Baker Boy was the biggest winner at the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), taking home three major honors at a celebration of Indigenous music, language and culture in Darwin.
The Yolŋu rapper claimed Album of the Year for his second studio album DJANDJAY, while his collaboration “THICK SKIN” won both Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year.
The 2026 NIMAs ceremony was held on Saturday, August 8, at the Darwin Amphitheater, bringing together artists, musicians and communities from across Australia.
Baker Boy Takes Three Major NIMA Awards
Baker Boy emerged as the night’s dominant artist, winning three of the ceremony’s biggest prizes.
His album DJANDJAY was named Album of the Year, marking another major achievement for the Darwin-born artist following the success of his debut album Gela.
His song “THICK SKIN” also delivered a double victory. The track, featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel, won both:
- Song of the Year
- Film Clip of the Year
Baker Boy performed “THICK SKIN” during the ceremony and surprised the audience by bringing Emma Donovan onstage to join him for the performance.
Birdz and Fred Leone Named Artist of the Year
Cousins Birdz and Fred Leone won the prestigious Artist of the Year award.
The duo received their first NIMA for their debut EP GIRA, adding another major milestone to their musical careers.
Their win also highlighted the importance of collaboration, family and cultural storytelling within Australia’s Indigenous music scene.
Drifting Clouds Wins Best New Talent
Emerging act Drifting Clouds took home the Best New Talent award.
The honor recognizes the next generation of Indigenous musicians making an impact and building their presence within Australia’s music industry.
Community and Indigenous Language Awards
The 2026 NIMAs also celebrated music and storytelling at the community level.
Northern Peninsula Area won Community Clip of the Year for “All The Way From The NPA.”
Meanwhile, Bulman School & Community received the Indigenous Language Award for “LOK LOK MAH BURARR” (Lizard & Goanna).
These awards recognize the role music and visual storytelling play in preserving Indigenous languages, culture and community connections.
Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band Enter NIMAs Hall of Fame
Two important names in Indigenous Australian music were also honored during the ceremony.
Blues musician Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band from Elcho Island were inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame.
The evening concluded with a tribute to Saltwater Band, giving the ceremony an emotional closing moment and celebrating the band’s lasting contribution to Indigenous music.
MusicNT’s Mark Smith praised the event for bringing together artists and communities from across the country.
He highlighted the evening’s celebration of family, culture and the extraordinary music being produced in Australia, from the opening performance by the Red Flag Dancers through to the Hall of Fame tribute.
Who Is Baker Boy?
Born Danzal Baker in Darwin, Baker Boy was raised in the Arnhem Land communities of Milingimbi and Maningrida.
He became widely recognized as a pioneering Indigenous rapper who brought Yolŋu Matha-language hip-hop to a mainstream Australian audience.
His breakthrough came in 2017, when he won triple j’s Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards competition.
That same year, his singles “Cloud 9” and “Marryuna” both appeared in the triple j Hottest 100, helping introduce his music to an even wider audience.
Baker Boy’s career continued to grow rapidly. He was named Young Australian of the Year in 2019 and received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2021.
His debut album, Gela, released in 2021, became another major milestone. At the 2022 ARIA Awards, the album earned Baker Boy five wins from seven nominations.
DJANDJAY is his second studio album and now adds another major achievement to his growing list of honors.
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2026 NIMAs Full Winners List
Here is the complete list of winners from the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Artist of the Year | Birdz and Fred Leone |
| Best New Talent | Drifting Clouds |
| Album of the Year | Baker Boy – DJANDJAY |
| Song of the Year | Baker Boy – “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel |
| Film Clip of the Year | Baker Boy – “THICK SKIN” feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel |
| Community Clip of the Year | Northern Peninsula Area – “All The Way From The NPA” |
| Indigenous Language Award | Bulman School & Community – “LOK LOK MAH BURARR” (Lizard & Goanna) |
| Hall of Fame | Marlene Cummins, Saltwater Band |
Why Baker Boy’s 2026 NIMA Wins Matter
Baker Boy’s three-award haul represents more than a successful night for one artist. His achievements demonstrate the growing visibility of Indigenous Australian music, language and storytelling on major stages.
Winning Album of the Year alongside Song and Film Clip of the Year also shows the breadth of his artistic work — from recording and songwriting to visual storytelling and live performance.
For an artist who helped bring Yolŋu Matha-language rap to mainstream audiences, the 2026 NIMAs provide another significant chapter in Baker Boy’s career.