Baker Boy, Gurrumul & Jessica Mauboy Lead NIMA 2018 Nominations

9 July 2018 | 10:32 am | Staff Writer

The awards' 15th year is shaping up to be its biggest yet.

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The National Indigenous Music Awards are back for another year and today sees the announcement of both nominees and performers for the 11 August ceremony. 

Rising star Baker Boy and the legendary Gurrumul lead the nominations, with three apiece, while Jessica MauboyDan SultanAlice SkyeKardajala Kirridarra and Emily Wurramara are all up for two awards. 

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the award ceremony and is promising to be among the biggest yet, with performances from Baker Boy, Busby Marou, Kasey Chambers & Alan Pigram and more scheduled for the evening.

"The growth in the National Indigenous Music Awards has mirrored the growth of Indigenous music more generally over the last fifteen years," said NIMA Reference Group Chair, Warren H Williams.

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"As our musicians have continued their journey of taking their rightful place at the forefront of Australian music, the awards have been there not just to celebrate their successes, but to be a launching pad for new talent and discovery vehicle for musicians, whether they are from Darwin, Devonport, Derby, Dubbo or the Daintree."

Check out the full list of nominees below. 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Dan Sultan - Killer
Emily Wurramara – Milyakburra 
Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) 
Kardajala Kirridarra – Kardajala Kirridarra 
Kuren – Melting Conceptually

SONG OF THE YEAR

Baker Boy – Marryuna 
Busby Marou – Days Of Gold 
Dan Sultan - Kingdom 
Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) 
Kardajala Kirridarra - Ngurra 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

A.B. Original
Archie Roach
Electric Fields
Gurrumul
Jessica Mauboy

BEST NEW TALENT
(Presented by Spotify)

Alice Skye
Baker Boy
Emily Wurramara
Isaiah
Ziggy Ramo

FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR

Alice Skye - Friends With Feelings
Baker Boy - Marryuna
Birdz - This Side
Black Rock Band – Bininj Kuborrk 
Jessica Mauboy – We Got Love

COMMUNITY CLIP OF THE YEAR

Ali Curung NT – Bounce With Me
B-Town Warriors – Thundercloud: Bourke
Condobolin, NSW: The Condo Crew – How Ya Feelin
Githabul Next Generation – Looking Out For Country Mulli Mulli
Yiyili Mawoolie – Yiyili Kids