Baker Boy has won big at this year's National Indigenous Music Awards scooping up three awards including Artist Of The Year.
"Woah, my heart! This is crazy," an elated Baker Boy, a Yolngu man, expressed on the night from Bendigo.Baker Boy was also awarded Song Of The Year and Film Clip Of The Year for his hit 'Meditjin'.
"I honestly didn't think I could win at all tonight, but I just want to say to all the nominees tonight across all of the categories; you are incredible, you are amazing and I am so proud of you all, my brothers and sisters.
"To my family back in Darwin across Arnhem Land, I'm so proud to represent my people and so overwhelmed by the support and success I have achieved rapping in Yolgnu Matha and English."
Archie Roach won Album Of The Year for 'Tell Me Why', the New Talent award went to Miiesha, and KDA Crew scored Community Clip Of The Year. While Rrawun Maymuru and Nick Wales took out the Indigenous Language Award for 'Nyapillilngu (Spirit Lady)', and Kee'Ahn won the Archie Roach Foundation Award.
The awards, which were staged virtually on Saturday (8 August), featured touching musical tributes from Archie Roach and Emma Donovan as Ruby Hunter was inducted posthumously into the NIMA Hall Of Fame.
There was also an amazing tribute to the Warumpi Band classic 'My Island Home' with a must-watch performance from Neil Murray, Christine Anu, Mau Power, Jim Moginie, Rob Hirst and the Malu Gubaw Kazil (Sea Breeze Children) Choir.
The new generation of Indigenous talent were also well represented with spectacular live performances from Thelma Plum, Miiesha, Mambali and JK-47, while there were live crosses to Jessica Mauboy, Mitch Tambo and Electric Fields as well as remote communities in Yirrkala and Broome.
"I'm extremely proud that while 2020 might have presented its challenges, the National Indigenous Music Awards rose above the noise of this difficult time to present an amazing and uplifting night of First Nations artists," Creative Director and host Ben Graetz says.
"The broadcast has brought the community together in a celebration of resilience and talent. Never before has it been more important to recognise our past, present and future and to come together as one."
National Indigenous Music Awards Winners 2020
Artist Of The YearBaker Boy
Album Of The Year
Archie Roach - 'Tell Me Why'
Song Of The Year
Baker Boy feat. Jess B - 'Meditjin'
New Talent Of The Year
Miiesha
Film Clip Of The Year
Baker Boy feat. Jess B - 'Meditjin'
Community Clip Of The Year
KDA Crew
Indigenous Language Award
Rrawun Maymuru & Nick Wales - 'Nyapillilngu (Spirit Lady)'
Triple J Unearthed
JK-47
Hall Of Fame Inductee
Ruby Hunter
