The Kid LAROI was named Artist Of The Year while JK-47 was awarded Album Of The Year at last night's 2021 National Indigenous Music Awards.
Broadcast via triple j's First Nations show 'Blak Out' (as well as Double J and triple j Unearthed), the Awards were hosted by proud Yuin man and future Mayor of Nowra Nooky and triple j presenter royalty and proud Gomeroi woman, Karla Ranby.Kamilaroi artist The Kid LAROI's past few months have been hectic, with an avalanche of international acclaim thanks to his collab with Justin Bieber on 'Stay' that recently logged 10 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Pop Airplay chart in the US.
Tweed Heads local and Bundjalung rapper, JK-47 won Album Of The Year for his bold debut record 'Made For This' featuring the tracks 'Guess Again', 'On One' and 'R.I.P'.
The recipient of New Talent Of The Year award at the 2020 NIMAs (as well as winning the 2020 ARIA Award for Best Soul/R&B Release), Aṉangu/Torres Strait Islander artist Miiesha's raw and emotive song 'Damaged' (written with Stephen Collins) took home Song Of The Year.
The Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land, Baker Boy scored Film Clip Of The Year for 'Ride feat. Yirrmal', while Coodjinburra musician Budjerah won New Talent Of The Year.
Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi won Indigenous Language Award Of The Year for The Djari Project, while Community Clip Of The Year went to Kakadu Collective and Victor Rostron for 'Mayali'.
The 2021 NIMAs also celebrated the life and vastly important work of Indigenous musician Kev Carmody, inducting him into the Hall of Fame. "I'm absolutely so proud, humbled and honoured to accept the award on behalf of all of us," Kev says.
"Past, present and of course future, because it's a collective way of thinking in my opinion, that we all go together and no one gets left behind.
"I'm so proud of our young mob with the music, and with dance – that's an interpretation too – and art. That's our way of passing on our oral tradition and I think it's fantastic.
"I can sit back now. I've played my four chords and that's it."
2022 will see the NIMAs return to their home at the Darwin Amphitheatre. "What an incredible night celebrating our very best First Nations artist and musicians," NIMAs Creative Director, Ben Graetz says.
"Thank you to Nooky and Karla from triple j's 'Blak Out', and although it wasn't the NIMAs we had planned, I'm very proud of all the team who worked together on such a wonderful event.
"Hopefully next year we will be back on Larrakia Country, under stars, celebrating all together once again."
National Indigenous Music Awards 2021 Winners
Artist Of The YearThe Kid LAROI
Album Of The Year
JK-47 - 'Made For This'
Song Of The Year
Miiesha - 'Damaged'
New Talent Of The Year
Budjerah
Film Clip Of The Year
Baker Boy - 'Ride feat. Yirrmal'
Indigenous Language Award Of The Year
Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi - The Djari Project
Community Clip Of The Year
Kakadu Collective & Victor Rostron - 'Mayali'
