The annual celebration of First Nations music, now in its 21st year, the National Indigenous Music Awards have blossomed as a platform championing Indigenous Australian music from all corners of the land.
The NIMAs 2025 awards ceremony and concert returned to Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country this evening (9 August), with a glittering event hosted by MCs Elanie Crombie and Ben Graetz alongside a series of powerful, evocative live performances from Drifting Clouds (nominated for Best New Talent), Eleanor Jawurlngali, Kankawa Nagarra, Miss Kaninna (nominated for Best New Talent), and BARKAA.
They join an alumni of performers-winners that includes pioneers and NIMAs Hall Of Fame members Yothu Yindi and the late Dr G. Yunupingu (Gurrumul), Jessica Mauboy (who also performed tonight after being inducted into the Hall Of Fame), Dan Sultan (a 7-time NIMAs award winner) and modern groundbreakers like 3%, King Stingray, Thelma Plum, Baker Boy, The Kid LAROI and Budjerah.
There were two multiple award winners, with Emily Wurramara and Andrew Gurruwiwi Band both walking away with two gongs.
A proud Warnindhilyagwa woman hailing from Groote Eylandt and Milyakburra/ Bickerton Island, and currently based in Lutruwita, Emily Wurramara has made significant contributions as an artist.
Last year, she became the first Indigenous woman to win the Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Awards for her album 'NARA' (the ARIA Awards have been staged annually since 1987).
2024 also saw Emily win Australian Music Video Of The Year at the J Awards. Tonight, Emily added to her trophy cabinet with NIMAs 2025 Artist Of The Year and Film Clip Of The Year (for 'Lordy Lordy') awards.
Emily recently released new music, with the single 'Adore Me'. "I'm a chord girl – so after laying down the chords for 'Adore Me', I just sat there at two o'clock in the morning improvising," Emily says. "I heard the hook first, recorded it and then improvised the verse, which hasn't changed since then.
"When it comes to songwriting, I feel like love songs are my superpower; I'm very well-versed and experienced in that. I've got a big heart, I'm a lover, and sometimes that can lead to challenges in the self and also within a relationship, but it's all about growth.
"You've gotta go through that to understand the love you deserve and need. You grasp onto this idea of what adoration means, in the hope you find that, only to realise that, hey, maybe you should love yourself first? Set that standard for how you want to be loved.
"Relationships are a lot of work and I firmly believe that fostering these discussions, around love and vulnerability, can lead to greater understanding and connection between people who are longing for that profound experience.
"I think 'Adore Me' really captures that essence – and there's this continuation of community with the way we recorded it, which I loved."
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band were awarded Best New Talent and Single Of The Year (for 2024 song 'Once Upon A Time'). "We're beyond thrilled and so proud to named alongside so many artists we admire. Letju mitrri!!! Big thanks to NIMAs, Music NT and AUM MGMT."
With 2025 appearances at WOMADelaide and Illawarra Folk Festival, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band came in hot at the start of the year with their heaviest offering to date, their horror-rock-opera 'Go To Sleep (The Legend Of Ŋamini Baŋ' Baŋ')'.
Inspired by a popular Yolŋu children's story, the song is sung from the perspective of Ŋamini Baŋ' Baŋ': a nightmarish creature driven by the desire to kidnap little children who refuse to go to sleep, to then take them away into the night to live with her in place of her own children she lost many lifetimes ago.
Soaring vocals, blaring horns, and an absolute shredder of a lead break, this song is immaculately delivered to once again showcase the power, depth and ferocity of the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and their ability to slay across genres.
Accompanying this final single release from the acclaimed album 'Sing Your Own Song' is a cinematically spooky clip produced by Aris & Grimes.
The film takes place on a quiet evening in North East Arnhem Land as everyone prepares for bed after a long day hunting.
A grandmother sings to her grandchildren the old tale of Ŋamini Baŋ' Baŋ'as she's done many times before. Except this time is different: the Creature is on the move, hunting for crying children. Drawn by the sound of her name being spoken, the Creature approaches.
The Blak matriarch of hip hop, Malyapana/ Barkindji artist BARKAA backed up her double win at last year's NIMAs – winning Artist Of The Year & Film Clip Of The Year – by securing Album Of The Year for her release 'Big Tidda', which features the tracks 'Preach' and 'We Up' as well as collaborations with Kobie Dee, Minty and Say True God?.
In May BARKAA released the environmentally-charged single 'NGAMAKA', featuring fellow Malyapana/Barkindji artist and respected elder, Uncle Leroy Johnson. The lyrics written by BARKAA and Leroy, send an urgent call to raise awareness about the plight of the Murray-Darling Basin.
"Ngamaka is the Barkindji word for mother / mum. The river is our heartbeat as Barkindji people, the translation is river people. Our river is our mother; our water is our mother and heartbeat. Whenever the river is depleted, we feel down as people," BARKAA says.
Directed by Kieran Mpetyane Satour and captured by cinematographer Ryan Andrew Lee, the song's music video was filmed on BARKAA's Barkindji Country. The visual was inspired by BARKAA's desire to return home to show the beauty and importance of The Darling/ Baaka.
"Shooting the music video on Country was so beautiful and special. It was one of the most monumental moments in my career. It has been a long time coming to bring it back home and bring it on Country. I think the music video will speak for itself," BARKAA expresses.
Arguably the most poignant moment of the night was when R&B, pop, soul, funk singer-songwriter Jessica Mauboy's 20-plus year career was celebrated, the 'Little Things', 'We Got Love' and 'Give You Love' artist was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
A proud Kuku Yalanji and Wakaman woman born in Darwin, Mauboy has become one of the country's most successful recording artists, with 6 Top 10 albums, 16 Top 20 singles and a whopping 31 ARIA nominations, making her one of the most nominated artists in the Awards' history.
From her breakout on 'Australian Idol' to chart-topping hits like 'Burn' and 'Little Things', Mauboy has consistently elevated Blak stories and voices on a national and global stage.
She has starred in iconic movies and television shows, including award-winning film 'The Sapphires' and television series 'The Secret Daughter', becoming the first Indigenous artist to top the ARIA Albums Chart with the show's soundtrack album.
Through her artistry, advocacy and authenticity, Mauboy has paved the way for future generations of First Nations talent.
The final award went to Bulman School & Community, who scored the win for Community Clip Of The Year for their song 'Crocodile Style'.
