Five years after his first, Genesis Owusu wins the J Award for Album of the Year again, and takes the video prize too

Genesis Owusu has won the triple j Australian Album of the Year for the second time, with his third album, REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE, as the 2026 J Awards winners were announced on Thursday afternoon.

The Canberra-raised artist first won the category in 2021. This was his third time nominated for it. He also won the triple j and rage Music Video of the Year for STAMPEDE, making him the only artist to take home two awards this year, from three nominations.

The J Awards, in their 21st year, are triple j’s annual music awards, judged by the national youth broadcaster’s music team. This year’s nominees and winners covered 23 Australian artists and four video directors.

What is the winning album about?

triple j describes REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE as a record that takes aim at billionaires and politicians, the online “manosphere” and algorithm-driven distraction, while staying hopeful in tone. Nominees were judged on creativity, musicianship, audience impact and contribution to the Australian scene.

It beat a strong field: Bugs’ HEAD NOISE, Ecca Vandal’s LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW, Julia Jacklin’s The Gem, KAYPS’ debut BUNUBA BABY, Nerve’s Growing Pains, South Summit’s RUN IT BACK, Swapmeet’s Mount Zero, Sycco’s Look Up and Troye Sivan’s She’s The Best.

Who else won?

• Unearthed Artist of the Year: Swapmeet. The Adelaide four-piece released their debut album, Mount Zero, this year, toured the US, Canada and six European countries and sold out an Australian tour. Their single I Know! became a fixture on Unearthed radio.
• Australian Live Act of the Year: Ninajirachi. The Central Coast electronic producer took her award-winning debut album, I Love My Computer, on the road this year with a high-energy visual show. She beat Tame Impala, Genesis Owusu, Ecca Vandal and Miss Kaninna.
• triple j and rage Music Video of the Year: Genesis Owusu, STAMPEDE. Directed by Isaac Brown and filmed in Accra. It beat clips by Drifting Clouds, Elektronik Girl Epic, Julia Jacklin and Miss Kaninna.
• Double J Australian Artist of the Year: Vika & Linda. The sisters released their ninth studio album, Where Do You Come From?, played more than 50 shows in 2026 and published a memoir, No Bull. They beat The Avalanches, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Mulga Bore Hard Rock Band and Rowena Wise.

Why do these awards matter?

The J Awards are chosen by triple j’s music team on creative merit and impact rather than sales, which is why they often back artists before the mainstream does. Past Double J Artist of the Year winners include Midnight Oil, Missy Higgins, Amyl and the Sniffers and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.

For Genesis Owusu, a second Album of the Year puts him in rare company, and comes after a year of headline touring and festival slots, including a triple j One Night Stand in Griffith that drew about 12,000 people.

For Swapmeet, the Unearthed award caps a breakout year that began with a debut album and ended with overseas touring.