National Indigenous Music Awards Reveal Nominees And Performers For 2021 Ceremony

The annual National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) have unveiled their 2021 nominee list - with the winners set to be announced in a special ceremony next Sunday.

The yearly event - which celebrates the best in First Nations artists, music and performers - have joined forces with triple j and their indigenous programming staple Blak Out, with a broadcast from the station complete with live performances and special guest presenters.

Blak Out presenter Nooky and fellow triple j alum Karla Ranby will oversee proceedings for the night, with performances from Electric Fields, Tilly Tjala Thomas, Yirrmal and more.

Among the artists nominated include names such as The Kid LAROI, Baker Boy, Sycco, Miiesha, Jessica Mauboy and many others.

“I said I’d be back for special occasions, and it doesn’t get any more special than this!" Ranby said of her return to the station. "It’s been a huge year in Blak music and I’m all g’d up to celebrate on Sunday with my brother, Nooky.”

NIMAs creative director Benjamin Greatz also shared his excitement for the event, saying, "I cannot wait to tune in Sunday, to listen to the very best Australian First Nations music and to celebrate 60,000 years of history and culture!”

The 2021 NIMAs ceremony kicks off from 5.00pm next Sunday, 14 November. Check out the full list of nominees below and tune in to triple j to find out who will take home the top honours.

Artist of the Year 
Sycco
Birdz
Miiesha
Baker Boy
The Kid LAROI
Jessica Mauboy

Album of the Year 
Tia Gostelow - Chrysalis
The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love
Leah Flanagan - Colour by Number
JK-47 - Made For This
Benny Walker - Chosen Line

Song of the Year 
Baker Boy, Dallas Woods, Sampa The Great - Better Days
Birdz - Bagi-la-m Bargan
Miiesha - Damaged
The Kid LAROI - Without You
Sycco - Dribble

New Talent of the Year 
J-MILLA
Beddy Rays
King Stingray
Budjerah
Chasing Ghosts 

Film Clip of the Year 
Budjerah - Higher
Baker Boy - Ride ft. Yirrmal
Troy Cassar-Daley - Back On Country
Sycco - My Ways
Tia Gostelow - Two Lovers

Community Clip of the Year
Kakadu Collective and Victor Rostron - Mayali
Dunghutti community in South West Rocks - Fig Tree Mob - 'Barrunba (Dreaming)'
Gunbalanya School - Stories of the Land 
Gunbalanya School - Talk About Emotions
Students of Peppimenarti School - Stand Strong

Indigenous Language Award of the Year
Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi - The Djari Project
Shellie Morris and Jason Durrurrnga  - Dharuk Gurtha
Garrangali Band - Tongues of the Fire
Stuart Joel Nuggett - I Am That Man/Ngaaya-Baaya
Stuart Joel Nuggett - Monsoon/Kuyubulu