Queensland talent dominates 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards nominations
Queensland artists have dominated the nominations for the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards, from Australian Idol winner Royston Noell to standout star Thelma Plum. SEE THE FULL LIST
Entertainment
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A host of Queensland artists have emerged as frontrunners in the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA), following the announcement of nominations on Wednesday.
Among the leading contenders are Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum, Australian Idol 2023 winner Royston Noell, Brisbane band Tjaka, and Woorabinda’s Miiesha.
Brisbane’s Thelma Plum who was the standout star of the 2023 Queensland Music Awards, has been nominated for Album of the Year and Film Clip of the Year.
Australian Idol winner Royston Noell, who hails from Mapoon in Far North Queensland, and Brisbane band Tjaka, are both in the running for New Talent of the Year.
“As a proud Thanakwith and Wagadagam man, I feel so lucky to be nominated for the New Talent of The Year award at the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards,” Noell said.
“The NIMAS are so important and I feel incredibly humbled & honoured to be recognised alongside such deadly artists and creators.”
Woorabinda’s own Miiesha has been recognised in the Song of the Year and Album of the Year categories for ‘Skin Deep’.
Adding to the Queensland glory, Eurovision star Dami Im, who features in song “Promise Land’ alongside Yirrmal, has also received a Song of the Year nomination.
Just across the Queensland border, ARIA-winning singer-songwriter Budjerah, from Fingal Head, leads this year’s finalists list with nominations for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Film Clip of the Year.
Budjerah’s nominations cap off an impressive year, in which he has supported Ed Sheeran on tour, performed at Central Park in New York, and released the hit single, ‘Therapy’.
Budjerah is also slated to perform on the awards night, alongside fellow nominee Jessica Mauboy.
The awards ceremony, celebrating Indigenous culture and excellence, is scheduled for Saturday, August 12 at the Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country.
The event, featuring 22 of Australia’s finest First Nations artists, will be broadcast nationally on National Indigenous Television (NITV) at 7.30pm on Sunday, 13 August.
This year’s event hosts include Queensland’s Fred Leone, a respected cultural leader and Butchulla Songman, and Elaine Crombie, actor, singer, writer, and daughter of former Queensland Origin prop Sam Backo. Leone will also grace the audience with a special performance of his latest single ‘Yirimi Gundir’.
Expressing his excitement about the upcoming event, NITV’s Head of Entertainment, Events and Sport, and proud Gooreng Gooreng man Adam Manovic said, “Music has always been an important part of our people’s Cultures. We look forward to celebrating the incredible talents of our First Nations music community once again.”
2023 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Artist of the Year
Budjerah
Jessica Mauboy
Mo’Ju
Kobie Dee
The Kid Laroi
New Talent of the Year
Bumpy
Royston Noell
Wildfire Manwurrk
Marlon X Rulla
Tjaka
Film Clip of the Year
Wildfire Manwurrk – ‘Lonely Bangardi’
Budjerah – ‘Therapy’
A.B. Original – ‘King Billy Cokebottle’
Thelma Plum – ‘The Brown Snake’
King Stingray – ‘Let’s Go’
Song of the Year
Bumpy – ‘Hide and Seek’
Budjerah – ‘Therapy’
Miiesha – ‘Skin Deep’
King Stingray – ‘Let’s Go’
Yirrmal ft. Dami Im – ‘Promised Land’
Album of the Year
Thelma Plum – Meanjin (EP)
Ngulmiya – Self-titled
Mo’Ju – Oro Plata Mata
Miiesha – Smoke & Mirrors
Beddy Rays – Self-titled
Community Clip of the Year
Wildfire Manwurrk – ‘Mararradj’
Utju Community – ‘Tjamuku Tjukurpa Kanyila’
Lil Youngins – ‘The Problem’
Indigenous Outreach Project w/ Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy, NT ft. Yirrmal – ‘Indigenous
Outreach Projects, Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy ft. Yirrmal’
Garrthalala Community – ‘Garrthalala Manikay’
Dunghutti Community in Kempsey NSW – ‘The Black Truth – There’s Still Hope’
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