and the brains behind BIGSOUND have teamed up for the ultimate end-of-year party on Sunday, November 28! Join in on the biggest party to see out a year that sucked and welcome a funner Summer!
Following ongoing reports of systemic bullying, discrimination, and misconduct under Handlin’s leadership at Sony Music Entertainment, Queensland's peak music industry body QMusic has revoked Handlin's 2020 Honorary Award.
The Australian music industry is a delicate ecosystem at risk of total collapse unless it receives critical life support. The success of Australia’s live music industry lies in the people who make the show go on - the technicians, engineers, managers, hiring companies and more - those who are COVID’s invisible victims.
The Billy Thorpe Scholarship returns for 2022, providing the opportunity for an emerging artist to receive $10,000, record with an established producer, and receive career planning from Chugg Entertainment. Applications close 11:59 (AEST) 21 October 2021.
Brisbane psych-pop star, Sycco, claims her place in the Valley Walk of Fame for her hit song 'Dribble'.