2026 National Indigenous Music Awards winners and highlights
Consensus Summary
The 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) celebrated Indigenous artists across Australia with Baker Boy taking home three major awards for his album *Djandjay* and single *Thick Skin*, which both won Album of the Year and Song of the Year respectively. The awards also honored Birdz and Fred Leone as Artist of the Year, Drifting Clouds as Best New Talent, and inducted Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band into the NIMAs Hall of Fame for their three-decade contributions. Baker Boy’s album, released last year, evolved from his 2021 debut and reflects themes like the Voice referendum and systemic racism, while his grandmother’s role in bringing hip-hop to Arnhem Land in the 1980s was highlighted. Birdz and Fred Leone’s six-track EP *GIRA*, released in 2025, showcased their collaboration, and the Bulman School won the Indigenous Language Award for their song about a Dreamtime story. The event underscored the diversity and impact of Indigenous music, with awards spanning genres from hip-hop to jazz and blues.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Baker Boy won Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Film Clip of the Year at the 2026 NIMAs for his album *Djandjay* and song *Thick Skin* (feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel).
- Birdz and Fred Leone won Artist of the Year at the 2026 NIMAs.
- Drifting Clouds (Terry Guyula) won Best New Talent at the 2026 NIMAs.
- Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band were inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame in 2026.
- The Northern Peninsula Area won Community Clip of the Year at the 2026 NIMAs.
- Bulman School & Community won the Indigenous Language Award for *Lok Lok Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna)* at the 2026 NIMAs.
- Birdz and Fred Leone released a six-track EP titled *GIRA* in 2025.
- Baker Boy’s album *Djandjay* was an evolution from his 2021 debut *Gela*.
- Baker Boy’s grandmother brought hip-hop to Arnhem Land in the 1980s after returning from Los Angeles with vinyl records and VHS tapes.
- The music video for *Thick Skin* was filmed at the colonial-era Werribee Mansion in Victoria.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Baker Boy dedicated his Album of the Year win to his late grandmother, who inspired his father and uncle to form the 1980s dance duo the Baker Boys.
- Saltwater Band’s induction was praised for their three-decade legacy of blending traditional Yolŋu song with reggae, ska, and contemporary music.
- Baker Boy wrote *Thick Skin* following the Voice to Parliament referendum, describing a 'brick wall' moment that compelled him to speak out.
- Baker Boy’s father and uncle formed the Baker Boys in the 1980s.
- Baker Boy’s album *Djandjay* features deeper lyrical themes and a heavier sound compared to his debut.
- Baker Boy’s grandmother is credited with bringing hip-hop to Arnhem Land after her Los Angeles honeymoon.
- Baker Boy was featured on triple j’s *Like A Version* earlier this year.
- Drifting Clouds spoke with triple j unearthed last month about writing music to reflect life in his homeland.
- Birdz and Fred Leone combined Birdz’s hip-hop sounds with Fred Leone’s Butchulla songman style for their EP *GIRA*.
- Baker Boy’s album *Djandjay* touches on topics like the Voice referendum, impostor syndrome, and systemic racism.
- Drifting Clouds describes himself as 'the most chill band from Arnhem Land'.
- The Bulman School’s winning song *Lok Lok Mah Burarr* explains a Dreamtime story about reptilian patterns.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Baker Boy’s album *Djandjay* marks an evolution from his 2021 debut *Gela*, while the ABC does not explicitly mention *Gela* but describes *Djandjay* as an evolution from his 'Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land' sound.
- The Guardian specifies Baker Boy’s grandmother brought hip-hop to Arnhem Land in the 1980s, while the ABC does not mention the 1980s but confirms she brought hip-hop after her Los Angeles honeymoon.
Source Articles
National Indigenous Music awards 2026: Baker Boy wins big, including album and song of the year
Yolŋu hip-hop artist dominates, while Butchulla duo and cousins Birdz and Fred Leone win artist of the year and Drifting Clouds takes home best new talent Baker Boy has won album, song and film clip of the year at the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards (Nimas) , paying tribute to his late grandmother who his album Djandjay is named for. The Yolŋu hip-hop artist, whose name is Danzal Baker, won three awards for his sophomore album Djandjay , including song of the year and film clip of the year
Baker Boy wins big at NIMAs
The National Indigenous Music Awards winners have been announced, with territory talent Baker Boy winning big.