The countdown to this year's National Indigenous Music Awards is officially on, with the 2026 nominees recognising some of the country's most exciting First Nations artists.
Returning to the Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country on Saturday, August 8, the annual awards celebrate excellence across First Nations music, spotlighting established names alongside emerging talent shaping Australia's musical landscape.
Leading this year's nominations is Baker Boy, who appears across five categories, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for DJANDJAY, and Song of the Year for 'THICK SKIN', his collaboration with Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn and Jada Weazel.
Announcing the finalists, MusicNT executive director Catherine Satour said this year's nominees reflect the diversity of First Nations music in Australia, highlighting artists who continue to push creative boundaries and tell powerful stories.
Below, find the full list of nominees for the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards.
Artist of the Year
- 3%
- Baker Boy
- Birdz and Fred Leone
- BUMPY
- Jem Cassar-Daley
- Miss Kaninna
- South Summit
Best New Talent
- Drifting Clouds
- INKABEE
- Jet Cameron
- Say True God
- Voices of Resistance
- Zipporah
Album of the Year
- Baker Boy — DJANDJAY
- Birdz & Fred Leone — GIRA
- Say True God — BLAK
- Emma Donovan — Take Me to The River
- Stiff Gins — Crossroads
- Trials — hendle
Film Clip of the Year
- 3% — 'Our Greats'
- Baker Boy — 'THICK SKIN' featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn and Jada Weazel
- Birdz & Fred Leone — 'Wanya Nyin Yanmanj'
- Drifting Clouds — 'Bawuypawuy'
- Kobie Dee — 'Aim For The Stars'
- South Summit — 'Top of the Hill'
Community Clip of the Year
- Bulman School & Community — 'LOK LOK MAH BURARR (Lizard & Goanna)'
- Geraldton TIS - 'Barndi Yarraly' (Vaping is Vicious, Not Delicious)
- Mossman Gorge — 'Yundu Bama Yalada'
- Northern Peninsula Area — 'All The Way From The NPA'
- Mossman Mob — 'Still Believing'
- Wujal Wujal — 'Rainforest to the Sea'
- K2 the B and CJR - 'Barunga'
Song of the Year
- Baker Boy — 'THICK SKIN' featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn and Jada Weazel
- Birdz & Fred Leone — 'Wanya Nyin Yanmanj'
- Drifting Clouds — 'Wanya Nyin Yanmanj'
- Jem Cassar-Daley — 'Front Left Pocket'
- Yung Maynie — 'Always Was'
- Zipporah — 'Some Typa Way'
