King Stingray continued its golden run with a brace of wins on the 2023 Nationwide Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), held Saturday (Feb. 12) at Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Nation.
Shaped in Northeast Arnhem Land, the Stingers, as they’re lovingly recognized in these elements, snagged tune of the yr and movie clip of the yr each for “Let’s Go,” changing two-of-two nominations.
Earlier within the month, the Yolngu surf-rockers dominated the 2023 AIR Awards with three trophies, including to a group that features the Michael Gudinski breakthrough artist, greatest new artist on the 2022 Rolling Stone Australia Awards, first-prize within the Vanda & Younger International Songwriting Competitors, and the 2022 Australian Music Prize.
Additionally on the 2023 NIMAs, Budjerah received the coveted artist of the yr class, including to his personal spectacular haul. The rising singer and songwriter from Fingal Head, New South Wales, was the inaugural winner of the Michael Gudinski prize on the 2021 ARIAs, he has additionally collected greatest new artist on the 2023 RS Awards and, in 2022, received his first APRA Award for many carried out R&B/soul work of the yr (“Greater” with Matt Corby).
Queensland singer and songwriter Thelma Plum scooped the album of the yr NIMA for Meanjin, whereas the Indigenous language award was bestowed to conventional songman Ngulmiya for his self-titled debut album.
One of many evening’s excellent moments belonged to Yothu Yindi, because the “Treaty” singers have been inducted into the NIMAs Corridor of Fame for his or her “lengthy and highly effective contributions to Indigenous and Australian music throughout a number of a long time,” reads an announcement from organizers.
Through the induction ceremony, the band’s authentic lineup, together with King Stingray vocalist Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu, nephew of the late Dr M Yunupiŋu, took to the stage for a rocking rendition of their signature tune.
Performers on the night included Kobie Dee, Dean Brady, Plum, Barkaa, Ngulmiya and Budjerah and the Crimson Flag Dancers.
“So happy with all of the artists, performers, nominees and winners at this yr’s NIMAs,” feedback NIMA artistic director Ben Graetz. “It was an distinctive evening of Blak excellence.”
An initiative of commerce physique MusicNT, the NIMAs, now in its nineteenth yr, are a celebration of the “best celebration of First Nations music”.
Learn extra right here.
2023 Nationwide Indigenous Music Awards Winners
Artist of the Yr — Budjerah
New Expertise of the Yr — Bumpy
Movie Clip of the Yr — King Stingray, “Let’s Go”
Track of the Yr — King Stingray, “Let’s Go”
Album of the Yr — Thelma Plum, Meanjin
Neighborhood Clip of the Yr — Wildfire Manwurrk, “Mararradj”
Indigenous Language Award — Ngulmiya, Self-Titled
Corridor of Fame — Yothu Yindi
Archie Roach Basis Award — Wildfire Manwurrk
