| National Indigenous Music Awards 2018 | |
| Venue: | The Amphitheatre Botanical Gardens, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Network: | National Indigenous Television |
| Most Wins: | Gurrumul (3) |
| Most Nominations: | Gurrumul, Baker Boy (3) |
| Previous: | 2017 |
| Next: | 2019 |
The National Indigenous Music Awards 2018 were the 15th annual National Indigenous Music Awards.
The nominations were announced on 9 July 2018 and the awards ceremony was held on 11 August 2018.[1] [2]
2018 was seen as a strong year for Indigenous music with an ARIA number 1 album, national tours, Eurovision Song Contest performance appearances, Triple J Hottest 100, 2018 placements and acts playing festivals across the country.[2] The 2018 National Indigenous Music Awards saw a growth in both audience and nominations.[3]
NIMA Reference Group Chair Warren H. Williams said "The growth in the National Indigenous Music Awards has mirrored the growth of Indigenous music more generally over the last fifteen years. As our musicians have continued their journey of taking their rightful place at the forefront of Australian music, the awards have been there not just to celebrate their successes, but to be a launching pad for new talent and discovery vehicle for musicians, whether they are from Darwin, Devonport, Derby, Dubbo or the Daintree."[4]
Roger Knox has career spanning over three decades, from his debut album Give It a Go in 1984 to Stranger in My Land in 2013. Australian Music Vault Senior Curator, Carolyn Laffan, said "For more than thirty years Roger's music has brought joy and healing to audiences in remote areas of Australia, in prisons and correctional centres and at festivals across Australia and North America."[5]
Alice Skye is a 22 year old Wergaia and Wamba Wamba woman based in Melbourne. She grew up in the Grampians in country Victoria. Her songwriting often reflects the calming mountain landscape that she calls home.[6] Skye uploaded "Poetry By Text" in November 2017 followed by "Friends with Feelings" in April 2018 onto Triple J Unearthed.[7]
Artist of the Year
| Artist | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| A.B. Original | ||
| Archie Roach | ||
| Electric Fields | ||
| Gurrumul | ||
| Jessica Mauboy |
New Talent of the Year
| Artist | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Skye | ||
| Baker Boy | ||
| Emily Wurramara | ||
| Isaiah Firebrace | ||
| Ziggy Ramo |
Album of the Year
| Artist and album | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Sultan - Killer | ||
| Emily Wurramara - Milyakburra | ||
| Gurrumul - Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) | ||
| Kardajala Kirridarra - Kardajala Kirridarra | ||
| Kuren - Melting Conceptually |
Film Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Skye - "Friends With Feelings" | ||
| Baker Boy - "Marryuna" | ||
| Birdz - "This Side" | ||
| Black Rock Band - "Bininj Kuborrk" | ||
| Jessica Mauboy - "We Got Love" |
Song of the Year
| Artist and song | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Baker Boy - "Marryuna" | ||
| Busby Marou - "Days of Gold" | ||
| Dan Sultan - "Kingdom" | ||
| Gurrumul - "Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)" | ||
| Kardajala Kirridarra - "Ngurra" |
Community Clip of the Year
| Artist and song | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Ali Curung NT - "Bounce With Me" | ||
| B-Town Warriors - "Thundercloud: Bourke" | ||
| Condobolin, NSW: The Condo Crew - "How Ya Feelin'" | ||
| Githabul Next Generation - "Looking Out For Country" | ||
| Mulli Mulli and Yiyili Mawoolie - "Yiyili Kids" |