National Indigenous Music Awards Reveal 2026 Nominees

Rounding out NAIDOC Week’s 50 Years of Deadly theme, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) have announced the nominees for this year’s awards.

Six categories are in play this year, and 24 acts have received nominations ahead of the awards. The cousin duo of Birdz and Fred Leone lead the charge with four nominations, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for their album GIRA, and Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year for Wanya Nyin Yanmanj.

Other Artist of the Year nominees include South Summit, Miss Kaninna, Jem Cassar-Daley, Baker Boy, Bumpy, and 3%. For Best New Talent, artists including Drifting Clouds, Zipporah, Say True God?, Jet Cameron, Inkabee and for the campaign Voices of Resistance, featuring Dallas Woods, Nooky, Fred Leone, RIAH and Soju Gang.

The Album of the Year category is once again packed with incredible talent, with Baker Boy, Birdz and Fred Leone, Emma Donovan, Say True God?, Stiff Gins, and Trials all vying for the top prize. Song of the Year also features Baker Boy, Birdz and Fred Leone, Drifting Clouds, and Jem Cassar-Daley, with Yung Maynie and Zipporah also picking up nominations.

You can see the full list of nominees below.

Today, it was also announced that South Summit have joined the performers’ line-up hitting the stage at the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday, 8 August. Tickets to this year’s award ceremony are available here.

“2026 National Indigenous Music Awards nominees represent an extraordinary diverse showcase of the incredible talent shaping First Nations music today,” said Music NT’s Catherine Satour.

Satour continued, “This year's list is one of our strongest yet, celebrating artists who are pushing creative boundaries, sharing powerful stories and continuing to inspire audiences across this country. Congratulations to every finalist, looking forward to honouring your achievements together on Larrakia Country in August.”

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS – 2026

Saturday 8 August - Darwin Amphitheatre, Garramilla/Darwin, NT

AWARD CATEGORIES:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

3%
Baker Boy
Birdz and Fred Leone
BUMPY
Jem Cassar-Daley
Miss Kaninna
South Summit

BEST NEW TALENT

Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Inkabee
Jet Cameron
Say True God?
Dallas Woods, Nooky, Fred Leone, RIAH & Soju Gang - “Voices of Resistance”
Zipporah - Some Typa Way

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Baker Boy - Djandjay
Birdz & Fred Leone - GIRA
Emma Donovan - Take Me to The River
Say True God? - BLAK
Stiff Gins - Crossroads
Trials – Hendle

FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR

3% - Our Greats
Baker Boy - THICK SKIN feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel
Birdz & Fred Leone - Wanya Nyin Yanmanj
Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Kobie Dee - Aim For The Stars
South Summit - Top of the Hill

COMMUNITY CLIP OF THE YEAR

Bulman School & Community - LOK LOK MAH BURARR (Lizard & Goanna)
Geraldton TIS - Barndi Yarraly (Vaping is Vicious, Not Delicious)
K2 the B and CJR - Barunga
Mossman Gorge - Yundu Bama Yalada
Mossman Mob - Still Believing
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) - All The Way From The NPA
Wujal Wujal - Rainforest to the Sea

SONG OF THE YEAR

Baker Boy - THICK SKIN feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel
Birdz & Fred Leone - Wanya Nyin Yanmanj
Drifting Clouds - Bawuypawuy
Jem Cassar-Daley - Front Left Pocket
Yung Maynie - Always Was
ZIPPORAH - Some Typa Way

2026 LIVE PERFORMANCE LINEUP

Baker Boy
BIG NOTER
Bumpy
Casii Williams
Electric Fields
South Summit (just added)
Stiff Gins
Zipporah
+ more to be announced