ARTIST OF THE YEAR | BEST NEW TALENT | FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR
ALBUM OF THE YEAR | SONG OF THE YEAR | COMMUNITY CLIP OF THE YEAR
+ SOUTH SUMMIT JOINS THE LIVE PERFORMANCE LINEUP
| Today, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) announce the nominees for this year’s awards, rounding out NAIDOC Week’s 50 Years of Deadly milestone, along with news that Boorloo-based reggae band South Summit will join the live performance lineup, as the iconic celebration returns to Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 8 August.With six major categories spotlighting the richness of Blak sound and storytelling, the 2026 edition lands at a powerful, evolving moment for First Nations artistry with hard-hitting cousin duo of Birdz & Fred Leone leading the tally with four nominations: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for GIRA, plus both Film Clip of the Year and Song of the Year, for “Wanya Nyin Yanmanj”.Six other powerhouse Blak artists are in the running forArtist of the Year, among them South Summit, riding high off their sophomore album Run It Back, which scored a glowing 4 star review from theSydney Morning Herald. The band also lands a nomination for Film Clip of the Year for their track “Top of the Hill” and will perform at this year’s ceremony. Joining them is the fierce Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali sovereign woman Miss Kaninna, whose sold-out momentum keeps building, with extra dates added to her latest tour for her upcoming Mixtape BLACKPRINT. Among the nominees is Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung woman Jem Cassar-Daley, marking a full-circle moment from taking home New Talent of the Year back in 2021. Rounding out the category are chart-topping artist Baker Boy, soul-stirring singer Bumpy and the unstoppable force of 3%. |
| Best New Talent features six boundary-pushing nominees poised to shape the future of First Nations music. Hailing from northeast Arnhem Land, Drifting Clouds blend ancient, millennia-old songlines with dreamy ‘80s synth-pop, rock and country. Placed alongside them is the soulful Zipporah, who is carving out her own unique space and continuing a lineage of Blak greatness that traces back to Christine Anu, alongside the electrifying Magandjin/Brisbane rapper Say True God? and the infectious emerging singer-songwriter Jet Cameron. Also on the nominee list is Noongar Wongi rapper Inkabee, who recently became the youngest artist to appear on triple j’s Like A Version with a special cover of the Black Eyed Peas hit “Where Is the Love?”. Lastly, there’s the powerhouse group of legends Voices of Resistance, comprised of Dallas Woods, Nooky, Fred Leone, RIAH and Soju Gang.The Community Clip of the Year category shines a light on the power of music as a tool for pride and collective voice. The 2026 nominees include Bulman School and Community for “Lok Lok Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna)”; Mossman George with “Yundu Bama Yalada”; Northern Peninsula Area for“All the Way from the NPA”; Mossman Mob’s“Still Believing”; Geraldton entry “Barndi Yarraly – Geraldton TIS: Vaping Is Vicious, Not Delicious”; K2 the B and CJR bring“Barunga”; and Wujal Wujal closes the list with“Rainforest to the Sea”.Each of these clips embodies the creative strength of community-led storytelling. “2026 National Indigenous Music Awards nominees represent an extraordinary diverse showcase of the incredible talent shaping First Nations music today. This year’s list is one of our strongest yet, celebrating artists who are pushing creative boundaries, sharing powerful stories and continuing to inspire audiences across this country. Congratulations to every finalist, looking forward to honouring your achievements together on Larrakia Country in August.” – Catherine Satour (Music NT) |
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| In 2026, the National Indigenous Music Awards will once again bring together deadly live performances, prestigious awards and powerful cultural celebration against the stunning backdrop of Garramilla/Darwin, with South Summit joining Baker Boy, BIG NOTER, Bumpy, Casii Williams, Electric Fields, Stiff Gins and Zipporah on the lineup. Recent NIMAs alumni include Hall of Fame inductee Jessica Mauboy, trailblazing rapper BARKAA and acclaimed group 3%, reflecting the rich legacy of First Nations artists that the awards continue to champion. The NIMAs take place during a week-long celebration of First Nations excellence, alongside the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). Running from 5–11 August, the week offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience some of the country’s most significant Indigenous arts, culture and music events in the heart of the Top End. Grab your tickets to this year’s ceremony here. |
| NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS – 2026 Saturday 8 August 2026 – Darwin Amphitheatre, Garramilla/Darwin, NT ARTIST OF THE YEAR 3% Baker Boy Birdz & Fred Leone BUMPY Jem Cassar-Daley Miss Kaninna South Summit BEST NEW TALENT Drifting Clouds INKABEE Jet Cameron Say True God Voices of Resistance Zipporah ALBUM OF THE YEAR Baker Boy – DJANDJAY Birdz & Fred Leone – GIRA Say True God? – BLAK Emma Donovan – Take Me to The River Stiff Gins – Crossroads Trials – hendle FILM CLIP OF THE YEAR 3% – Our Greats Baker Boy – THICK SKIN feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel Birdz & Fred Leone – Wanya Nyin Yanmanj Drifting Clouds – Bawuypawuy Kobie Dee – Aim For The Stars South Summit – Top of the Hill COMMUNITY CLIP OF THE YEAR Bulman School & Community – “LOK LOK MAH BURARR (Lizard & Goanna)” Mossman Gorge – “Yundu Bama Yalada” Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) – “All The Way From The NPA” Mossman Mob – “Gurindji Dream Big (Kuni-jungkarni)” Geraldton – Barndi Yarraly – Geraldton TIS “Vaping is Vicious – Not Delicious” Wujal Wujal – “Rainforest to the Sea” SONG OF THE YEAR Baker Boy – THICK SKIN feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel Birdz & Fred Leone – Wanya Nyin Yanmanj Drifting Clouds – Bawuypawuy Jem Cassar-Daley – Front Left Pocket Yung Maynie – Always Was ZIPPORAH – Some Typa Way 2026 LIVE PERFORMANCE LINEUP Baker Boy BIG NOTER Bumpy Casii Williams Electric Fields South Summit (Just Added) Stiff Gins Zipporah + more to be announced |