Amazon Music To Sponsor The National Indigenous Music Awards In Multi-Year Deal

Amazon Music will sponsor the MusicNT-produced National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) in a multi-year deal, starting with this year’s event.

On Saturday, 12 August, the NIMAs will celebrate First Nations talents, with nominations open from today. The event will take place in Darwin.

Laura Lukanz, Head of Music for Amazon Music UK, Australia & New Zealand said of the sponsorship, “We are proud to work alongside the teams at the National Indigenous Music Awards and MusicNT to continue to honour the nation’s most exceptional musicians. 

“First Nations music is at the heart of Australian culture, and at Amazon Music, we are honoured to be able to help these artists connect with their audiences through outlets like our Blak Loud playlist, alongside collaborations such as this one.” 

The NIMAs have grown into one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in Australia since its inception 19 years ago. Today, MusicNT announce the appointment of three new First Nations teams to produce this year’s award ceremony. 

The 2023 teams will include Ben Graetz as Creative Director (returning for his fourth year running), Libby Collins and Romana Paulson as Event Coordinators, and Playa Productions’ Letisha Ackland leading Stage Production.

Ben Graetz commented on the hard work going into this year’s event by First Nations-led teams: "Celebrating an incredible year of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, the NIMAs are back on Larrakia Country. This year we look to honour and pay respect to all those artists, musicians and cultural storytellers that have contributed to keeping community strong and our culture alive.”

Nominations for the 2023 NIMAs are now open and can be made here.

At the 2022 awards, Yolngu man Baker Boy was the big winner. He took home trophies for the coveted Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for his debut album, Gela.

Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung indie artist Jem Cassar-Daley won the New Talent of the Year award after the 2021 release of her debut EP, I Don’t Know Who To Call.

Meanwhile, Yolngu surf rockers King Stingray received the Song of the Year award for their single, Milkumana. Malyangapa and Barkindji woman Barkaa won the Film Clip of the Year for her banging tune, King Brown, and Indigenous Outreach Projects earned Community Clip of the Year.

The Archie Roach Foundation Award went to Dobby.