Today the nominations for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards were announced, with Miiesha and Baker Boy leading the way with three nominations apiece.
The awards, with their sizeable geographic and genre range, honour the best of First Nations musical talent. The twenty-four finalists are spread across seven categories and represent a diverse and rich breadth of talent with grassroots and newcomers honoured right alongside chart-toppers and ARIA nominees. Joining Miiehsa and Baker Boy as finalists are Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, Thelma Plum, Briggs, Electric Fields, Kee’ahn and more.
The awards, which are produced in partnership with NITV, will be broadcast on August 8th at 7pm (AEST) across free-to-air television (NITV), radio (Double J and National Indigenous Radio Service broadcasters), and across social media. The awards ceremony will be hosted by Elaine Crombie and Steven Oliver.
Due to the ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic, whilst the event will be taking place live from Larrakia Country (Darwin), there will be a strong virtual presence as well, with artists joining in from around the country, both to perform live and to accept their awards. The line-up of performers, guests and Hall of Fame inductees are still to be announced, so stay tuned.
Here are the finalists for this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards:
Artist of the Year
Baker Boy
Electric Fields
Emily Wurramara
Jessica Mauboy
Mau Power
Thelma Plum
Album of the Year
Archie Roach – Tell Me Why
Jessica Mauboy – Hilda
Mau Power – Blue Lotus The Awakening
Miiesha – Nyaaringu
Ray Dimakarri Dixon – Standing Strong Mudburra Man
New Talent of the Year
Allara
Dallas Woods
Kee’ahn
Miiesha
Mitch Tambo
Indigenous Language Award
Rrawun Maymuru & Nick Wales – Nyapililngu (Spirit Lady)
Stuart Nugget – Nayurni (Woman)
Song of the Year
Alice Skye – “I Feel Better But I Don’t Feel Good”
Baker Boy ft. Jess B – “Meditjin”
Briggs ft. Tim Minchin – “House Fyre”
Electric Fields & Keiino – “Would I Lie”
Kee’ahn – “Better Things”
Thelma Plum – “Homecoming Queen”
Film Clip of the Year
Baker Boy ft. Jess B – “Meditjin”
Briggs ft. Tim Minchin – “House Fyre”
Dallas Woods – “If It Glitters It’s Gold”
Miiesha – “Drowning”
Tasman Keith – “Billy Bad Again”
Community Clip of the Year
Booningbah Goories
Bwgcolman Mob
Githabul Next Generation
Iron Range Danger Gang
KDA Crew
Ntaria Connect
The National Indigenous Music Awards airs at 7pm AEST on 8th August 2020 across NITV, Double J, National Indigenous Radio Service, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Until then you can stream the 2020 NIMAs playlist featuring all the finalists on Spotify.
Header Image: Baker Boy at 2019 NIMAs taken by David Hancock.
