The performers and finalists for the National Indigenous Music Awards have been announced

The National Indigenous Music Awards have announced their 2018 finalists and performers. The NIMAs are celebrating their 15th birthday this year and have a lot to be excited about.

Performers at the ceremony are set to include Busby Marou, Baker Boy, Kasey Chambers with Alan Pigram. Baker Boy and Busby Marou are also finalists, up for 2 of the same NIMAs. Baker Boy is also nominated for best new talent. Other nominees include Dan Sultan, Gurrumul, Jessica Mauboy, and Alice Skye.

“The growth in the National Indigenous Music Awards has mirrored the growth of Indigenous music
more generally over the last fifteen years,” says NIMA Reference Group Chair Warren H. Williams. The awards will celebrate everything NIMA has accomplished in these years.

The NIMAs have become a platform for Indigenous music, and is responsible for growth in funding and recognition of Indigenous music and musicians. “The awards have been there not just to celebrate their successes, but to be a launching pad for new talent and discovery vehicle for musicians, whether they are from Darwin, Devonport, Derby, Dubbo or the Daintree.”

This year is also worth celebration considering the accomplishments of Indigenous musicians this past year. In the past year, Indigenous artists have released number one albums, placed throughout the Hottest 100, and represented Australia at Eurovision.

The awards take place August 11 at the Darwin Ampitheatre. A full list of performers and finalists can be found below.

The National Indigenous Music Awards finalists and performers:

PERFORMING AT THE 2018 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS:

Baker Boy
Busby Marou
Kasey Chambers with Alan Pigram
Roger Knox
Kardajala Kirridarra
Yirrmal
Kenbi Dancers
Central Australian Women’s Choir
Stiff Gins
Triple J Unearthed Winner

Album of the Year:

Dan Sultan – Killer
Emily Wurramara – Milyakburra
Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)
Kardajala Kirridarra – Kardajala Kirridarra
Kuren – Melting Conceptually

Song of the Year:

Baker Boy – Marryuna
Busby Marou – Days of Gold
Dan Sultan – Kingdom
Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)
Kardajala Kirridarra – Ngurra

Artist of the Year:

A.B. Original
Archie Roach
Electric Fields
Gurrumul
Jessica Mauboy

Best New Talent (Presented by Spotify):

Alice Skye
Baker Boy
Emily Wurramara
Isaiah
Ziggy Ramo

Film Clip of the Year:

Alice Skye – Friends With Feelings
Baker Boy – Marryuna
Birdz – This Side
Black Rock Band – Bininj Kuborrk
Jessica Mauboy – We Got Love

Community Clip of the Year:

Ali Curung NT – Bounce With Me
B-Town Warriors – Thundercloud: Bourke
Condobolin, NSW: The Condo Crew – ‘How Ya Feelin’
Githabul Next Generation – ‘Looking Out For Country’
Mulli Mulli
Yiyili Mawoolie – ‘Yiyili Kids’

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.