A million, billion, trillion congratulations to triple j Unearthed High winner Mariae Cassandra

​16-year-old singer-songwriter Mariae Cassandra has won triple j’s 2024 Unearthed High Competition with Drive hosts Abby & Tyrone today heading to her Perth home to surprise Mariae with the good news.

Her winning song Million Billion Trillion, its catchy lyrics a homage to her best friend, has been floating along my and the triple j Unearthed team‘s heads nearly every day since we first heard it.

triple j Unearthed Music Director Dave Ruby Howe said:

“Mariae Cassandra’s songwriting has such a rare sweet and sticky quality that the Unearthed team has been hitting repeat on ‘Million Billion Trillion’ for roughly that same number of plays! As we usher in a new Unearthed High champion with Mariae, we’re in awe of an artist whose hooks and lyrics are gonna inspire fandom and obsession in equal amounts.”

The talented teenager started being homeschooled this year to focus on her music, and it has certainly paid off. Her prize includes a songwriting session with her choice of one of four huge Australian artists (Cosmo’s Midnight, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Peach PRC or Kobie Dee), flights and accommodation to the session, plus mentorship and support from artist and industry experts.

There were 1,127 entries from high school-aged Australian artists this year with the other four finalists Chris Vincent, That Gurl Bella, Zafty and Frank and Louis and the Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative Winner RIAH. 

For more on Unearthed High head to triple j Unearthed.

​Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radio Today