National Indigenous Music Awards Open Nominations & Announce First Album

The National Indigenous Music Awards have opened nominations for their 14th annual celebration this August, complementing the news with the announcement of their first-ever CD collection of Indigenous music.

Returning to Darwin's historic Amphitheatre to commemorate a landmark year for Indigenous musicians — a year that saw a historic win for A.B. Original at the Australian Music Prize ceremony, #1 ARIA results for Jessica Mauboy and Busby Marou, Troy Cassar-Daley nabbing the Album Of The Year Golden Guitar in Tamworth and the meteoric ascent of young Qld musician Tia Gostelow, among other notable achievements — the NIMAs are open to nominations from any Indigenous artists from Australia and the Torres Strait, and will feature performances from a range of exemplary acts.

"2017 promises to be a watershed year for Indigenous music, with some of the most anticipated releases of the year coming from Indigenous acts," MusicNT's Executive Director, Mark Smith, said in a statement. "MusicNT is excited to launch this year's National Indigenous Music Awards, and looks forward to celebrating and showcasing some of the country’s biggest talent in August."

In addition to the ceremony itself, the NIMAs have collaborated with Warner Music Australia to create the National Indigenous Music Awards CD, coming in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the national referendum to recognise Indigenous people.

The album will be a two-CD set that celebrates both contemporary and "all-time" favourites, with the first disc a tribute to the best of Indigenous music from 2016-17, and the second including some of the best-known and best-loved Indigenous tunes of the past half-century, including tracks from Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Jimmy Little, Christine Anu, No Fixed Address and more.

This year's NIMAs event will be held on Saturday 12 August.

To submit a nomination or secure your tickets, head this way — and get ready for a night unlike any other on the national music calendar.