Baker Boy has won album, song and film clip of the year at the ۲۰۲۶ National Indigenous Music Awards (Nimas), paying tribute to his late grandmother who his album Djandjay is named for.
The Yolŋu hip-hop artist, whose name is Danzal Baker, won three awards for his sophomore album Djandjay, including song of the year and film clip of the year for its hit single Thick Skin, which features Indigenous artists Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel.
Djandjay marks an evolution from Baker’s ۲۰۲۱ debut Gela, delivering deeper lyrical themes and a heavier sound.
“[Djangdjay] has the lyricism, the play on words, the whole thing,” he told Guardian Australia backstage at the Nimas. “I would say the persona and the whole blak look has a very staunch feel and that vulnerability as well.”
Accepting album of the year, Baker dedicated the honour to his late grandmother, who he credits with bringing hip-hop to Arnhem Land after returning from a Los Angeles honeymoon with vinyl records and VHS tapes. These inspired his father and uncle to form ۱۹۸۰s dance duo the Baker Boys.
“She was the reason that I have confidence and have no shame to be able to get out there and express my feelings, and who I am and where I come from,” Baker said.
Baker told Guardian Australia he wrote Thick Skin, which won song and film clip of the year, following the Voice to Parliament referendum.
“I was in the middle of working on the album and there was like a brick wall that was happening right in front of me… I had to speak my voice,” he said.
The music video was filmed at the colonial-era Werribee Mansion in Victoria. “Filming somewhere with that colonialism, taking back that authority and giving a ‘this is my house’ vibe,” Baker told Guardian Australia. “It’s about POC [people of colour] and Blak excellence – having white butlers and flipping that sort of feel.”
Artist of the year was awarded to Butchulla duo Birdz and Fred Leone. The cousins – rapper Birdz and songman Leone – released a joint six-track EP titled GIRA in ۲۰۲۵.
“I grew up in Katherine and this territory really shaped me and inspires me still today. So, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Birdz said, accepting the award with Leone by his side.
Yolŋu musician Drifting Clouds, whose name is Terry Guyula, took home best new talent. Known for his synth-driven tracks with Yolŋu Matha lyrics, Guyula accepted the award alongside producer and bandmate Zac Terry, who Guyula thanked for “bringing me out from the bush to the city.”
Guguyelandji and Woppaburra jazz and blues musician Marlene Cummins and Galiwin’ku’s Saltwater Band were inducted into the Nimas Hall of Fame, joining the likes of Jessica Mauboy and Yothu Yindi.
Baker Boy told Guardian Australia he was “very proud” to see Saltwater Band inducted, having grown up listening to them, saying: “When I was a kid on the island, they would come perform and I’d be up there dancing.”
Mauboy presented Saltwater Band with their award, praising their three-decade legacy of blending traditional Yolŋu song with reggae, ska and contemporary music.
“It fills me with pride to celebrate music from the Northern Territory,” Mauboy said. “Saltwater Band created a sound that was completely their own… they showed artists like me and so many young people watching that you never have to leave your culture to chase your dreams. You can carry it with you.”
Full list of ۲۰۲۶ Nima winners
Artist of the year: Birdz and Fred Leone
Best new talent: Drifting Clouds
Album of the year: Baker Boy – Djandjay
Song of the year: Baker Boy – Thick Skin (feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel)
Film clip of the year: Baker Boy – Thick Skin (feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel)
Community clip of the year: Northern Peninsula Area – All The Way From The NPA
Indigenous language award: Bulman School & Community – Lok Lok Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna)
Hall of fame inductions: Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band
