National Indigenous Music Awards Announce 2023 Finalists

Budjerah and Wildfire Manwurrk are each up for three gongs, with The Kid Laroi, Mo’Ju, King Stingray and Thelma Plum also among the deep list of nominees

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Image: Left - Budjerah, Right - Wildfire Manwurrk

Ahead of an awards ceremony on August 12 on Larrakia Country at the Darwin Amphitheatre, 22 of Australia’s finest First Nations artists have been announced as nominees for the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards.

Leading the charge this year is ARIA-winning singer songwriter Budjerah who looks to add to his already massive year, that’s seen him tour the country with Ed Sheeran, performed at Grand Central Park in New York and dropped his huge single Therapy, with nominations for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year. Budjerah will also be performing on the night.

Also coming in hot with three nominations are Arnhem Land rockers Wildfire Manwurrk, getting nods for New Talent of the Year, Film Clip of the Year and Community Clip of the Year. “We have walked a long hard road to get here over many years and feel so happy to be recognised for our music at this national level. To be recognised as one of Australia’s important Indigenous voices means everything to us,” say Wildfire Manwurrk.

With this year’s awards to be broadcast on NITV and SBS On Demand on Sunday, August 13 at 7.30pm, check out the full list of nominees below.

2023 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Artist of the Year
Budjerah
Jessica Mauboy
Mo’Ju
Kobie Dee
The Kid Laroi

New Talent of the Year
Bumpy
Royston Noell
Wildfire Manwurrk
Marlon X Rulla
Tjaka

Film Clip of the Year
Wildfire Manwurrk - ‘Lonely Bangardi’
Budjerah - ‘Therapy’
A.B. Original - ‘King Billy Cokebottle’
Thelma Plum - ‘The Brown Snake’
King Stingray - ‘Let’s Go’

Song of the Year
Bumpy - ‘Hide and Seek’
Budjerah - ‘Therapy’
Miiesha - ‘Skin Deep’
King Stingray - ‘Let’s Go’
Yirrmal ft. Dami Im - ‘Promised Land’

Album of the Year
Thelma Plum - Meanjin (EP)
Ngulmiya - Self-titled
Mo’Ju - Oro Plata Mata
Miiesha - Smoke & Mirrors
Beddy Rays - Self-titled

Community Clip of the Year
Wildfire Manwurrk - ‘Mararradj’
Utju Community - ‘Tjamuku Tjukurpa Kanyila’
Lil Youngins - ‘The Problem’
Indigenous Outreach Project w/ Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy, NT ft. Yirrmal - ‘Indigenous Outreach Projects, Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy ft. Yirrmal’
Garrthalala Community - ‘Garrthalala Manikay’
Dunghutti Community in Kempsey NSW - ‘The Black Truth - There’s Still Hope’