If you needed proof that Rachael Fahim is firmly in her breakout era, the 2026 APRA Music Awards just delivered it.
Held at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, this year’s ceremony doubled as a centenary celebration, but for country fans, all eyes were on the Most Performed Country Work category and Fahim walked away with the win for Who You Are.
It marks a major milestone for the rising Australian artist, who has steadily been building momentum over the past few years. The track, co-written with Keenan Te, Liam Quinn, Shawn Mayer and Vlado Saric, clearly struck a chord, earning enough airplay and streams to top the country category.
And honestly, it couldn’t come at a better time.
Fahim is gearing up to drop her brand new album also titled Who You Are this Friday, a release that’s been quietly building hype across the local scene. While she’s already carved out a reputation for emotionally sharp songwriting and polished, radio ready bangers, this new chapter feels like it could push her into a whole new lane.
The APRA win only adds fuel to that fire.
While the night itself celebrated a broad mix of genres and artists, Fahim’s win represents a new wave of Australian country that leans modern, crossover friendly and deeply personal, sitting comfortably alongside global influences while still keeping that local storytelling edge.
And in a space that’s becoming increasingly competitive, especially with more Aussie artists breaking through internationally, moments like this matter. They signal who’s cutting through, who’s connecting, and who might be next to level up.
Fahim also sets off on her Who You Are National Tour tomorrow. You can catch her at one of these stops below.
RACHAEL FAHIM
WHO YOU ARE NATIONAL TOUR
Thu April 30 - La La La’s - Wollongong, NSW
Fri May 1 - Camden Hotel - Camden, NSW
Sat May 2 - Tourist Hotel - Canberra, ACT
Thu May 7 - Northcote Social Club - Melbourne, VIC
Sat May 9 - Jive - Adelaide, SA
Fri May 15 - Blackbear Lodge- Brisbane, QLD
Sat May 16 - Distillery Road Market - Logan, QLD
Fri May 22 - The Stag & Hunter Hotel - Newcastle, NSW
Sat May 23 - The Landsdowne - Sydney, NSW
Fri May 29 - Drifters Wharf - Gosford, NSW
Countrytown brings you Australia’s best country music news, interviews, charts and more every week! This post was authored by Countrytown and originally published on the Countrytown website. It has been re-published with permission.
