National Indigenous Music Awards
The National Indigenous Music Awards, are awarded during the Darwin Festival and are run by MusicNT in association with the Northern Territory Government’s Indigenous Arts Development Unit.
The NT Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the NT music industry. The Awards are presented at a special showcase event in August as part of Darwin Festival, and feature the best indigenous music talent in the NT.
The Awards are industry based and focus with nominations coming from industry, pre-selection by a local industry committee and final judging of Award winners by an independent panel of NT and interstate music industry professionals
The Awards
2004
The Inaugural Indigenous Music Awards were held on 28 August 2004 at the Darwin Festival Club. The winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Male Musician of the Year | Warren H. Williams |
| Female Musician of the Year | Shellie Morris |
| Band of the Year | Yothu Yindi |
| People's Choice Award | Saltwater Band |
| Best New Talent | Yilila |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | The Rak Badjalarr album |
| Hall of Fame | George Rrurrambu, the Mills Sisters and Mandawuy Yunupingu |
2005
The second annual NT Indigenous Music Awards were held at Marrara Oval on 27 August 2005. The Awards attracted the likes of Peter Garrett, now Shadow Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts, who was a guest presenter with NT Chief Minister Clare Martin and with his old mate George Rrurrambu of Warumpi Band. The Awards ceremony and concert, which was headlined by the Letterstick Band and Lajamanu Teenage Band, was broadcast live by local station TEABBA and picked up by Indigenous radio stations across the country. The winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Best Music Release | Yilila – "Manila, Manila" |
| Song of the Year | Yilila - "Mijiyanga" |
| Male Musician of the Year | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Galiwin’ku |
| Female Musician of the Year | Shellie Morris |
| Band of the Year | Nabarlek |
| Most Popular Song Award | Warren H. Williams - "Dreamtime Baby" |
| Best New Talent | Mandy Garling |
| Cover Art of the Year | Jurtbirrk, Love Songs from Western Arnhem Land |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Jurtbirrk, Love Songs from Western Arnhem Land |
| Hall of Fame | Kathy & David Mills, The Mystics, Dick Mununggu, Gus Williams, Auriel Andrew, Mr. Yamma Snr and Herbie Laughton |
| Outstanding Contribution Award | CAAMA Music & Letterstick |
2006
The third annual NT Indigenous Music Awards were held on 25 August 2006. The audience was treated to live performances by a line-up of NT acts including Yilila, Saltwater Band, NoKTuRNL, Warren H Williams, June Mills and Tom E Lewis. The winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Yilila |
| Best Music Release | Tom E. Lewis – "Sunshine After Rain" |
| Song of the Year | Warren H. Williams - "Learn My Song" |
| Male Musician of the Year | Grant Nundhirribala |
| Female Musician of the Year | June Mills |
| Best New Talent | Task |
| Cover Art of the Year | Warren H. Williams - "Be Like Home" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | White Cockatoo - "Maningrida" |
| Hall of Fame | Warumpi Band and Soft Sands |
| Outstanding Contribution Award | Sammy Butcher and Keith Lapalung |
2007
The fourth annual NT Indigenous Wards were held on 25 August 2007 at the Gardens Amphitheatre, Botanic Gardens, Darwin. On the night there were live performances featuring Kenbi Dancers, Ngarakuruwala, Jessica Mauboy and Nabarlek. The winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Jessica Mauboy |
| Album of the Year | Nabarlek - Manmoyi Radio |
| Song of the Year | Terrah Guymala - "Little Journey to Manmoyi" |
| Best New Talent | Leah Flanagan |
| Cover Art of the Year | Nabarlek - Manmoyi Radio |
| Film Clip of the Year | Nabarlek - "Brown Bird" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Kenbi Dancers, Kevin Djimarr - "Wurrurrumi Kun-Borrk" |
