Arno Faraji crowned 2017 Unearthed High winner

PRESS RELEASE:

Squeezing into school uniforms this morning, triple j brekkie boys Ben & Liam went undercover at Shenton College in Perth to surprise our 2017 Unearthed High winner.

To the delight of hundreds of screaming school kids and no doubt the nation, we’re super proud to introduce 17 year old Arno Faraji who deservedly takes out this year’s Unearthed High competition with his song ’Destiny’s’.

Celebrating the 10^th year of the competition, Arno joins previous winners Gretta Ray, Japanese Wallpaper, Asta and Mosquito Coast all making their mark at a very young age. 

Arno Faraji has been playing music since his Dad bought him his first guitar at age 11 and has since dabbled in bass, trumpet and self-taught piano. Things got serious when he started experimenting with beat making and rapping in late 2016, with Arno taking inspiration from forward thinking hip hop artists like Sampa The Great, Chance The Rapper and Tkay Maidza. We’re in awe of Arno’s incredible natural talents as a producer and rapper and don’t think it’ll be long before he’s leading the next generation of exciting Aussie artists.

triple j Unearthed Music Director Dave Ruby Howe says “When you first hit play on Arno Faraji’s track ‘Destiny’s’ you can immediately tell that it’s not your ordinary hip hop track. Yeah, Arno’s raps crackle with intelligence and electrifying attitude but it’s the self produced futuristic house beat that elevates the track to another level. Damn, if it doesn’t just creep down from your ears and propel your feet to dance. In Arno Faraji we’ve discovered an extraordinary teenager who’s only just beginning to tap the potential of his talent.”

Arno Faraji will now be flown to triple j to record, mix or master his music, which will be played on triple j and triple j Unearthed.

Stay tuned for the video capturing the moment Arno realizes he’s won Unearthed High later today!

Massive shout out to all our 2017 finalists too, we can’t wait to hear more from Ninajirachi, Stevie Jean, SŸDE and Taj Ralph who no doubt have very bright futures ahead of them.