The National Indigenous Music Awards have announced their 2018 finalists and performers. The NIMAs are celebrating their 15th birthday this year and have a lot to be excited about.

Performers at the ceremony are set to include Busby Marou, Baker Boy, Kasey Chambers with Alan Pigram. Baker Boy and Busby Marou are also finalists, up for 2 of the same NIMAs. Baker Boy is also nominated for best new talent. Other nominees include Dan Sultan, Gurrumul, Jessica Mauboy, and Alice Skye.

“The growth in the National Indigenous Music Awards has mirrored the growth of Indigenous music

more generally over the last fifteen years,” says NIMA Reference Group Chair Warren H. Williams. The awards will celebrate everything NIMA has accomplished in these years.

The NIMAs have become a platform for Indigenous music, and is responsible for growth in funding and recognition of Indigenous music and musicians. “The awards have been there not just to celebrate their successes, but to be a launching pad for new talent and discovery vehicle for musicians, whether they are from Darwin, Devonport, Derby, Dubbo or the Daintree.”

This year is also worth celebration considering the accomplishments of Indigenous musicians this past year. In the past year, Indigenous artists have released number one albums, placed throughout the Hottest 100, and represented Australia at Eurovision.

The awards take place August 11 at the Darwin Ampitheatre. A full list of performers and finalists can be found below.

The National Indigenous Music Awards finalists and performers:

PERFORMING AT THE 2018 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS:

Baker Boy

Busby Marou

Kasey Chambers with Alan Pigram

Roger Knox

Kardajala Kirridarra

Yirrmal

Kenbi Dancers

Central Australian Women’s Choir

Stiff Gins

Triple J Unearthed Winner

Album of the Year:

Dan Sultan – Killer

Emily Wurramara – Milyakburra

Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)

Kardajala Kirridarra – Kardajala Kirridarra

Kuren – Melting Conceptually

Song of the Year:

Baker Boy – Marryuna

Busby Marou – Days of Gold

Dan Sultan – Kingdom

Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)

Kardajala Kirridarra – Ngurra

Artist of the Year:

A.B. Original

Archie Roach

Electric Fields

Gurrumul

Jessica Mauboy

Best New Talent (Presented by Spotify):

Alice Skye

Baker Boy

Emily Wurramara

Isaiah

Ziggy Ramo

Film Clip of the Year:

Alice Skye – Friends With Feelings

Baker Boy – Marryuna

Birdz – This Side

Black Rock Band – Bininj Kuborrk

Jessica Mauboy – We Got Love

Community Clip of the Year:

Ali Curung NT – Bounce With Me

B-Town Warriors – Thundercloud: Bourke

Condobolin, NSW: The Condo Crew – ‘How Ya Feelin’

Githabul Next Generation – ‘Looking Out For Country’

Mulli Mulli

Yiyili Mawoolie – ‘Yiyili Kids’