Briggs, Jessica Mauboy & Dan Sultan Among Big Winners At 2015 NIMAs

The annual National Indigenous Music Awards demonstrated the impressive diversity of the country's Indigenous music scenes last week, when among its major winners for the evening were hip hop workhorse Briggs, celebrated chanteuse Jessica Mauboy and stalwart troubadour Dan Sultan.

Briggs walked away from Saturday night's ceremony with two prizes to his name: the award for Album Of The Year (for Sheplife) and Film Clip Of The Year (for Bad Apples, produced by Heath Kerr and Josh Davis).

Meanwhile, Sultan and Mauboy jointly claimed the prestigious title of Artist Of The Year, an unprecedented occurrence for the NIMAs.

"What a great honour to receive this award, and when I saw the list of finalists this year it dawned on me just how many more names are yet to be awarded this very same one I happily share with Jess," Sultan said of the win in a statement. "There's so much great talent coming through and it's a privilege to be in the same company."

The honour of having created Song Of The Year went to venerated songstress Thelma Plum, whose How Much Does Your Love Cost? was recognised by NIMA judges, while fellow former triple j Unearthed winner Philly got the nod for New Talent Of The Year.

It wasn't just contemporary artists given the time of day, however; the NT Traditional Music Award Of The Year was also bestowed upon two acts this year, both hailing from North East Arnhem Land — Djalu Gurruwiwi, a healer and "the world's primary custodian of the Yidaki (didgeridoo)", and East Journey.

The 2015 NIMAs, held in Darwin this past Saturday, also saw the induction into the awards' hall of fame legendary Centralian Indigenous rock outfit Blekbala Mujik and fellow influential icon Vic Simms, and featured performances from Gurrumul, East Journey (feat. Yothu Yindi), Frank Yamma, B2M, The Painted Ladies, Blekbala Mujik, Yirrmal and Zane Francis.

See the full list of winners below.

2015 nima winners

artist of the year

Jessica Mauboy & Dan Sultan

album of the year

Briggs — Sheplife

song of the year

Thelma Plum — How Much Does Your Love Cost?

new talent of the year

Philly

cover art of the year

Radical Son — Cause N Affect, designed by Spencer Harvey & Lloyd Harvey

film clip of the year

Briggs — Bad Apples, produced by Heath Kerr & Josh Davis

community music clip

Cairns Murri Crew — Built To Last

traditional award

Djalu Gurruwiwi & East Journey for Mokuy & Bonba

hall of fame

Vic Simms & Blekbala Mujik

school band of the year

The Karungkarni Band