Emily Wurramara wins Artist of the Year at 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards
Jessica Mauboy and Troy Cassar-Daley led a star-studded line-up of performers, as the country's top First Nations musical acts were recognised by their peers on Larrakia country in Darwin.
Mauboy was also inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame during the ceremony, joining the likes of Australian musical legends from Yothu Yindi to Ruby Hunter.
Wurramara also won the Music Clip of the Year Award for her sultry, hypnotic track Lordy Lordy featuring Tasman Keith, shot on Larrakia country and Gadigal country.
The track, which she wrote in the wake of the 2023 Voice referendum, features Red Flag dancers from Numbulwar, NT.
It's been a huge year for the artist, who released her second studio album NARA in August and became the first Indigenous woman to win Best Contemporary Album at the 2024 ARIAs.
Eight-piece Yolŋu funk outfit, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band — named for its Galpu clan lead singer — was also amongst the night's big winners, taking out Best New Talent and Song of the Year for Once Upon a Time.
Gurruwiwi, aged in his 50s, turned to music after losing his sight in an accident in 1998, and now mentors young Yolŋu musicians in the region.
Last year's Artist of the Year winner, Malyangapa and Barkindji hip hop talent BARKAA took out Album of the Year for her second album Big Tidda, which celebrates her resilience and determination triumphing over an ice addiction and jail time.
Just days ago, BARKAA's mother Cleonie Quayle won a National Indigenous Fashion Award in Darwin for a dress she made for BARKAA's We Up music video, which symbolised her recovery journey.
The Bulman School and surrounding community, which were nominated for three songs in the category of Community Clip of the Year, won for their track Crocodile Style.
It's the second year in a row the Northern Territory community has taken out the award.
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