Yolngu hip-hop sensation Baker Boy has swept this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards, winning big with his single ‘Meditjin’.
The rapper nabbed the big Artist of the Year gong, as well as bagging the awards for Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year during the two-hour ceremony on Saturday night, which was moved online due to COVID-19.
Accepting his award live from Bendigo, Baker Boy – real name Danzal Baker – paid tribute to other First Nations artists in his thank you speech.
“Woah, my heart! This is crazy,” he reacted.
“I honestly didn’t think I could win at all tonight, but I just want to say to all the nominees tonight across all of the categories; you are incredible, you are amazing and I am so proud of you all, my brothers and sisters.
“To my family back in Darwin across Arnhem Land, I’m so proud to represent my people and so overwhelmed by the support and success I have achieved rapping in Yolgnu Matha and English.”
Elsewhere, Uncle Archie Roach was awarded Album of the Year for his Tell Me Why LP. While his wife, Ruby Hunter, was posthumously inducted into the NIMA Hall of Fame.
Catch the full list of 2020 NIMA’s winners below!
2020 NIMA Award Winners
Artist of the Year
Baker Boy – WINNER
Electric Fields
Emily Wurramara
Jessica Mauboy
Mau Power
Thelma Plum
Album of the Year
Archie Roach – Tell Me Why – WINNER
Jessica Mauboy – Hilda
Mau Power – Blue Lotus The Awakening
Miiesha – Nyaaringu
Ray Dimakarri Dixon – Standing Strong Mudburra Man
Song of the Year
Alice Skye – I Feel Better But I Don’t Feel Good
Baker Boy ft. Jess B – Meditjin – WINNER
Briggs ft. Tim Minchin – House Fyre
Electric Fields & Keiino – Would I Lie
Kee’ahn – Better Things
Thelma Plum – Homecoming Queen
New Talent of the Year
Allara
Dallas Woods
Kee’ahn
Miiesha – WINNER
Mitch Tambo
Film Clip of the Year
Baker Boy ft. Jess B – Meditjin – WINNER
Briggs ft. Tim Minchin – House Fyre
Dallas Woods – If It Glitters It’s Gold
Miiesha – Drowning
Tasman Keith – Billy Bad Again
Community Music Clip
Booningbah Goories
Bwgcolman Mob
Githabul Next Generation
Iron Range Danger Gang
KDA Crew – WINNER
Ntaria Connect
Indigenous Language Award
Rrawun Maymuru & Nick Wales – Nyapililngu (Spirit Lady) – WINNER
Stuart Nugget – Nayurni (Woman)
