Last night, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) lit up Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country once again – a ceremony under the starLast night, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) lit up Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country once again – a ceremony under the stars celebrating the talent, diversity and brilliance of First Nations music, across seven award categories and a run of unforgettable live performances showcasing the richness of Blak sound and storytelling.
Baker Boy landed three major awards on the night – including the illustrious Album of the Year for his groundbreaking album DJANDJAY in addition to Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year, both for “THICK SKIN” featuring a list of stellar Blak talent collaborators: Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel.
Blak power was in full force with live sets reflecting the ever-growing strength of First Nations artistry beneath the trees and stories strung through the branches. Kicking off the show was triple j Unearthed winner Kyla Belle with “Let me Burn”, followed by the soulful Casii Williams with her special track “Spirit”. One of the night’s biggest moments came as Marlene Cummins was inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Bumpy delivered a standout performance of her track “Kanana”, before Zipporah took to the stage with “White Flag”, the neo-soul cut from her just-released EP Naungu urui.
Stylish cousin duo of Birdz & Fred Leone took out the prestigious Artist of the Year – their first ever NIMAs win – following the release of their breakout EP GIRA late last year. The meteoric rise of Drifting Clouds continued with New Talent of the Year, all on the back of only having two singles under his belt, while the Community Clip of the Year went to Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) –“All The Way From The NPA”. Also joining the winners list was Bulman School & Community, who were awarded the Indigenous Language Award for “LOK LOK MAH BURARR” (Lizard & Goanna).
The back half of the ceremony brought a show-stopping set from First Nations music royalty, with Stiff Gins’ gem “Fade Away”. Next came the night’s second Hall of Fame induction, with NIMAs Hall of Fame alumni Jessica Mauboy presenting the recognition to Saltwater Band. From there, the energy shifted with Boorloo reggae-rock outfit South Summit, who tore through “ON THE DASH” and “TOP OF THE HILL” from their recent sophomore album, RUN IT BACK.Enigmatic duo Electric Fields graced the amphitheatre with “Anpuru Maau Kutjpa” and “Dali”, while the door came off its hinges as BIG NOTER – Briggs’ infamous new side project – stormed the stage hammering through “’IDENTITY”, a special moment when he celebrated the late Gurrumul, 10 years to the day since they won Song of the Year for “The Children Came Back”. The penultimate performance of the night saw Baker Boy showwhy he swept the board with “THICK SKIN”, the track behind two of the night’s wins. To everyone’s surprise, he brought out soul powerhouse Emma Donovan to help bring the song home. Just when you thought the night couldn’t get any more special, it closed with a surprise from Saltwater Band themselves, capping off their historic induction, playing “Bolu” and “Sailing Boat”. It was a poignant moment for everyone in attendance, honouring both the members present and those no longer here to see it.
“Last night’s celebration brought together some of the most incredible music and musicians this country produces, showcasing the rich connection of family and culture. From the Red Flag Dancers opening to closing the night honouring our newest Hall of Fame inductees, Saltwater Band, the NIMAs are proud to continue as a platform supporting and spotlighting this country’s most exciting music scene” – Mark Smith MusicNT
In 2026, the National Indigenous Music Awards once again brought together deadly live performances, prestigious awards and powerful cultural celebration against the stunning backdrop of Garramilla/Darwin. The ceremony stood as a lasting reminder of its significance for generations to come, artists from across the country joining those who came before them in honouring the very best in First Nations music.s celebrating the talent, diversity and brilliance of First Nations music, across seven award categories and a run of unforgettable live performances showcasing the richness of Blak sound and storytelling.
Baker Boy landed three major awards on the night – including the illustrious Album of the Year for his groundbreaking album DJANDJAY in addition to Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year, both for “THICK SKIN” featuring a list of stellar Blak talent collaborators: Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel.
Blak power was in full force with live sets reflecting the ever-growing strength of First Nations artistry beneath the trees and stories strung through the branches. Kicking off the show was triple j Unearthed winner Kyla Belle with “Let me Burn”, followed by the soulful Casii Williams with her special track “Spirit”. One of the night’s biggest moments came as Marlene Cummins was inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Bumpy delivered a standout performance of her track “Kanana”, before Zipporah took to the stage with “White Flag”, the neo-soul cut from her just-released EP Naungu urui.
