Baker Boy, Drifting Clouds Lead 2026 NIMAs Shortlist

Baker Boy, 3% and Jem Cassar-Daley will duke it out 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, Aug. 8 at Darwin Amphitheatre.

Also making the shortlist for artist of the year, the top category on the night, is Birdz and Fred Leone, BUMPY, Miss Kaninna and South Summit.

Baker Boy (real name: Danzal Baker), a multiple ARIA Award winner, has chances for album of the year (Djandjay), film clip of the year and song of the year (“THICK SKIN” featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel), and will perform on the night.

Meanwhile, Drifting Clouds, the rising talent from northeast Arnhem Land who blends ancient songlines with dreamy ‘80s synth-pop, is up for best new talent, plus best song and best video clip for “Bawuypawuy.”

There’s a brace of nominations for Cassar-Daley, winner of two awards at the 2026 QMAs, and the daughter of beloved Aussie country star Troy Cassar-Daley. The Queensland singer and songwriter is nominated in the NIMAs song of the year category for “Front Left Pocket,” while hip-hop act 3% doubles-up with a film clip of the year nod for “Our Greats.”

Emma Donovan, Trials and Stiff Gins are among the 24 artists nominated for this year’s NIMAs, which takes place during a week-long celebration of First Nations excellence, alongside the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), running Aug. 5–11.

“2026 National Indigenous Music Awards nominees represent an extraordinary diverse showcase of the incredible talent shaping First Nations music today. This year’s list is one of our strongest yet, celebrating artists who are pushing creative boundaries, sharing powerful stories and continuing to inspire audiences across this country,” comments Catherine Satour, chairperson of Music NT, the trade association that organizes the annual ceremony.

“Congratulations to every finalist, looking forward to honoring your achievements together on Larrakia Country in August.” 

2026 NIMAs Categories:

Artist Of The Year
3%
Baker Boy
Birdz and Fred Leone
BUMPY
Jem Cassar-Daley
Miss Kaninna
South Summit

Best New Talent
Drifting Clouds – “Bawuypawuy”
Inkabee
Jet Cameron
Say True God?
Dallas Woods, Nooky, Fred Leone, RIAH & Soju Gang – “Voices of Resistance”
Zipporah – “Some Typa Way”

Album Of The Year
Baker Boy – Djandjay
Birdz & Fred Leone – GIRA
Emma Donovan – Take Me to The River
Say True God? – BLAK
Stiff Gins – Crossroads
Trials – Hendle
 
Film Clip Of The Year
3% – “Our Greats”
Baker Boy – “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & 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)
K2 the B and CJR – “Barunga”
Mossman Gorge – “Yundu Bama Yalada”
Mossman Mob – “Still Believing”
Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) – “All The Way From The NPA”
Wujal Wujal – “Rainforest to the Sea”

Song Of The Year
Baker Boy – “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel
Birdz & Fred Leone – “Wanya Nyin Yanmanj”
Drifting Clouds – “Bawuypawuy”
Jem Cassar-Daley – “Front Left Pocket”
Yung Maynie – “Always Was”
ZIPPORAH – “Some Typa Way”

2026 Live Performance Lineup
Baker Boy
BIG NOTER
Bumpy
Casii Williams
Electric Fields
South Summit
Stiff Gins
Zipporah