Culture

SA’s music awards see pop starlet and APY rap group clean up

Oct 29, 2025, updated Oct 29, 2025

aleksiah and DEM MOB won big at the 2025 SA Music Awards. Graphic: Mikaela Balacco/CityMag.

Two major names of South Australian music won big at the South Australian Music Awards last night, both taking home four awards. Read the list of winners.

One of the state’s most exciting new voices in pop music has triumphed, alongside a mainstay winning rap group, at the 2025 South Australian Music Awards.

Pop singer aleksiah – a regular feature in CityMag’s Best New Music column – won three major awards including Best Song for her track ‘Clothes Off’, Best Solo Artist and Best Release for her EP Cry About It. She also won the People’s Choice Pop Award.

Meanwhile, DEM MOB also won three major awards, including Best Regional Artist, Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist and Best Music Educator, plus the People’s Choice Award for Hip Hop.

The sweep in 2025 is just the latest triumph for DEM MOB, which has now won 10 SA Music Awards in just three years.

Hosted for the first time at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the SA Music Awards drew artists and industry together to celebrate the best of the state’s contemporary music scene.

Attendees were treated to performances from nominees on the night, including the likes of Bromham, Lonelyspeck, J-MILLA and Oscar the Wild.

Music SA CEO Christine Schloithe said the awards “continue to showcase the brilliant talent emerging from South Australia”.

“This year’s winners are a collection of remarkable artists, businesses and professionals, who are not only shaping the sound of our state, but stamping their mark on the national industry,” Schloithe said.

This included the likes of Oscar the Wild and Ella Ion, who both claimed two awards.

The former – set to open for Australian rock royalty AC/DC at the bp Grand Final concert next month – won Best Group and the People’s Choice Award for Rock.

Singer songwriter Ella Ion meanwhile took home Best New Artist and the People’s Choice Award for Folk.

Music festival Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival was recognised with the Best Large Music Festival and Best Regional Music Venue, Festival or Music Event.

Other winners included effie isobel, winning Best Music Video for ‘Moon Made’, while Lion Arts Factory was picked as the state’s Best Live Music Venue.

Arts Minister Andrea Michaels congratulated the winners and finalists.

“All of you have made an important contribution to South Australian music this year and it’s wonderful to celebrate your achievements,” she said.

“As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music, a designation we have now held for 10 years, the Malinauskas Government is committed to supporting our state’s incredible musicians and growing the South Australian music sector for the future.”