Gurrumul Is The 2022 NIMA Hall Of Fame Inductee

The National Indigenous Music Awards will pay tribute to Australian music legend Gurrumul at this Saturday's NIMA ceremony in Darwin, simulcast on NITV and SBS VICELAND from 7:30pm and will be available to stream on SBS On Demand.

The night will feature a massive lineup of Australian talent, with performances by Thelma Plum, King Stingray, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Birdz & Fred Leone, Yirrmal, J-MILLA and the Red Flag Dancers. The NIMAs also welcome Noongar woman and triple j Unearthed winner Bumpy who will be bringing her soulful sounds of loss, joy and connection to the awards stage for the very first time, while a special tribute to Archie Roach will is also expected. 

On Sunday from 5 pm, Blak Out will broadcast a wrap of the country’s biggest First Nations music event simulcast across triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed. Host Nooky will be live from Larrakia country catching up with the winners and performances from the ceremony, as well as all the not to be missed backstage antics.

Gurrumul will be inducted into the NIMA Hall Of Fame at the 2022 ceremony, with the Internationally acclaimed Yolŋu singer and songwriter's life and career to be celebrated throughout the night. Saltwater Band co-founder Manuel Dhurrkay will perform a heartfelt tribute to Gurrumul as part of the ceremony. 

Gurrumul’s legacy will also be honoured this Thursday with the first Darwin performance of his critically acclaimed Buŋgul, a live celebration featuring the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. The event will commemorate his life, culture and final masterpiece Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow) which was the first album in an Indigenous language to chart at #1. 

Gurrumul’s induction will also be celebrated with an exhibit at Melbourne’s Australian Music Vault from this Friday with an essay penned by award-winning journalist Tracee Hutchison. Previous inducteeds include Warumpi Band, Archie Roach, Roger Knox, Kev Carmody and Yothu Yindi. 

Leading this year’s NIMA finalist list is BARKAA, the Malyangapa and Barkindji woman and fast-rising star with four NIMA nominations. Known for her hard-hitting rap tracks, BARKAA has earned candidacy for her songs King Brown and Black Matriarchy, and the title of New Talent of the Year. Following with three nominations Yolngu man Baker Boy for his debut album, Gela, and its track My Mind. He’s also up for Artist of the Year. 

Amongst the brightest lights in Australian music, the nominee list also includes previous finalists and winners The Kid Laroi, Jessica Mauboy, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Miiesha, Mo Ju, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Birdz, Dallas Woods, Archie Roach, Tasman Keith and Tilly Tjala Thomas. 

Jem Cassar-Daley, Lil Kootsie, Dobby and dameeeela are receiving their first-ever nominations. 

Head of Entertainment, Events & Creative, NITV, Adam Manovic said, “The NIMAs play an incredibly important role in championing emerging artists and honouring legends in the First Nations music community. We’re proud to once again support this incredible music event and share the biggest and brightest First Nations talents Australia-wide with our broadcast. “We’re excited for the return of the live event this year, and look forward to sharing this with all corners of the country on both NITV and SBS VICELAND. The NIMAs are an integral part of our Music/Arts event slate at NITV – and – Music is culture, and culture is culture, the foundation of all First Nations storytelling." 

The NIMAs are an NITV production simulcast on NITV and SBS VICELAND on Saturday 6 August. LIVE at 7:30pm AEST and will be available to stream on SBS On Demand.