Stars of Australian First Nations music shone bright at Darwin Amphitheatre (Saturday 10 August) for the National Indigenous Music Awards, with Baker Boy and Mojo Juju walking away as the night's big winners.
Following the success as Young Australian Of The year with hit singles 'Mr La Di Da Di', 'Cool As Hell' and 'In Control', Baker Boy took home the NIMA for Artist Of The Year as well as delivering a surprise performance of his single 'Black Magic'.
Meanwhile Mojo Juju picked up both Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year awards for her defiant epic 'Native Tongue' and its title track, which echoes the yearning for connection to traditional culture.
Other winners include Kaiit, who earned the title of New Talent Of The Year for her debut EP 'Live From Her Room' and latest single 'Miss Shiney, with Briggs scoring Film Clip Of The Year for 'Life Is Incredible' and Deni Mob took home Community Clip Of The Year for 'State Of The Heart'.
The NIMAs also honoured folk trio Tiddas and pioneering Cairns jazz treasure Wilma reading by inducting them into the NIMA Hall Of Fame.
The night also featured performances from Uncle Archie Roach, Darwin royalty Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, Eurovision alumni Electric Fields, Tasman Keith, Indigenous choir collective Spinifex Gum, Yorta Yorta soprano Deborah Cheetham, Larrakia nation’s Darwin Larrakia/Belyuen Dancers, violinist Eric Avery, a rousing show from Hall Of Fame inductee Wilma Reading and triple j Unearthed winner Dallas Woods.
In a first for the NIMAs, Archie Roach launched the Archie Roach Foundation's Award that recognises a NT artist in the early stages of their career and provides $2000 to their professional development.
The first-ever recipient of the award was New Talent Of The Year finalist Mambali who have made an echoing boom this last year with shows at WOMAdelaide, Nannup Festival and Barunga Festival as well as pushing boundaries with their latest single and acclaimed video Yuwani featuring Emily Wurramara.
2019 has been one of the strongest years for Indigenous music with ARIA charting albums, commercial radio breakthroughs, national tours, Hottest 100 placements and acts playing festivals across the country.
Scenestr would like to congratulate all the winners of this year's National Indigenous Music Awards.
2019 National Indigenous Music Awards Winners
Artist Of The YearBaker Boy
Album Of The Year
Mojo Juju - 'Native Tongue'
Song Of The Year
Mojo Juju - 'Native Tongue'
New Talent Of The Year
Kaiit
Film Clip Of The Year
Briggs - 'Life Is Incredible'
Community Clip Of The Year
Deni Mob - 'State Of The Heart'
Hall of Fame Inductees
Tiddas
Wilma Reading
Archie Roach Foundation Award
Mambali
Special Recognition Award
Djuki Mala
