Ninajirachi Wins 2026 NSW Music Prize, 3% and BOY SODA Also Honoured

Ninajirachi has taken out the top honour at the 2026 NSW Music Prize, leading 3% and BOY SODA as this year's winners of the $160,000 prize pool.

The electronic artist was awarded the $80,000 NSW Music Prize for her debut album I Love My Computer at a ceremony held at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art Australia on Monday night.

First Nations hip-hop group 3% received the $40,000 NSW First Nations Music Prize for their singles "These Days", "Running Through My Head", and "Our Greats", while Sydney R&B artist BOY SODA was named NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year, also receiving $40,000.

Another major milestone for Ninajirachi, the win comes just 12 months after she won the inaugural NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year award. 

Her debut album, I Love My Computer, has enjoyed considerable success since its release, topping the ARIA Dance Albums Chart and earning eight ARIA Award nominations, with three wins. The record also claimed the 2025 Australian Music Prize and triple j's Album of the Year, while Ninajirachi has continued to build an international following through festival appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Laneway.

"Thank you so much for awarding me the 2026 NSW Music Prize for my album I Love My Computer," Ninajirachi said. "So much of this music is about growing up on the Central Coast in NSW. There are lyrics about getting the 64 bus home from school, there's a lyric about it taking an hour to get from Kincumber to Gosford, and we shot some of the music videos in Copa[cabana] and Avoca. It means a lot for it to be honoured in this way. 

"Unless you come from money or connections or have a big label deal, it only happens when your community shows up for you and they lift you up again and again and again. You do that for each other, and then it compounds, then there's a breakout artist moment, but it's actually a collective effort of friends supporting each other over a long period of time. 

"…And also to all of the Australian journalists and radio show hosts and promoters who care about Australian music and showed my music to their audiences when there were like ten people who had ever heard it. Thank you guys so much, I really owe this to you. 

"This album has changed my life, thank you so much Sound NSW."

Meanwhile, 3%'s win follows another significant year for the First Nations collective, which now comprises Nooky, Dallas Woods and Mi-kaisha Rose Masella. Following the success of their ARIA Award-winning debut album Kill the Dead, the group returned in 2026 with "Not Many (Ganay Biralunbar)", featuring Fred Leone and Scribe.

The track featured in a FOX Sports campaign during the NRL Finals, while the group also delivered a performance at BIGSOUND 2026, marking a new chapter following Mi-kaisha's addition to the lineup.

BOY SODA's Breakthrough Artist win comes amid growing international momentum for the Sydney singer-songwriter. His debut album SOUL STAR has accumulated more than 15 million streams, while its single "Lil Obsession" won Best Soul/R&B Release at the 2025 ARIA Awards.

The artist has also expanded his live presence overseas, performing at Japan's Summer Sonic Festival in August before making his US live debut with shows in Los Angeles and New York in September.

Now in its second year, the NSW Music Prize was established by the Minns Labor Government to recognise local musical talent and provide financial support to artists navigating an increasingly competitive industry.

Delivered by Sound NSW as part of the state's 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy, the awards attracted 16 finalists across three categories this year.

NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham congratulated the winners, highlighting the significance of Ninajirachi's progression from last year's breakthrough category to the main prize.

"NSW music is having a moment and these three winners are leading it. Congratulations to Ninajirachi, 3% and BOY SODA, we can’t wait to see where this takes you. Last year Ninajirachi took home the inaugural Breakthrough Artist of the Year title, and it’s been exciting to see her career trajectory over the past 12 months, to receiving the 2026 NSW Music Prize tonight."

Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins added: "The NSW Music Prize was created to celebrate exactly that. Ninajirachi, 3% and BOY SODA each embody the innovation, authenticity and creative ambition that keeps NSW at the forefront of Australian music.

"Sound NSW is proud to deliver a prize that celebrates our artists and invests in their futures, and we can’t wait to see what the winners do next."

Hosted by triple j Mornings presenter Lucy Smith, Monday night's ceremony also featured live performances from RAGEFLOWER, BOY SODA and 3%.