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2022 NIMAs – Winners and Highlights

The stars came out at Darwin Amphitheatre for the 2022 National Indigenous Music Awards.

Last Saturday night the 2022 National Indigenous Music Awards were live and back on Larrakia Country for a powerful and moving celebration of First Nations talent.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the awards ceremony was back with a bang. This year the event was hosted by Steven Oliver, a descendant of the Kukuyalanji, Waanyi, Gangalidda, Woppaburra, Bundjalung and Biripi peoples, and featured incredible performances by J-MILLAYirrimalKing Stingray and many more.

Emma Donovan and the Putbacks and Fred Leone paired up to honour the late great Archie Roach in an emotional rendition of Archie’s iconic track “We Won’t Cry”. They were joined on stage by a host of First Nations artists in front of a teary crowd to celebrate the legacy of a powerhouse musician, storyteller and philanthropist whose imprint has already spanned generations and will continue to do so.

Baker Boy takes two- His 9th NIMA in just 5 years. 

Yolŋu sensation, Baker Boy, was the night’s biggest winner, taking home Album of the Year for his galvanizing debut album Gela, and was named for the coveted 2022 Artist Of The Year award.

Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman Jem Cassar-Daley was named Best New Talent following the release of her 2021 debut EP I Don’t Know Who To Call

Yolngu surf-rock band King Stingray received the coveted Song of the Year award for their single, ‘Milkumana,’ which signals the kind of success projected for their debut album, released on Friday.

Dobby, the Murrawarri/Filipino multi-instrumentalist rapper and producer took home the Archie Roach Foundation Award, recognising his achievements and supporting his growth as an artist.

Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper Barkaa’s powerful King Brown was recognised as Film Clip Of The Year. 

And Indigenous Outreach Projects earned Community Clip of the Year for their stunning production for Loud and Proud.

Gurrumul enters the NIMA’s Hall of Fame

Just 48 hours before the awards ceremony thousands flocked to Darwin Amphitheatre for Buŋgul, a stunning and innovative performance by Yolŋu dancers and songmen, and Darwin Symphony Orchestra, celebrating Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s extraordinary final album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)

Gurrumul was honoured with a performance from his brother and Saltwater Band co-founder Manuel Dhurrkay as he was officially inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame on Saturday evening.

National Indigenous Music Awards Winners 2022

Artist of the Year

Baker Boy

Album of the Year

Baker Boy – Gela

New Talent of the Year

Jem Cassar-Daley

Song of the Year

King Stingray – Milkumana

Song Writers: Roy Kellaway / Gotjirringu Jerome Yunipingu

Film Clip of the Year

Barkaa – King Brown

Directed & Produced by: Sonder Films

Executive Producer: Vyva Entertainment

Community Clip of the Year

Numbulwar, NT – Loud & Proud

Directors & Producers: Indigenous Outreach Projects

/Matthew Mastratisi /Franceska Fusha / Lesley Phillips/Jordan O’Davis

Numbulwar Community & School

Hall of Fame

Gurrumul

Archie Roach Foundation Award

Dobby

 

Images: Paz Tassone