| Hall of Fame | Betty Fisher, Barry Benning |
| Special Contribution Award | Paul "Djolpa" McKenzie, Steven Tranter |
2008
The 2008 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Album of the Year | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul |
| Song of the Year | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - "Wiyathul" |
| Best New Talent | B2M |
| Cover Art of the Year | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul |
| Gospel Album of the Year | Harold Dalywaters and the Elliot Gospel Band |
| Film Clip of the Year | Saltwater Band - Live |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Muyngarnbi - "Songs from Walking with Spirits" Ngarukuruwala - "We Sing Songs" |
| Hall of Fame | Peter Miller and Blek Bala Mujik, Mark Raymond and the Kulumindini Band |
| Special Recognition Award | Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Mr Nundhirribala |
2009
The 2009 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Album of the Year | Jessica Mauboy - Been Waiting |
| Song of the Year | Jessica Mauboy - "Running Back" |
| Best New Talent | Pott Street |
| Cover Art of the Year | Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Gurrumul |
| Film Clip of the Year | Dunganda Street Sounds - "Señor" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Dunganda Street Sounds |
| Hall of Fame | Sammy Butcher, Tableland Drifters, Dave Asera |
2010
The 2010 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Album of the Year | Garrangali – Garrangali |
| Song of the Year | Garrangali – "Searights" |
| Best New Talent | Wildflower |
| Cover Art of the Year | Garrangali |
| Film Clip of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu - "History" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Mulka Project & Dhuwa Dhapi – "Sea Rights Bungul" |
| Hall of Fame | Kumanjayi Murphy |
| Special Recognition Award | Ali Mills |
2011
The 2011 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Album of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala |
| Song of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu and Blue King Brown – "Gathu Mawula" |
| Best New Talent | Rrawun Maymuru |
| Cover Art of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu – Rrakala |
| Film Clip of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu and Blue King Brown – "Gathu Mawula" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Yilpara, Madarrpa clan – "Djambawa Marawili" Gurrumuru, Dhalwangu clan – "Yumutjin Wunungmurra" Dhalinybuy, Wangurri clan – "Mathulu Munyarryun" |
| Hall of Fame | Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address |
2012
The 2012 winner were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Album of the Year | The Medics – Foundations |
| Song of the Year | The Medics – "Griffin" |
| Best New Talent | The Medics |
| Cover Art of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu & Sarah Blasko – "Bayini" |
| Film Clip of the Year | East Journey – "Ngarrpiya" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Warren H Williams and the Warumungu Songmen - "Winanjjara" Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen - "Ngambala Wiji Li-Wunungu" |
| Hall of Fame | Jimmy Little |
2013
The 2013 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Jessica Mauboy |
| Album of the Year | Archie Roach – Into the Bloodstream |
| Song of the Year | Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen – "Waliwaliyangu li-Anthawirriyarra a-Kurija " |
| Best New Talent | Thelma Plum |
| Cover Art of the Year | Archie Roach – Into the Bloodstream |
| Film Clip of the Year | Archie Roach – "Song to Sing" |
| Community Music Clip | Rockhole - "Wurli" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | The Mulka Manikay Archives - "Wandawuy" |
| Hall of Fame | Henry Dan, Wirrinyga Band, Archie Roach |
| Special Recognition Award | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
2014
The 2014 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Jessica Mauboy |
