Nominations open for National Indigenous Music Awards

Nominations opened this morning for the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs).

It signals the 16th year of providing a platform for First Nation talent, raising Indigenous music to new heights.

The awards return to Darwin’s Amphitheatre on August 10.

The public and industry are encouraged to nominate any Indigenous album or single released after June 1, 2018, for inclusion by visiting www.indigenousmusic.com.au

Observers will carefully watch how the nominations reflect the launch of the National Indigenous Music Chart last year.

They opened up to mainstream media emerging names as aiit, Tasman Keith, Dallas Woods and Drmngnow.

“Whether it is acknowledging greats of the past or discovering the talent of the future, the NIMAs continue to hold an important place in the Australian music calendar for both recognition and discovery of First Nations talent,” said National Indigenous Music Awards reference group chair Warren H. Williams.

“The event continues to evolve and cement its relevance across the year to show Australia the wide range of amazing music that Indigenous people contribute to Australia’s musical canon.”

It has been a huge 12 months for Indigenous musicians.

They included Mojo Juju and Dan Sultan nominated for three and two ARIA nominations apiece, Electric Fields becoming runners up to be Australia’s Eurovision entrant, Baker Boy cracking commercial radio with ‘Cool as Hell’ and Gurrumul winning the Australian Music Prize and four ARIAs for ‘Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow).

Judging of the National Indigenous Music Awards is split this year, with 50% of votes coming from a panel of prominent Indigenous Australians and community leaders and 50% from a panel of Indigenous and non-Indigenous media and music industry representatives.