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Baker Boy, The Kid Laroi and Sycco shine in National Indigenous Music Awards nominations

8 July 2021 | 9:00 am | Parry Tritsiniotis

The Kid LAROI, Sycco, and Baker Boy, leading the way, each with three nominations at the National Indigenous Music Awards.

On August the 7th, the Darwin Amphitheatre will host Australia's premier First Nations music event the National Indigenous Music Awards. The event celebrates the extraordinary musical talent and output of First Nations musical stars. Today, the 2021 finalists have been revealed, with The Kid LAROI, Sycco, and Baker Boy, leading the way, each with three nominations.

From heavy metal to hip-hop, pop, and folk, this year’s nominees prove First Nations music refuses to be pigeonholed and is making its mark on the world stage. Next to the already mentioned big 3, are two time finalists Birdz and Miiesha and Tia Gostelow and first time NIMA nominees Budjerah, J-MILLA, King Stingray, and Chasing Ghosts.

NIMAs’ Creative Director Ben Graetz stated, “This year, as we focus on healing and reflection, we have the wonderful opportunity to reconnect as a community to discover and celebrate the magic of music from both up-and-coming and established First Nation artists,”

“The finalists are some of the most talented musicians across the country and the world, and we are proud to be able to provide a platform for their musical craft to be recognised.”

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The night will be hosted by comedian Steven Oliver and will be broadcasted via NITV, Double J, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter on August the 7th.

Full 2021 National Indigenous Music Awards finalists:

Artist of the Year

Sycco

Birdz

Miiesha

Baker Boy

The Kid LAROI

Jessica Mauboy

Album of the Year

Tia Gostelow - Chrysalis

The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love

Leah Flanagan - Colour by Number

Made For This - JK-47

Benny Walker - Chosen Line

Song of the Year

Baker Boy, Dallas Woods, Sampa The Great - Better Days

Birdz - Bagi-la-m Bargan

Miiesha - Damaged

The Kid LAROI - Without You

Sycco - Dribble

New Talent of the Year

J-MILLA

Beddy Rays

King Stingray

Budjerah

Chasing Ghosts

Film Clip of the Year

Budjerah - Higher

Baker Boy - Ride ft. Yirrmal

Troy Cassar-Daley - Back On Country

Sycco - My Ways

Tia Gostelow - Two Lovers

Community Clip of the Year

Kakadu Collective and Victor Rostron - Mayali

Dunghutti community in South West Rocks - Fig

Tree Mob - 'Barrunba (Dreaming)'

Gunbalanya School - Stories of the Land

Gunbalanya School - Talk About Emotions

Students of Peppimenarti School - Stand Strong

Indigenous Language Award of the Year

Guwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahii - The Djari Project

Shellie Morris and Jason Durrurrnga - Dharuk Gurtha

Garrangali Band - Tongues of the Fire

Stuart Joel Nuggett - I Am That Man/Ngaaya-Baaya

Stuart Joel Nuggett - Monsoon/Kuyubulu

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