Budjerah and Wildfire Manwurrk lead the nominations – with three apiece – for the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA).
To be staged on Larrakia Country at Darwin Amphitheatre 12 August as part of Darwin Festival, the NIMAs will be hosted by artist, cultural leader, and Butchulla songman Fred Leone alongside returning NIMA host, Yunkuntjatjarra, Warrigmay, South Sea and German-descended actress, singer and writer Elaine Crombie.The awards ceremony – which will be broadcast on NITV and available via SBS On Demand on 13 August at 7.30pm – will also feature exclusive performances from Thelma Plum (nominated for two NIMAs this year), Barkaa, Budjerah (who recently supported Ed Sheeran on his national tour) and many more.
Budjerah is nominated for Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Film Clip Of The Year, while Arnhem Land group Wildfire Manwurrk have received nominations for New Talent Of The Year, Film Clip Of The Year and Community Clip Of The Year.
"We have walked a long, hard road to get here over many years and feel so happy to be recognised for our music at this national level," Wildfire Manwurrk says.
"To be recognised as one of Australia's important Indigenous voices means everything to us.
"Our music tells our story in our language, one of the oldest languages in this world. That language, it will help you connect to where you are standing. It will help us come together, where we learn from each other."
Joining Thelma Plum with two nominations are Mo'Ju, Bumpy, King Stingray, Yirrmal and Miiesha. Notable acts to also receive a single nom are Jessica Mauboy, The Kid Laroi, A.B. Original and Beddy Rays.
"Wow, wow I'm up for two NIMAS awards!" shares Bumpy. "From winning the triple j Unearthed comp last year to now being nominated is a trip. She overwhelmed, grateful and feeling VERY BLESSED! Thank you thank you! Congratulations to all of the deadly mob."
NIMA co-host Fred Leone will also give the audience with a worldwide premiere of his latest single 'Yirimi Gundir'. While finalist for Artist Of The Year, Jessica Mauboy will also present an award on the evening.
"Music has always been an important part of our people's cultures," Head of Entertainment, Events and Sport, NITV and proud Gooreng Gooreng man, Adam Manovic, says, "and we're thrilled to host the NIMAs on NITV again for another, broadcasting black excellence to screens across Australia.
"We look forward to celebrating the incredible talents of our First Nations music community once again."
Tickets to the ceremony on 12 August are available.
You can wtch the NIMAs on NITV and SBS On Demand 13 August (7.30pm). The NIMAs will also broadcast on SBS Viceland 18 August (11.05pm) and SBS 19 August (9am).
2023 National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations
Artist Of The Year
BudjerahJessica Mauboy
Mo'Ju
Kobie Dee
The Kid Laroi
New Talent Of The Year
BumpyRoyston Noell
Wildfire Manwurrk
Marlon X Rulla
Tjaka
Film Clip Of The Year
Wildfire Manwurrk - 'Lonely Bangardi'Budjerah - 'Therapy'
A.B. Original - 'King Billy Cokebottle'
Thelma Plum - 'The Brown Snake'
King Stingray - 'Let's Go'
Song Of The Year
Bumpy - 'Hide And Seek'Budjerah - 'Therapy'
Miiesha - 'Skin Deep'
King Stingray - 'Let's Go'
Yirrmal feat. Dami Im - 'Promised Land'
Album Of The Year
Thelma Plum - 'Meanjin' (EP)Ngulmiya - 'Ngulmiya'
Mo'Ju - 'Oro Plata Mata'
Miiesha - 'Smoke & Mirrors'
Beddy Rays - 'Beddy Rays'
Community Clip Of The Year
Wildfire Manwurrk - 'Mararradj'Utju Community - 'Tjamuku Tjukurpa Kanyila'
Lil Youngins - 'The Problem'
Indigenous Outreach Project w/ Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy, NT feat. Yirrmal - 'Indigenous Outreach Projects, Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy feat. Yirrmal'
Garrthalala Community - 'Garrthalala Manikay'
Dunghutti Community in Kempsey NSW - 'The Black Truth – There's Still Hope'
