The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) returned to the Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country on Saturday (8 August), spotlighting First Nations talent.
Across seven award categories and an evening of unforgettable live performances, the richness of Blak sound and storytelling was front and centre.
Baker Boy took home three major awards: Album of the Year for his luminous album DJANDJAY, as well as Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year, both for THICK SKIN. The track also features vocals from Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel.
Birdz & Fred Leone were crowned with the prestigious Artist of the Year award for their first-ever NIMAs win, and Drifting Clouds was named New Talent of the Year. Elsewhere, Northern Peninsula Area won the Community Clip of the Year, and the Bulman School & Community were awarded the Indigenous Language Award for LOK LOK MAH BURARR (Lizard & Goanna).
Along with the awards, live sets from First Nations performers stunned audiences. triple j Unearthed winner Kyla Belle opened the show, followed by a performance by Casii Williams.
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Other notable moments of the evening included Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band being inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame, as well as standout performances from Bumpy, Zipporah, Stiff Gins, South Summit, Electric Fields, and BIG NOTER. Plus, Baker Boy surprised the audience with a performance that also starred Emma Donovan, and Saltwater Band themselves played a historic set.
In a statement, MusicNT’s Mark Smith said of this year’s awards, “Last night’s celebration brought together some of the most incredible music and musicians this country produces, showcasing the rich connection of family and culture.
“From the Red Flag Dancers opening to closing the night, honouring our newest Hall of Fame inductees, Saltwater Band, the NIMAs are proud to continue as a platform supporting and spotlighting this country’s most exciting music scene.”
THE 2026 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Artist of the Year
3%
Baker Boy
Birdz and Fred Leone - WINNER
BUMPY
Jem Cassar-Daley
Miss Kaninna
South Summit
Best New Talent
Drifting Clouds - WINNER
Inkabee
Jet Cameron
Say True God?
Voices of Resistance
Zipporah
Album of the Year
Baker Boy - DJANDJAY - WINNER
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 - WINNER
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” - WINNER
Wujal Wujal - “Rainforest to the Sea”
Song of the Year
Baker Boy - “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel - WINNER
Birdz & Fred Leone - “Wanya Nyin Yanmanj”
Drifting Clouds - “Bawuypawuy”
Jem Cassar-Daley - “Front Left Pocket”
Yung Maynie - “Always Was”
Zipporah - “Some Typa Way”
INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AWARD
Bulman School & Community - “LOK LOK MAH BURARR” (Lizard & Goanna) - WINNER
HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
Marlene Cummins
Saltwater Band
