The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) Reveal 2026 Nominees

This year sees the likes of Naarm-based rapper Miss Kaninna, unstoppable hip-hop group 3% and hard-hitting cousin duo of Birdz & Fred Leone all nominated for awards.

Image supplied

Less than a month out from the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), organisers have revealed the nominees for this year’s awards, along with announcing Boorloo-based reggae band South Summit will join the live performance lineup.

Bringing to a close NAIDOC Week’s 50 Years of Deadly milestone, the NIMAs take place at Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 8 August and feature an incredible array of First Nations artists who are in the running for six prestigious awards.

The hard-hitting cousin duo of Birdz and Fred Leone are up for the most awards with four nominations for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for GIRA, Film Clip of the Year and Song of the Year for ‘Wanya Nyin Yanmanj’.

Along with Birdz and Fred Leone, there are six other artists up for the coveted Artist of the Year Award, with Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali sovereign woman Miss Kaninna, Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung woman Jem Cassar-Daley, chart-topping artist Baker Boy, soul-stirring singer Bumpy, the unstoppable force of 3% and South Summit, who are also in the running for Film Clip of the Year for their track ‘Top of the Hill’.

Other notable nominees include Drifting Clouds, who is up for Best New Talent, Film Clip of the Year and Song of the Year; Zipporah, who has been nominated for Best New Talent and Song of the Year; Jem Cassar-Daley, with two nods for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year; and Yung Maynie, who is up for Song of the Year.

“2026 National Indigenous Music Awards nominees represent an extraordinary diverse showcase of the incredible talent shaping First Nations music today,” says Music NT’s Catherine Satou.

“This year's list is one of our strongest yet, celebrating artists who are pushing creative boundaries, sharing powerful stories and continuing to inspire audiences across this country. Congratulations to every finalist, looking forward to honouring your achievements together on Larrakia Country in August.”

Across six categories, 24 acts have been acknowledged ahead of this year's NIMAs, with the full list of nominees below.

READ MORE: Old Mervs Announce New Album Carparks, Share Single ‘She Said’

Along with the awards, there will be a host of live performances at the NIMAs, with celebrated Yolŋu rapper, dancer and artist Baker Boy headlining the event.

Speaking on his involvement in this year’s ceremony, Baker Boy says, “Pumped to be heading back up North for the NIMAs, it's always deadly seeing all the mob come together and celebrating our talent. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty keen to get my hands on some mud crab, true god.”

Also performing on the night are multi-award-winning electronic duo Electric Fields; proud Yorta-Yorta/Wurundjeri/Wemba-Wemba man and Aboriginal Australian music icon Briggs's new hardcore project Big Noter; Australia’s longest-performing Indigenous female group Stiff Gins; Torres Strait Islander artist Zipporah; and Noongar woman and Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Bumpy.

Last year’s ceremony was hosted by Elanie Crombie and Ben Graetz and included powerful live performances from Drifting Clouds, Eleanor Jawurlngali, Kankawa Nagarra, Miss Kaninna and Emma Donova.

The 2026 NIMAs take place at Garamilla/Darwin’s Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday 8 August. Visit nima.musicnt.com.au for more info.

National Indigenous Music Awards 2026

Saturday 8 August 2026 - Darwin Amphitheatre, Garramilla/Darwin, NT

AWARD CATEGORIES:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
3%
Baker Boy
Birdz and Fred Leone
BUMPY
Jem Cassar-Daley
Miss Kaninna
South Summit

BEST NEW TALENT
Drifting Clouds - “Bawuypawuy”
Inkabee
Jet Cameron
Say True God?
Dallas Woods, Nooky, Fred Leone, RIAH & Soju Gang - “Voices of Resistance”
Zipporah - “Some Typa Way”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Baker Boy - DJANDJAY
Birdz & Fred Leone - GIRA
Say True God? - BLAK
Emma Donovan - Take Me to The River
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
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)
Mossman Gorge - “Yundu Bama Yalada”
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) - “All The Way From The NPA”
Mossman Mob - “Still Believing”
Geraldton TIS - “Barndi Yarraly” (Vaping is Vicious, Not Delicious)
K2 the B and CJR - “Barunga”
Wujal Wujal - “Rainforest to the Sea”

SONG OF THE YEAR
Baker Boy - “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel
Birdz & Fred Leone - “Wanya Nyin Yanmanj”
Drifting Clouds - “Bawuypawuy”
Jem Cassar-Daley - “Front Left Pocket”
Yung Maynie - “Always Was”
ZIPPORAH - “Some Typa Way”

2026 LIVE PERFORMANCE LINEUP
Baker Boy
BIG NOTER
Bumpy
Casii Williams
Electric Fields
South Summit (just added)
Stiff Gins
Zipporah
+ more to be announced

---