Finalists for the 2021 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) have been revealed, with The Kid LAROI, Sycco, and Baker Boy each nominated in three categories.
Showcasing the talents and creative output of First Nations music stars, the 2021 award ceremony will return to its traditional home, the Darwin Amphitheatre, for a gala music gathering (7 August).After being staged virtually last year, attracting a record-breaking audience on NITV and online platforms (250k-plus viewers), the 2021 event will allow community to gather under the stars on Larrakia land to celebrate the success of First Nations artists as well as discovering new talent.
The burgeoning talent of Indigenous artists is showcased across a spectrum of genres; from hip hop, pop and country, to folk, rock and indie songwriters.
"This year, as we focus on healing and reflection, we have the wonderful opportunity to reconnect as a community to discover and celebrate the magic of music from both up-and-coming and established First Nation artists," NIMAs Creative Director Ben Graetz says.
"The finalists are some of the most talented musicians across the country and the world, and we are proud to be able to provide a platform for their musical craft to be recognised."
The Kid LAROI has collaborated with Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, while Baker Boy was recently the face of NRL's Indigenous Round and Fox Footy's Sir Doug Nicholls Round; and Sycco scored the 2021 Song of the Year and Pop awards at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.
Artists to receive two nominations are Birdz, Miiesha, Tia Gostelow, Gunbalanya School, and Stuart Joel Nuggett. While first-time NIMA nominees include Budjerah (two nominations), J-MILLA, King Stingray, Beddy Rays and Chasing Ghosts, as well as last year's triple j Unearthed NIMAs winner, JK-47.
The awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Steven Oliver (Faboriginal, A Chance Affair, Black Comedy) and feature performances from Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Dallas Woods, Kee'ahn, and Alice Skye.
The event will be broadcast via NITV and online platforms (NITV, Double J, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter), allowing music fans near and far to gather and celebrate the skyrocketing success of these First Nations artists.
2021 National Indigenous Music Awards will be staged at Darwin Amphitheatre 7 August.
2021 National Indigenous Music Awards Finalists
Artist of the Year
SyccoBirdz
Miiesha
Baker Boy
The Kid LAROI
Jessica Mauboy
Album of the Year
Tia Gostelow - 'Chrysalis'The Kid LAROI - 'F... Love'
Leah Flanagan - 'Colour By Number'
JK-47 - 'Made For This'
Benny Walker - 'Chosen Line'
Song of the Year
Baker Boy, Dallas Woods, Sampa The Great - 'Better Days'Birdz - 'Bagi-la-m Bargan'
Miiesha - 'Damaged'
The Kid LAROI - 'Without You'
Sycco - 'Dribble'
New Talent of the Year
J-MILLABeddy Rays
King Stingray
Budjerah
Chasing Ghosts
Film Clip of the Year
Budjerah - 'Higher'Baker Boy - 'Ride' feat. Yirrmal
Troy Cassar-Daley - 'Back On Country'
Sycco - 'My Ways'
Tia Gostelow - 'Two Lovers'
Community Clip of the Year
Kakadu Collective and Victor Rostron - 'Mayali'Dunghutti community in South West Rocks - 'Fig Tree'
Mob - 'Barrunba (Dreaming)'
Gunbalanya School - 'Stories Of The Land'
Gunbalanya School - 'Talk About Emotions'
Students of Peppimenarti School - 'Stand Strong'
Indigenous Language Award of the Year
Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahii - 'The Djari Project'Shellie Morris and Jason Durrurrnga - 'Dharuk Gurtha'
Garrangali Band - 'Tongues of the Fire'
Stuart Joel Nuggett - 'I Am That Man/Ngaaya-Baaya'
Stuart Joel Nuggett - 'Monsoon/Kuyubulu'