Stylish cousin duo of Birdz & Fred Leone took out the prestigious Artist of the Year – their first ever NIMAs win – following the release of their breakout EP GIRA late last year. The meteoric rise of Drifting Clouds continued with New Talent of the Year, all on the back of only having two singles under his belt, while the Community Clip of the Year went to Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) – “All The Way From The NPA”. Also joining the winners list was Bulman School & Community, who were awarded the Indigenous Language Award for “LOK LOK MAH BURARR” (Lizard & Goanna).
The back half of the ceremony brought a show-stopping set from First Nations music royalty, with Stiff Gins’ gem “Fade Away”. Next came the night’s second Hall of Fame induction, with NIMAs Hall of Fame alumni Jessica Mauboy presenting the recognition to Saltwater Band. From there, the energy shifted with Boorloo reggae-rock outfit South Summit, who tore through “ON THE DASH” and “TOP OF THE HILL” from their recent sophomore album, RUN IT BACK. Enigmatic duo Electric Fields graced the amphitheatre with “Anpuru Maau Kutjpa” and “Dali”, while the door came off its hinges as BIG NOTER – Briggs’ infamous new side project – stormed the stage hammering through “’IDENTITY”, a special moment when he celebrated the late Gurrumul, 10 years to the day since they won Song of the Year for “The Children Came Back”. The penultimate performance of the night saw Baker Boy show why he swept the board with “THICK SKIN”, the track behind two of the night’s wins. To everyone’s surprise, he brought out soul powerhouse Emma Donovan to help bring the song home. Just when you thought the night couldn’t get any more special, it closed with a surprise from Saltwater Band themselves, capping off their historic induction, playing “Bolu” and “Sailing Boat”. It was a poignant moment for everyone in attendance, honouring both the members present and those no longer here to see it.
“Last night’s celebration brought together some of the most incredible music and musicians this country produces, showcasing the rich connection of family and culture. From the Red Flag Dancers opening to closing the night honouring our newest Hall of Fame inductees, Saltwater Band, the NIMAs are proud to continue as a platform supporting and spotlighting this country’s most exciting music scene” – Mark Smith MusicNT
In 2026, the National Indigenous Music Awards once again brought together deadly live performances, prestigious awards and powerful cultural celebration against the stunning backdrop of Garramilla/Darwin. The ceremony stood as a lasting reminder of its significance for generations to come, artists from across the country joining those who came before them in honouring the very best in First Nations music.
THE 2026 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS
FULL LIST OF WINNERS:
Artist of the Year
3%
Baker Boy
Birdz and Fred Leone – WINNER
BUMPY
Jem Cassar-Daley
Miss Kaninna
South Summit
Best New Talent
Drifting Clouds – WINNER
Inkabee
Jet Cameron
Say True God?
Voices of Resistance
Zipporah
Album of the Year
Baker Boy – DJANDJAY– WINNER
Birdz & Fred Leone – GIRA
Emma Donovan – Take Me to The River
Say True God? – BLAK
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 – WINNER
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)
Geraldton TIS – “Barndi Yarraly” (Vaping is Vicious, Not Delicious)
K2 the B and CJR – “Barunga”
Mossman Gorge – “Yundu Bama Yalada”
Mossman Mob – “Still Believing”
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) – “All The Way From The NPA”– WINNER
Wujal Wujal – “Rainforest to the Sea”
Song of the Year
Baker Boy – “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel – WINNER
Birdz & Fred Leone – “Wanya Nyin Yanmanj”
Drifting Clouds – “Bawuypawuy”
Jem Cassar-Daley – “Front Left Pocket”
Yung Maynie – “Always Was”
Zipporah – “Some Typa Way”
INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE AWARD
Bulman School & Community – “LOK LOK MAH BURARR” (Lizard & Goanna) – WINNER
HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
Marlene Cummins
Saltwater Band
Photo Credit: Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis