FBi Radio has announced the winners in the 2018 FBi Sydney Music, Arts & Culture (SMAC) Awards following a record number of Sydneysiders having their say in the publicly voted awards recognising the musicians, artists, performers, restaurants and events that left their mark on the city in 2018.
 
The winners were announced during a ceremony at Carriageworks and broadcast live on FBi 94.5FM and hosted by FBi Radio alumni Hannah & Eliza Reilly, the awards featured live performances from Slim Set, Milan Ring and 100.

Record of the Year went to B Wise for ‘Area Famous’, the first ever hip hop record to take out the gong.
 
The 2018 SMAC of the Year is Managing director of MusicNSW, Emily Collins who was acknowledged for her work on the ground supporting and empowering artists and industry professionals in testing times, while simultaneously working behind the scenes as a passionate and effective advocate for change at the government level.
 
FBi Radio’s Managing Director, Nikki Brogan, says, “The SMAC of the Year this year goes to a person who shares our belief that a vibrant viable culture is a legitimate public interest, and she has worked tirelessly to arrest the contraction of the music industry in NSW.
 
“On the ground she’s provided invaluable hands-on support to artists and industry. With an eye always on who comes next, she’s made sure these offerings are accessible and relevant to people across the age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and ability spectrums.   
 
“At the same time as working to sustain the industry in all its diversity through this difficult period, she’s been instrumental in triggering the change we’re seeing in our politics. She’s been a driving force behind the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Music and Arts Economy, an advisor to the Callinan Review into the lockout laws, Deputy chair of the Australian Music Industry Network and member of the Cities, Nightlife and Creative Sector advisory panel.
 
“Without fanfare, she has built a comprehensive case for culture in our state, helped unite a disparate industry around it and taken it with iron resolve to the corridors of power.” 
 
The FBi SMAC Awards have championed Sydney’s most exciting new talent every year since 2008and this year’s winners will join past recipients including Cloud Control, Hermitude, Sarah Blasko, Flume, Body Type, Royal Headache, Rainbow Chan and Angela Goh.