National Indigenous Music Awards 2024: Bulman School, Sammy Butcher, Rrawun Maymuru win big

A trio of Territorian talents claimed gongs at the weekend’s 20th anniversary edition of the National Indigenous Music Awards, held at the Darwin Amphitheatre. See who else wowed the judges.

Sydney-raised rapper BARKAA has emerged as the big winner from Saturday’s night’s 20th anniversary edition of the National Indigenous Music Awards at Darwin, claiming both artist of the year and film clip of the year.

The celebration of First Nations music at Darwin Amphitheatre was a who’s who of significant players both locally and nationally, with performances from the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Emily Wurramara, Eleanor Jawurlngali peppered throughout the gong presentations.

BARKAA, who has received plaudits from youth broadcaster triple j and GQ Australia since her rise to prominence in 2020, cemented her position as one of the leading lights of Indigenous rap in Australia with her two wins.

Homegrown Darwin star Jessica Mauboy performing with Indigenous hip hop supergroup 3% at the 20th anniversary edition of the National Indigenous Music Awards at Darwin Amphitheatre on August 10, 2024. Picture: Jayde Roxborough

“I have no words, thank you my people, I love yas so much,” she posted to social media in the wake of her twin triumphs.”

Her film clip of the year win was for 2024 anthem ‘We Up’, which contains the memorable refrain, “All of my tiddas [sisters] get down/ None of ya bringing us down again”.

The 20th anniversary edition of the National Indigenous Music Awards was held at Darwin Amphitheatre on August 10, 2024. Picture: Jayde Roxborough

The song, a paean to Indigenous female empowerment, is accompanied by a film clip depicting BARKAA being dumped with the kids by her deadbeat ex-husband before her mum swoops in to save the day, allowing BARKAA and her tiddas to get up to all sorts of mischief.

Other winners on the night included Sydney singer-songwriter Becca Hatch (new talent of the year), Dan Sultan (album of the year), hip hop supergroup 3% (song of the year) and Bulman School (community clip of the year).

Bulman School, located several hours outside of Katherine, was awarded for its community clip to song ‘Nidjarra’, which was sung in Dalabon, one of Bulman and Weemol’s traditional languages.

Principal Adam Cox previously told this masthead the song and accompanying clip were the product of the community’s Language Through Music program, which is facilitated by elders and has been running since 2023.

Video posted to social media by Bulman School depicts a gaggle of students rushing onto the stage before triumphantly holding aloft their plaques.

Sammy Butcher, the Papunya musician who helped found the Warumpi Band, was inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame, while Rrawun Maymuru (yolngu) and Electric Fields (anpuru maau kutjpa) both won Indigenous language awards.

Warumpi Band founder Sammy Butcher's family accept his award at the 20th anniversary edition of the National Indigenous Music Awards at Darwin Amphitheatre on August 10, 2024. Picture: Paz Tassone

NIMA creative director Ben Graetz reflected on the significance of this year’s ceremony.

“What an incredible night at NIMAs celebrating the 20th anniversary,” he said.

“It made me feel so proud seeing all the mob come from around the country to share in the celebrations and to honour our extraordinary musicians.

“A big highlight for me was the special NIMA medley and Jessica Mauboy, who also celebrated her 20 years in the music industry.”