Rise Up celebrates five WAM Song of the Year recognitions
Rise Up, Boss Arts Creative’s community-driven artist development program, is celebrating five artists in the WAM Song of the Year Top 20.
Among them, sisters Alyssa and Kenzo were both selected as Top 5 finalists in the Outstanding Indigenous category — Alyssa for Walk With The Elders and Kenzo for The Fire.
Key Points
- Five Rise Up artists recognised in WAM Song of the Year Top 20
- Sisters Alyssa, 15, and Kenzo, 12, are Top 5 finalists
- Kenzo’s The Fire released April 10 and drew strong support
- Alyssa’s Walk With The Elders to be released May 27
- Awards take place May 27 at The Rechabite
- Past success includes ICONYX track Blak On Trak recognition
- Rise Up planning more releases, videos, performances and a showcase event
The program supports emerging First Nations artists through songwriting, recording, performance opportunities, mentorship, and cultural storytelling. Organisers said the latest results reflect growing momentum for the initiative and its artists.
“We’re incredibly proud to see these artists recognised at this level. There’s so much hard work, passion, and heart that goes into everything we do through Rise Up and Boss Arts Creative, so seeing five artists recognised in the Top 20 — and Alyssa and Kenzo both named Top 5 finalists — is really special,” Boss Arts founder Della Rae Morrison said.
Four recognised Rise Up artists named publicly include:
- Alyssa — Walk With The Elders (Top 5 Finalist, Outstanding Indigenous)
- Kenzo — The Fire (Top 5 Finalist, Outstanding Indigenous)
- Worlmiyak — We Are The People (Top 20)
- Indigo Ellis — Drama Queen (Top 20)
Tracks and release timelines
Kenzo’s nominated track The Fire was released on April 10 and has received strong online support and community recognition.
Alyssa’s nominated track Walk With The Elders is set for official release on May 27, coinciding with the WAM Song of the Year Awards at The Rechabite. The release will be accompanied by a music video that organisers describe as grounded in culture, storytelling, and community connection.
The Outstanding Indigenous category placements for Alyssa and Kenzo underscores the role of Rise Up in providing pathways for young artists to develop original material and build performance profiles.
Building momentum
Organisers said the 2026 results continue a growing history of industry recognition for artists connected to Rise Up. Last year, ICONYX received attention at the WAM Song of the Year for the Rise Up track Blak On Trak.