| Album of the Year | Dan Sultan – Blackbird |
| Song of the Year | Dan Sultan – "The Same Man" |
| Best New Talent | Briggs |
| Cover Art of the Year | Dan Sultan – Blackbird |
| Film Clip of the Year | Bright Lights Big City – "East Journey" |
| Community Music Clip | Desert Sevenz - "Fly Back Home" |
| Traditional Music Award of the Year | Jaydron Nundhirribala, Roland Nundhirribala and Grant Nundhirribala and Lindsay Gameraidj - "Nangale" |
| Hall of Fame | Munkimuk aka Mark Munk Ross |
2015
The 2015 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan |
| Album of the Year | Briggs – Sheplife |
| Song of the Year | Thelma Plum – "How Much Does Your Love Cost?" |
| Best New Talent | Philly |
| Cover Art of the Year | Radical Son – Cause N Affect |
| Film Clip of the Year | Briggs – "Bad Apples" |
| Community Music Clip | Cairns Murri Crew - "Built to Last" |
| Traditional Song of the Year | Djalu Gurruwiwi and East Journey - "Mokuy & Bonba" |
| Hall of Fame | Vic Simms and Blekbala Mujik |
2016
The 2016 winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Artist of the Year | Gurrumul Yunupingu |
| Album of the Year | Gawurra – Ratja Yaliyali |
| Song of the Year | Briggs, Dewayne Everettsmith and Gurrumul – "The Children Came Back" |
| Best New Talent | Gawurra |
| Cover Art of the Year | Gawurra – Ratja Yaliyali |
| Film Clip of the Year | Gawurra – "Ratja Yaliyali" |
| Community Music Clip | Ngukurr Community, Indigenous Hip Hop Projects, White Ribbon – "Break The Silence" |
| Traditional Song of the Year | Ishmael Marika – "Two Sisters Journey" |
| Hall of Fame | Kutcha Edwards |
2017
The 2017 nominations and winners were:Artist of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| A.B. Original | |
| Dan Sultan | |
| Jessica Mauboy | |
| Troy Cassar-Daley |
New Talent of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| Apakatjah | |
| Electric Fields | |
| Emily Wurramara | |
| Tia Gostelow | |
| Yirrmal |
Album of the Year
| Artist and album | Result |
| A.B. Original - Reclaim Australia | |
| Busby Marou - Postcards from the Shell House | |
| Leah Flanagan - Saudades | |
| Troy Cassar-Daley - Things I Carry Around |
Film Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| A.B. Original featuring Dan Sultan – "January 26" | |
| Dan Sultan - "Magnetic" | |
| Lonely Boys - "Hunter" | |
| Lorrpu - "Lorrpu" |
Song of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| A.B. Original featuring Dan Sultan – "January 26" | |
| Emily Wurramara - "Hey Love" | |
| Leah Flanagan - "Chills" | |
| Lonely Boys - "Hunter" | |
| Troy Cassar-Daley - "Things I Carry Around" | |
| Yirrmal - "The Bridge" |
Community Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Halls Creek - "Save the Water 'Ngaba'" | |
| Logan - "Logan City" | |
| Ngukurr - "Choose Water'" | |
| Dust Up - "With Knowledge Comes New Friends" | |
| NPY Lands - "2016 – Warakurna" |
2018
The 2018 Music Awards were held on 11 August 2018 at The Amphitheatre Botanical Gardens. The 2018 nominations and winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Special Achievement Award | Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir |
| NT Traditional Music Award | Buku-waṯthunawuy Nininyᶇu Rom - Ancient Languages New Sounds & Kenbi Dancers |
| Hall of Fame Inductee | Roger Knox |
Artist of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| A.B. Original | |
| Archie Roach | |
| Electric Fields | |
| Gurrumul | |
| Jessica Mauboy |
New Talent of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| Alice Skye | |
| Baker Boy | |
| Emily Wurramara | |
| Isaiah Firebrace | |
| Ziggy Ramo |
Album of the Year
| Artist and album | Result |
| Dan Sultan - Killer | |
| Emily Wurramara - Milyakburra | |
| Gurrumul - Djarimirri | |
| Kardajala Kirridarra - Kardajala Kirridarra | |
| Kuren - Melting Conceptually |
Film Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Alice Skye - "Friends With Feelings" | |
| Baker Boy - "Marryuna" | |
| Birdz - "This Side" | |
