A.B. Original Lead 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations

The best in Indigenous music will be celebrated at next month's National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) ceremony in Darwin, with celebrated hip hop duo A.B. Original leading the charge of nominees with four nods to their name.

The acclaimed two-piece, comprised of rappers Briggs and Trials, have picked up recognition in the categories of Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year (for Reclaim Australia), Song Of The Year and Film Clip Of The Year (both for January 26). They'll also be performing on the night with fellow (dual) nominee Dan Sultan.

Trials told The Music that the NIMA nods in particular carry weight for the pair, given that "it's the community [Reclaim Australia] is for".

"They’re giving us the tip of the hat, saying they approve and that’s what the record was all about for us," he said. "As far as awards and accolades go, NIMAs mean a lot to Briggs and I.

"It’s like a big family/school reunion for us, so we’re excited for it."

Briggs added that he feels the record was particularly impactful because he and Trials took something of a 'nothing-to-lose' approach to its creation, initially believing it would be the only release they would create under the A.B. Original moniker — though those plans have evidently changed in the time since its arrival.

"I think [Reclaim Australia’s] honesty really resonated and the fact that we did go all out because we thought it was going to be the first and only one that we did as A.B.," he told The Music. "That vulnerability was there and that’s what people were drawn to.

"We see changes in how far our voice can land now and how far our direction can go. We don’t get ignored any more, because we are a sound and formidable opinion."

"What we do when we’re up [on stage] is try to educate and try bring people into the reality of our world, and whether that’s about inclusion or exclusion, we want to make that message loud and fucking clear," Trials concluded.

Though the duo has scored the most NIMA nods, they're not the only act to pick up multiple nominations — in fact, country legend Troy Cassar-Daley is right on their heels, with nominations for Artist, Album and Song of the Year (the latter two for Things I Carry Around and its title track).

Meanwhile, Yirrmal, Leah Flanagan, Lonely Boys and Emily Wurramara have all earned two nominations apiece, with fellow nominees including the likes of Apakatjah, Electric Fields, Tia Gostelow, Jessica Mauboy, Busby Marou and more.

"I’m both very proud and honoured to be announced as a finalist for NIMA Song Of The Year and Best New Talent," Yirrmal said of his dual nominations in a statement. "I have a great respect for all the other artists who I’m nominated beside, and I think this is a great recognition for us all — a nice pat on the back to say that we’re on the right track, keep up the hard work.

"The music industry is pretty hard and you don’t always know if you’re doing the right thing, if the decisions you’ve made are the right ones — so this nomination is like a validation for me, encouragement that I’m on the right path and to motivate me. I also look up to the stars and acknowledge the great Indigenous musicians and leaders that have gone before me and inspired me and who have made my journey easier and more beautiful with their music and the love that they shared with the world."

Added Deenzo Dion Forrester of Apakatjah: ​"It feels surreal to be a finalist for new talent of the year. To be alongside the other awesome finalists is amazing. So much deadly talent coming through the ranks... it’s gonna be a cracking night at this year's NIMAs."

This year's nominees have been announced while acknowledging the passing of 14-time NIMA winner and the 2016 NIMA Artist Of The Year, Dr G Yunupingu, with respect to his immeasurable contribution to asserting Indigenous music's place among mainstream Australian culture and his support of up-and-coming Indigenous musicians throughout his career.

This month also saw the release of a two-CD collection of contemporary and all-time great Indigenous music — NIMA Presents The Sound Of Indigenous Australia: Now & Before — in collaboration with Warner Music Australia, which is available for purchase through multiple outlets. Head this way for further details.

The 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards will be held at the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 12 August. Along with A.B. Original and Dan Sultan, also on the live bill for the night are Paul Kelly, Numbulwar Red Flag Dancers, Leah Flanagan, Apakatjah, Electric Fields, Emily Wurramara and 2016 NIMA New Talent winner Gawurra.

Tickets are available now.

2017 National Indigenous Music Awards — Nominees

Artist Of The Year

A.B. Original
Dan Sultan
Jessica Mauboy
Troy Cassar-Daley

Album Of The Year

A.B. Original — Reclaim Australia
Busby Marou — Postcards From The Shell House
Leah Flanagan — Saudades
Troy Cassar-Daley — Things I Carry Around

Song Of The Year

A.B. Original — January 26
Emily Wurramara — Hey Love
Leah Flanagan — Chills
Lonely Boys — Hunter
Troy Cassar-Daley — Things I Carry Around
Yirrmal — The Bridge

Film Clip Of The Year

A.B. Original — January 26
Dan Sultan — Magnetic
Lonely Boys — Hunter
Lorrpu — Lorrpu

New Talent Of The Year

Apakatjah
Electric Fields
Emily Wurramara
Tia Gostelow
Yirrmal

Community Music Clip

Halls Creek — Save The Water 'Ngaba'
Logan — Logan City
Ngukurr — Choose Water
Dust Up — With Knowledge Comes New Friends
NPY Lands — Warakurna (2016)

Traditional Music Award

Wangga — Complete CD Set
Numbulwar Red Flag Dancers