| National Indigenous Music Awards 2021 | |
| Venue: | Darwin Amphitheatre Northern Territory, Australia |
| Host: | Steven Oliver |
| Network: | National Indigenous Television |
| Most Nominations: | Baker Boy, Sycco, The Kid Laroi (3) |
| Previous: | 2020 |
| Next: | 2022 |
The National Indigenous Music Awards 2021 were the forthcoming 18th annual National Indigenous Music Awards. They were scheduled to occur on 8 August 2021 at the Darwin Amphitheatre[1] however on 28 July 2021, were postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[2] On 11 October 2021, it was announced the NIMAs have partnered with triple j and its First Nations show, Blak Out to create a two-hour special on 14 November 2021.[3]
Creative Director Ben Graetz said "2021 will bring the event to Australia across many platforms, led by our long-time partners NITV, while creating a special night of connection under the stars here on Larrakia Country."[4]
The nominees were announced on 8 July 2021.[5]
Performers announced to perform as of May 2021,[6]
The nominations and winners[7]
Artist of the Year
| Artist | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Sycco | ||
| Birdz | ||
| Miiesha | ||
| Baker Boy | ||
| The Kid Laroi | ||
| Jessica Mauboy |
New Talent of the Year
| Artist | Result |
|---|---|
| J-MILLA | |
| Beddy Rays | |
| King Stingray | |
| Budjerah | |
| Chasing Ghosts | |
Album of the Year
| Artist and album | Result |
|---|---|
| Tia Gostelow – Chrysalis | |
| The Kid Laroi – F*ck Love | |
| Leah Flanagan – Colour by Number | |
| Made for This – JK-47 | |
| Benny Walker – Chosen Line | |
Film Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
|---|---|
| Baker Boy featuring Yirrmal– "Ride" | |
| Troy Cassar-Daley – "Back On Country" | |
| Sycco – "My Ways" | |
| Tia Gostelow – "Two Lovers" | |
Song of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
|---|---|
| Baker Boy, Dallas Woods & Sampa The Great – "BetterDays" | |
| Birdz – "Bagi-la-m Bargan" | |
| Miiesha – "Damaged" | |
| The Kid Laroi – "Without You" | |
| Sycco – "Dribble" | |
Community Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result |
|---|---|
| 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
| Artist and song | Result |
|---|---|
| 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" | |