Baker Boy, 3%, and Jem Cassar-Daley will compete for artist of the year at Australia’s 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), one of six categories to be presented during a ceremony Saturday, August 8 at Darwin Amphitheatre. Also nominated for artist of the year are Birdz and Fred Leone, BUMPY, Miss Kaninna, and South Summit.
Baker Boy (real name: Danzal Baker), a multiple ARIA Award winner, is nominated for album of the year for Djandjay, film clip of the year, and song of the year for “THICK SKIN” featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn, and Jada Weazel. He will perform at the ceremony.
Drifting Clouds, a rising artist from northeast Arnhem Land who blends ancient songlines with 1980s synth-pop, is nominated for best new talent, best song, and best video clip for “Bawuypawuy.” Jem Cassar-Daley, daughter of country star Troy Cassar-Daley, is nominated for song of the year for “Front Left Pocket.”
The awards take place during a week-long celebration of First Nations excellence, running August 5–11, alongside the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards.
“The 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards nominees represent an extraordinary diverse showcase of the incredible talent shaping First Nations music today,” said Catherine Satour, chairperson of Music NT, the trade association that organizes the ceremony.
Source: Billboard