2023 National Indigenous Music Award winners revealed in Darwin
The Territory has stolen the show at the National Indigenous Music Awards, with a couple of bands winning not one but two tops gongs. See the list of winners.
Northern Territory
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Territory talent has come out on top on the night of nights for First Nations music, with six out of nine awards going to NT bands and artists.
The 19th National Indigenous Music Awards were held at the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday night, as part of a packed weekend with both the Darwin Festival and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair also on.
Legendary Yolngu-balanda band Yothu Yindi joined the NIMA Hall of Fame after a transformative four-decade career, while their descendants King Stingray won not one but two top gongs for the five-piece’s hit single, Let’s Go.
The band’s original line-up along with King Stingray vocalist Yirrnga Yunupingu wowed the crowd with a surprise performance of Treaty, while Thelma Plum and Budjerah were among others to take the atmospheric Botanic Gardens stage.
Maningrida band Wildfire Manwurrk also took out two awards, while Ngulmiya from Arnhem Land won the Indigenous Language Award.
Young talent Budjerah was awarded Artist of the Year, beating finalists including Jessica Mauboy and Kid Laroi, and Thelma Plum won Album of the Year for her third EP, Meanjin.
NIMA creative director Ben Graetz said the night celebrated an incredible set of talented First Nations artists.
“So proud of all the artists, performers, nominees and winners at this year’s NIMAs – it was an exceptional night of Blak excellence,” he said.
Artist of the Year
Budjerah
New Talent of the Year
Bumpy
Film Clip of the Year
King Stingray – ‘Let’s Go’
Song of the Year
King Stingray – ‘Let’s Go’
Album of the Year
Thelma Plum – Meanjin (EP)
Community Clip of the Year
Wildfire Manwurrk – ‘Mararradj’
Indigenous Language Award
Ngulmiya, Self-Titled
Hall of Fame
Yothu Yindi
Archie Roach Foundation Award
Wildfire Manwurrk
Named: Territory artists at the forefront of major music awards
12pm, August 12
Some of the Territory’s top artists are among the finalists for the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards.
The NT’s big names such as Jessica Mauboy and King Stingray were joined by up-and-coming artists Wildlife Manwurrk, Yirrmal, Utju Community, Ngulmiya, Lil Yougins, Marlon and Rulla, Garrthalala Community, and Indigenous Outreach Projects with Gunyangara, Yirrkala and Dhalinbuy, NT ft. Yirrmal.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Chansey Paech said Territory musicians made up almost half the finalists, with 22 artists named in total across six categories this year.
“We have fantastic Aboriginal musical talent across the Territory that contributes to a dynamic music industry which is integral to the health, wellbeing, and vitality of our communities,” he said.
“The stage is set for an incredible night of entertainment and celebration, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it all.”
The annual awards night is hosted in Darwin each year, with the 2023 presentation playing a role in the Darwin Festival program on August 12.
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said the NIMAs drew the “very best of Australia’s talented Indigenous artists to the Top End”.
“We get to celebrate them alongside the Territory’s homegrown talent,” he said.
“The NIMAs continue to grow each year, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to see some of the top Indigenous performers in the country on stage under a star-filled Territory sky.
“The NIMAs form part of a bumper week of events showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Country to Couture and National Indigenous Fashion Awards also on.
“The Territory is the place to be when it comes to recognising and celebrating First Nations talent.”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The 2023 Artist of the Year finalists are:
Budjerah
Jessica Mauboy
Mo’Ju
Kobie Dee
The Kid Laroi
NEW TALENT OF THE YEAR
The 2023 New Talent of the Year finalists are:
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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