National Indigenous Music Awards 2020 Nominations

Baker Boy and Miiesha have led the charge of nominees for the 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards, each scoring three nominations apiece.

Other finalists include Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, Thelma Plum, Mau Power, Briggs, Electric Fields, Dallas Woods and Kee'ahn, representing a huge geographic and genre range, and a true snapshot of Australia's First Nations talent.

With the awards ceremony having moved to a virtual event, host TV broadcaster NITV will join with radio and online partners to create a unique presentation live from Darwin, Larrakia Country, and locations across Australia on 8 August. This will ensure everyone from Cape York to Cockle Creek to Carnarvon and everywhere in between can join in.

"The NIMAs star has shone brightly for 17 years and far from dimming that light, COVID has emboldened us to re-imagine what the event can be," Creative Director Ben Graetz says.

"At its heart, the NIMAs is about celebrating our culture and music's important place within it and we think that being forced to let go of the constraints of location will enable us to reach even more people and create an even bigger welcome mat for Australians to experience and celebrate First Nations music."


For the first time, the NIMAs will welcome a 100 per cent First Nations camera crew for the production as well as a majority First Nations production crew as it moves towards a path of First Nations self-determination.

2020 National Indigenous Music Awards takes place 8 August and will be broadcast nationally on NITV.

2020 National Indigenous Music Awards Finalists

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 feat. Jess B - 'Meditjin'
Briggs feat. 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 feat. Jess B - 'Meditjin'
Briggs feat. 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