Genesis Owusu Leads Triple J’s 2026 J Awards Nominations

With three nominations, Genesis Owusu leads the pack. Ecca Vandal, Julia Jacklin and Miss Kaninna are close behind with two nods each. Genesis Owusu Isaac Brown With three nominations, Genesis Owusu leads the pack heading into triple J’s 2026 J Awards, while Ecca Vandal, Julia Jacklin and Miss Kaninna are among the two-time nominees. Explore See latest videos, charts and news Owusu is a hard man to beat. In a career spanning just three albums, the genre-blurring artist has already collected the Australian Music Prize, the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, AIR Awards, and seven ARIAs. The Ghana-born, Canberra-raised artist can fill his boots with triple j Australian album (Redstar Wu & The Worldwide Scourge), Australian live act and music video of the year (“Stampede,” directed by Isaac Brown). He claimed triple j’s coveted J Award for Australian album of the year in 2021 with his debut Smiling With No Teeth. Ecca Vandal is up for live act and album of the year (for Looking For People To Unfollow); Jacklin has chances for album of the year (The Gem) and music video of the year, jointly presented with ABC’s music video program Rage (for “The Hardest Thing,” directed by Danny Cohen); and Miss Kaninna is in the running for live act and music video of the year (for “Backstreets,” directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore). This year, triple j is handing out trophies in five categories: Australian album of the year, Unearthed artist of the year, Double J artist of the year, Australian music video of the year, and Australian live act of the year. Nominations in each category are shaped from triple j staff, while the final judging panel of each award consists of the music and on-air teams at triple j, Unearthed, Double J and rage. All counted, 23 Australian artists and four directors are in the hunt. Winners announced on air Thursday afternoon, Nov. 12, to kick off Ausmusic Month on triple j, Double J and Unearthed. Read more here. 2026 J Award Nominees: Unearthed Artist of the Year DEVAURA KAYPS Public Figures Swapmeet 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 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 Australian Live act of the Year Ecca Vandal Genesis Owusu Miss Kaninna Ninajirachi Tame Impala triple j & Rage 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 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 Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up