The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) 2026 Winners Revealed

Baker Boy was the big winner at this year's National Indigenous Music Awards, taking home three major awards over the weekend.

Held at Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country under the stars, the NIMAs celebrate First Nations talents and stories, with Baker Boy taking out the illustrious Album of the Year for his groundbreaking sophomore album DJANDJAY and Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year for his single 'THICK SKIN' featuring a list of stellar Blak talent collaborators: Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel. 

Other artists to win their categories included the stylish cousin duo of Birdz & Fred Leone, who won the prestigious Artist of the Year for their breakout EP GIRA, and the genre-defying creative Drifting Clouds, who took out New Talent of the Year. The Community Clip of the Year went to Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) for 'All The Way From The NPA'.

Also joining the winners list was Bulman School & Community, who were awarded the Indigenous Language Award for 'LOK LOK MAH BURARR' (Lizard & Goanna).

Musical legends Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band were both inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame.

"Last night's celebration brought together some of the most incredible music and musicians this country produces, showcasing the rich connection of family and culture," said MusicNT's Mark Smith. "From the Red Flag Dancers opening to closing the night, honouring our newest Hall of Fame inductees, Saltwater Band, the NIMAs are proud to continue as a platform supporting and spotlighting this country’s most exciting music scene."

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The NIMAs also featured a stack of electrifying performances from a host of First Nations artists, with triple j Unearthed winner Kyla Belle, Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Bumpy, Boorloo reggae-rock outfit South Summit, enigmatic duo Electric Fields and BIG NOTER, Briggs new hardcore project, all taking to the stage across the evening.

Fresh from being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Saltwater Band surprised those in attendance with a special performance, playing 'Bolu' and 'Sailing Boat'.

The 2026 NIMAs took place at Garamilla/Darwin's Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 8 August. Check out the full list of winners below or visit nima.musicnt.com.au.

National Indigenous Music Awards 2026 Winners

Artist of the Year

3%

Baker Boy

Birdz and Fred Leone WINNER

BUMPY

Jem Cassar-Daley

Miss Kaninna

South Summit

Best New Talent

Drifting Clouds WINNER

Inkabee

Jet Cameron

Say True God?

Voices of Resistance

Zipporah

Album of the Year

Baker Boy - DJANDJAY WINNER

Birdz & Fred Leone - GIRA

Emma Donovan - Take Me to The River

Say True God? - BLAK

Stiff Gins - Crossroads

Trials - hendle

Film Clip of the Year

3% - 'Our Greats'

Baker Boy - 'THICK SKIN' feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel WINNER

Birdz & Fred Leone - 'Wanya Nyin Yanmanj'

Drifting Clouds - 'Bawuypawuy'

Kobie Dee - 'Aim For The Stars'

South Summit - 'Top of the Hill'

Community Clip of the Year

Bulman School & Community - 'LOK LOK MAH BURARR' (Lizard & Goanna)

Geraldton TIS - 'Barndi Yarraly' (Vaping is Vicious, Not Delicious)

K2 the B and CJR - 'Barunga'

Mossman Gorge - 'Yundu Bama Yalada'

Mossman Mob - 'Still Believing'

Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) - 'All The Way From The NPA' WINNER

Wujal Wujal - 'Rainforest to the Sea'

Song of the Year

Baker Boy - 'THICK SKIN' feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel WINNER

Birdz & Fred Leone - 'Wanya Nyin Yanmanj'

Drifting Clouds - 'Bawuypawuy'

Jem Cassar-Daley - 'Front Left Pocket'

Yung Maynie - 'Always Was'

Zipporah - 'Some Typa Way'

Indigenous Language Award

Bulman School & Community - 'LOK LOK MAH BURARR' (Lizard & Goanna) WINNER

Hall of Fame Inductees

Marlene Cummins

Saltwater Band