While this year's National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) may have looked (and sounded) a little different, it was a great celebration of the First Nations artists that are making waves both in Australia and overseas.
The awards were broadcast on triple j, Double J, the National Indigenous Radio Service and triple j Unearthed, with Blak Out host/rapper and Yuin man Nooky hosting the ceremony alongside triple j presenter Karla Ranby.
Global superstar and Kamilaroi rapper The Kid LAROI was recognised for his huge year, which included the release of Stay, his monumental collaboration with Justin Bieber. His mixtape project, F*CK LOVE, meant that he became the youngest artist to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 this decade, not to mention the first First Nations artist.
LAROI was named Artist Of The Year and was nominated for Album and Song Of The Year. Coodjinburra singer Budjerah won the award for Best New Talent, while Bundjalung rapper JK-47 won Album Of The Year for his album Made For This.
The best new talent award for Budjerah is well deserved - his self-titled EP, released earlier this year, showcased his songwriting prowess and stunning vocal prowess. He's been working closely with Matt Corby, and we're excited for much more music from Budjerah going forward.
Other winners on the night included Yolgnu artist Baker Boy, who was awarded Film Clip Of The Year for his track Ride, and Woorabinda singer Miiesha, who won Song Of The Year for her track Damaged.
The awards, which normally take place in the Darwin Amphitheatre, were moved to a radio format due to COVID, but NIMAs Creative Director Ben Graetz says they're hoping to be back in Darwin in 2022.
READ MORE: Go Behind The Scenes Of Budjerah & MAY-A's Epic 'Talk' Video
You can check out all the winners below - congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
National Indigenous Music Awards 2021 Winners
Artist of the Year
The Kid Laroi
Album of the Year
JK-47 – Made For This
New Talent of the Year
Budjerah
Song of the Year
Miiesha – Damaged (songwriters: Miiesha Young/Stephen Collins)
Film Clip of the Year
Baker Boy – Ride ft. Yirrmal (Director: Ryan Sauer)
Indigenous Language Award
Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi – The Djari Project
Community Clip of the Year
Kakadu Collective & Victor Rostron – Mayali
Hall of Fame
Kev Carmody