| Black Rock Band - "Bininj Kuborrk" | |
| Jessica Mauboy - "We Got Love" |
Song of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Baker Boy - "Marryuna" | |
| Busby Marou - "Days of Gold" | |
| Dan Sultan - "Kingdom" | |
| Gurrumul - "Djarimirri " | |
| Kardajala Kirridarra - "Ngurra" |
Community Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Ali Curung NT - "Bounce With Me" | |
| B-Town Warriors - "Thundercloud: Bourke" | |
| Condobolin, NSW: The Condo Crew - "How Ya Feelin'" | |
| Githabul Next Generation - "Looking Out For Country" | |
| Mulli Mulli and Yiyili Mawoolie - "Yiyili Kids" |
2019
The 2019 Music Awards were held on 12 August 2019 at The Amphitheatre Botanical Gardens. The 2019 nominations and winners were:| Award | Winner |
| Hall of Fame Inductee | Tiddas and Wilma Reading |
| Special Recognition Award | Djuki Mala |
| Archie Roach Foundation Award | Mambali |
Artist of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| Archie Roach | |
| Baker Boy | |
| Briggs | |
| Electric Fields | |
| Jessica Mauboy | |
| Mojo Juju |
New Talent of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| Dallas Woods | |
| Kaiit | |
| Kobie Dee | |
| Mambali Band | |
| Tasman Keith |
Album of the Year
| Artist and album | Result |
| Archie Roach - The Concert Collection 2012-2018 | |
| Dan Sultan - Aviary Takes | |
| Mojo Juju - Native Tongue | |
| Tia Gostelow - Thick Skin | |
| Thelma Plum - Better in Blak |
Film Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Briggs - "Life is Incredible" | |
| Mojo Juju - "Native Tongue" | |
| Tasman Keith - "Prey" | |
| Thelma Plum - "Better in Blak" | |
| Yirrmal - "For Everyone" |
Song of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Baker Boy - "Black Magic" | |
| Electric Fields - "2000 and Whatever" | |
| Mojo Juju - "Native Tongue" | |
| Tasman Keith - "Prey" | |
| Yirrmal - "For Everyone" |
Community Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Deni Mob - "State of the Heart" | |
| Peppi School - "Play Good Way" | |
| Numbulwar School Band - "What's the Reason?" | |
| Tiwi College - "Picka Family" |
2020
The 2020 Music Awards are scheduled to be held on 8 August 2020 and broadcast on free-to-air television, Double J on digital radio, National Indigenous Radio Service broadcasters on terrestrial radio and Twitter, Facebook and YouTube across the online world. The night will be hosted by Elaine Crombie and Steven Oliver. The nominations were announced on 13 July 2020.| Award | Winner |
| Hall of Fame Inductee | |
| Special Recognition Award | |
| Archie Roach Foundation Award |
Artist of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| Archie Roach | |
| Baker Boy | |
| Electric Fields | |
| Emily Wurramara | |
| Jessica Mauboy | |
| Mau Power | |
| Thelma Plum |
New Talent of the Year
| Artist | Result |
| Allara | |
| Dallas Woods | |
| Kee'ahn | |
| Miiesha | |
| Mitch Tambo |
Album of the Year
| Artist and album | Result |
| Archie Roach - Tell Me Why | |
| Jessica Mauboy - Hilda | |
| Mau Power - Blue Lotus the Awakening | |
| Miiesha - Nyaaringu | |
| Ray Dimakarri Dixon - Standing Strong Mudburra Man |
Film Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Baker Boy ft. Jess B - "Meditjin" | |
| Briggs ft. Tim Minchin - "House Fyre" | |
| Dallas Woods - "If It Glitters It's Gold" | |
| Miiesha - "Drowning" | |
| Tasman Keith - "Billy Bad Again" |
Song of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Alice Skye - "I Feel Better But I Don't Feel Good" | |
| Baker Boy ft. Jess B - "Meditjin" | |
| Briggs ft. Tim Minchin - "House Fyre" | |
| Electric Fields & Keiino - "Would I Lie" | |
| Kee'ahn - "Better Things" | |
| Thelma Plum - "Homecoming Queen" |
Community Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
| Booningbah Goories | |
| Bwgcolman Mob | |
| Githabul Next Generation | |
| Iron Range Danger Gang | |
| KDA Crew | |
| Ntaria Connect |
Indigenous Language Award
| Artist and song | Result |
| Rrawun Maymuru & Nick Wales - "Nyapililngu " | |
| Stuart Nugget - "Nayurni " |