Jess Mauboy honoured at Indigenous Music Awards

The Darwin Amphitheatre was brimming with talent on Saturday for an awards night showcasing some of Australia’s brightest First Nations artists.

Under a full moon and with dry season in full swing, the 21st National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) attracted a large crowd. Part of the wider Darwin Festival, the awards night is among dozens of artistic events in Australia’s top end in August.

Early in the evening, Emily Wurramara said it was special to receive her first NIMA, collecting the award for film clip of the year for her track Lordy Lordy. But the Warnindhilyagwa singer-songwriter soon claimed her second trophy, besting a talented nomination pool that included Jessica Mauboy and King Stingray to be being crowned artist of the year.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 14 years old, and I’ve had a lot of people tell me that I can’t do what I’ve done. And I went and did it,” Wurramara said. “We are out here in spaces, killing it. We’re smashing it in the industry.”

Wurramara released her sophomore record Nara in 2024, which picked up an ARIA award for best adult contemporary album. Wearing an outfit stitched with slogans promoting climate action on Saturday, she said that she was proud to represent her community through music.

“I just came back from touring Canada, and I played shows among people who were incredible and amazing. But there’s nothing like coming back home and being here and playing for mob, playing for the people,” she said.

Eight-piece funk group Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, the other multiple award winner of the night, picked up trophies for best new talent and song of the year. The band’s frontman and namesake Gurruwiwi is a Yolngu elder, and they sing in his native Yolngu Matha language.

Their winning song Once Upon a Time, released last year, features prominent percussion and brass sounds. The category had several strong contenders, including Kamilaroi artist The Kid Laroi for his track Girls.

Singer Jessica Mauboy was inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame at the ceremony, joining such esteemed artists as Archie Roach, Gurrumul and Yothu Yindi. The space is for First Nations artists who have had a longstanding and significant impact on the industry.

Mauboy, who grew up in Darwin, was emotional on stage in front of a cheering hometown crowd. She thanked her family and friends for their continued support, and acknowledged her childhood music teacher, who died in 2023.

“Judy Weepers, you were a lot more than just a choir teacher. You were the first to teach me about having music structure … you really did shape me,” Mauboy said.

“As I reflect on my career of 21 years being an artist in the music industry, and I can’t help but being taken back to the very beginning … each challenge taught me resilience, from humble beginnings in Darwin to the international stages.”

Malyangapa Barkindji rapper Barkaa won album of the year for her 2024 record BIG TIDDA. A previous NIMA artist of the year, she first rose to prominence in 2020 and has grown to be a mainstay in the Australian rap scene.

The musician feigned disbelief when accepting the award, joking to the audience that the release was only an EP. But she expressed pride and gratitude towards the First Nations community for their support.

“I’m honoured to be nominated alongside my brothers and sisters … When one of us wins, we all win, in the words of Uncle Archie Roach. And I’m proud to be accepting this award,” Barkaa said.

This wasn’t the only mention of the late Gunditjmara and Bundjalung musician. Emma Donovan paid tribute to Roach with a powerful rendition of his song Wash My Soul In The River’s Flow.

“He’s been telling us these stories [since] a long time ago. Always to stay connected to country and to that water. And, more importantly, to the river,” Donovan said.

Gemma Grant travelled to Darwin and was hosted by Darwin Festival, with support by Tourism Australia through the Regional Arts Tourism Package.