Baker Boy takes Young Australian of the Year, Electric Fields wow audiences in Eurovision: Australia decides and Thelma Plum delivers a much anticipated hit new song; needless to say, it's been a massive year for Indigenous music.
Nominations for the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) are now open, signalling the beginning of the sixteenth year, celebrating Australian First Nations' talent on a major music platform.
The nominations are an opportunity for the public to put forward a popular artist or song, album or Community Clip released in the last 12 months, to receive the prestigious music award.
Originally named the NT Indigenous Music Awards in 2004, the National Indigenous Music Awards was established in 2009 and held at the Darwin amphitheatre every year.
In an exciting first, nominators can find newly released Indigenous music from the recently launched . 
“Whether it is acknowledging greats of the past or discovering the talent of the future, the NIMAs continue to hold an important place in the Australian music calendar for both recognition and discovery of First Nations talent,” National Indigenous Music Awards Reference Group Chair Warren H. Williams said in a statement.
Briggs NIMA's 2018 Source: SGC Media
“The event continues to evolve and cement its relevance across the year to show Australia the wide range of amazing music that Indigenous people contribute to Australia’s musical canon.”
Last year the NIMAs saw performances by Baker Boy, Busby Marou, Hall of Fame inductee Roger Knox and offered a thoughtful recognition of the late Indigenous music legend Gurrumul, who was awarded Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
Judging of the National Indigenous Music Awards is split this year, with 50 per cent of votes coming from a panel of prominent Indigenous Australians and community leaders and 50 per cent from a panel of Indigenous and non- Indigenous media and music industry representatives.
Baker Boy with famly - NIMA's 2018 Source: SCG Media
