A proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali woman, Miss Kaninna is a Naarm-based (Melbourne) First Nations artist, hailing from lutriwita/Tasmania. Making waves with her breakout debut single ‘Blak Britney’ in May 2023, the rapper/singer/songwriter has been on a meteoric rise, emerging as a potent voice of punk and power in so-called Australia.

Raised on the shores of Bruny Island, Miss Kaninna has been commanding stages from a young age, carrying forward the storytelling of her ancestors and fearlessly bringing them into the present.

Blak Britney arrived to critical acclaim, immediately captivating audiences with Miss Kaninna’s ferocious charisma. An anti-establishment anthem written to amplify the voices of Black women, the single garnered widespread acclaim, landing full rotation and within a fortnight was the #1 most-played song on triple j.

In the wake of its success, she commanded stages across the nation, her electrifying live performances spreading like wildfire. Securing coveted spots at premier festivals such as Meredith Music Festival, Haydays Music & Arts Festival, Beyond the Valley, Wildlands, Sun Cycle, and a spot on the national 2024 Laneway tour alongside Stormzy, Raye, and Steve Lacy, she solidified her status as a rising star. Her standout performances at the inaugural SXSW Sydney earned her the inaugural Justin Cosby Award for Best Emerging Artist, further cementing her as one to watch.

Recognised for her groundbreaking work, she was named the 2023 triple j Unearthed Artist of The Year and in 2024, she made history as the first Indigenous woman nominated for an ARIA Award for a debut single, securing three nominations for Blak Britney. Floating effortlessly between Hip Hop, Neo-soul and R&B, Miss Kaninna arrives to claim BLACK POP in so-called Australia.

THE GREAT ESCAPE SHOWCASES

Thursday May 15
Sounds Australia At Komedia
Komedia (Studio Stage)
2:25pm

Friday May 16
AWAL Showcase
Komedia (Basement Stage)
8:30pm

Saturday May 17
Sounds Australia At The Beach
TGE Beach (BIGSOUND Stage)
3:50pm