What a amazing year it’s been for upcoming local emcee Remi. After taking out the award for Best Independent Hip Hop Release at last night’s Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards, it was further announced that he was the winner of their $50,000 Global Music Grant.

Last year, the grant was introduced by Carlton Dry to help emerging musicians make their dreams a reality. 2013’s recipient was King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, who used the money to tour and record extensively over the United States. Obviously, this grant is a godsend to those wishing to take their music to international gigs and airwaves.

With over 100 entrants from across the country, the Carlton Dry team had the tough time of narrowing it down to just five finalists: Fractures, Saskwatch, SAFIA, The Smith Street Band & Remi. Againt some tough competition, Remi took out the prize, storming the stage in Nike Tech Fleece trackpants and exuding confidence.

And why wouldn’t he be confident? The young emcee is currently rewriting all stereotypes surrounding Australian hip-hop with his soulful, introspective take on urban music. Delivery-wise, he’s also a little more eclectic – switching effortlessly between rapping and R&B-infused singing. This is shown prominently on his album Raw X Infinity, a sophomore album that was unanimously hailed by fans and chosen as Triple J’s Feature Album upon release. In 2013, he was also crowned as Triple J’s Unearthed Artist of the Year.

Remi also backed up the record with a headline tour across the country, as well as performances on the RISE tour promoting Michelle Grace Hunder‘s photography book chronicling the local hip-hop scene. The Carlton Dry Global Music Grant will help fund Remi’s upcoming European & American tours later in 2014. As someone who’s truly earned his reputation as a progressive trailblazer, we have no doubt that the world will soon be familiar with Remi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNUD19rgB6g

Congratulations to Remi, Sensible J, Dutch and all others involved in this colossal win. We can’t wait to see who takes out the Global Music Grant in 2015.