The 2026 J Awards are in the books, with the likes of Genesis Owusu, Swapmeet and Ninajirachi coming out as big winners on the day.
Other winners confirmed today include Swapmeet as the Unearthed Artist of the Year, and Ninajirachi as the Australian Live Act of the Year.
“We’re incredibly proud to see Genesis Owusu take home this year’s J Award for Album of the Year. This record is testament to Genesis Owusu’s unmatched and extraordinary creativity, authenticity and ability to create a body of work that is as thought provoking as it is impactful,” triple j Music Director Claire Mooney said.
“If there’s one record the world gets to listen to in 2026, I hope it’s this one!”
Check out all of the winners below.
2026 J Awards Winners:
Unearthed Artist of the Year
DEVAURA
Kayps
Public Figures
Swapmeet (WINNER)
The Tullamarines
triple j Australian Album of the Year
Bugs – HEAD NOISE
Ecca Vandal – LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW
Genesis Owusu – REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE (WINNER)
Julia Jacklin – The Gem
Kayps – BUNUBA BABY
Nerve – Growing Pains
South Summit – RUN IT BACK
Swapmeet – Mount Zero
Sycco – Look Up
Troye Sivan – She’s the Best
triple j Australian Live Act of the Year
Ecca Vandal
Genesis Owusu
Miss Kaninna
Ninajirachi (WINNER)
Tame Impala
rage and triple j Australian Music Video of the Year
Drifting Clouds – “Rarrandharr” (Directed by Matt Sav)
Elektronik Girl Epic – “I Love Stealing From Woolies” (Directed by Elektronik Girl Epic)
Genesis Owusu – “STAMPEDE” (Directed by Isaac Brown) (WINNER)
Julia Jacklin – “The Hardest Thing” (Directed by Danny Cohen)
Miss Kaninna – “BACKSTREETS” (Directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore)
Double J Australian Artist of the Year
The Avalanches
Eddy Current Suppression Ring
Mulga Bore Hard Rock
Rowena Wise
Vika & Linda (WINNER)
From The Music Network
