NIMAs reveal finalists and performers for 15th anniversary Awards

The 15th anniversary of the National Indigenous Music Awards have announced this year’s finalist list.

Baker Boy and Gurrumul lead the pack with three nominations each, closely followed Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, Alice Skye, Kardajala Kirridarra and Emily Wurramara all with two nominations.

Also up for a gong are Birdz, Kuren, Archie Roach, Electric Fields, A.B. Original, Isaiah, Black Rock Band, Ziggy Ramo and Busby Marou.

Celebrating the achievements of Australia’s Indigenous musicians, the Awards will take off on Saturday, August 11 at the iconic Darwin Amphitheatre, with explosive performances from Queensland folksters Busby Marou, Kasey Chambers accompanied by Alan Pigram and many more.

The Awards will also host the triple j Unearthed Indigenous winner for 2018.

A highlight on the Australian music industry calendar since its inception in 2004 (as the NT Indigenous Music Awards), the NIMAs celebrate the massive achievements of Indigenous musicians, which this year included multiple #1 albums, nation tours, TV and Eurovision appearances, spots on the Hottest 100 and countless festival appearances around the country.

“The growth in the National Indigenous Music Awards has mirrored the growth of Indigenous music more generally over the last fifteen years,” said NIMA reference group chair Warren H. Williams.

“As our musicians have continued their journey of taking their rightful place at the forefront of Australian music, 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.”

Performers:
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

Full list of 2018’s finalists:

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