Australian producer, DJ, and artist Ninajirachi is riding high after winning the prestigious Australian Music Prize (AMP) for her debut album I Love My Computer (via NLV Records). The 26-year-old visited the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) studios on Friday morning, November 7, radiating excitement over the achievement.
The AMP, often regarded as Australia’s “album of the year,” is judged on artistic merit rather than commercial success. Winners receive a trophy and a A$50,000 prize. Ninajirachi described the win as “so awesome” during an appearance on ABC’s News Breakfast. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me. It’s kind of crazy, but really awesome. Even to be shortlisted was so flattering. But no, I didn’t expect this to happen.”
The award marks the beginning of an ambitious year for the artist, who is also shortlisted for two J Awards, including Triple J’s Album of the Year. She is further in contention for multiple ARIA Awards, with nominations spanning Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist, Best Independent Release, and Best Dance/Electronic Release, among others.
Ninajirachi’s touring schedule kicks off on 28 November with an Australian tour, including festival appearances and one-off shows. Early 2025 will see her perform in New Zealand, followed by a U.S. run starting 15 January at a sold-out show at Holocene in Portland, Oregon, before making her Coachella debut. She teased, “I’m so excited for Coachella. I can’t wait.” Additional international dates are expected to be announced soon.
Reflecting on her debut album, she said, “I really just had a good time making an album. I hope I can keep making albums that feel as good as this one did. I’ve been making music for a long time, and I could have never predicted what this year would look like. So it’s hard to say what the future holds. I just hope it keeps feeling as fun as it has been recently.”
For Ninajirachi, 2025 promises to be a landmark year, balancing global performances with ongoing creative exploration.