After much anticipation the 2016 National Indigenous Music Awards winners have been announced, with the likes of Gurrumul Yunupingu, Briggs, and newcomer Gawurra taking home the night’s biggest awards.
For the fifth year running Gurrumul Yunupingu took home the Artist of the Year award, while newcomer Gawurra took home the coveted Album of the Year as well as the New Talent of the Year, Cover Art, and Film Clip awards.
Song of the Year was awarded to Shepparton artist Briggs for his work with Gurrumul and Dewayne Everettsmith on ‘The Children Came Back’. Briggs stated he wanted to “Pay respect, a tip of the hat, a homage to Archie Roach” with the song.
The Community Music Clip award went to the Ngukurr Community for ‘Break the Silence’, while Traditional Song of the Year went to ‘Two Sisters Journey’ by Ishmael Marika. Kutcha Edwards took home the Hall of Fame honours this year.
Also announced at NIMA for the first time this year was the best Unearthed High entry from an Indigenous artist with Tia Gostelow taking home the inaugural award. The entire event was filmed by NITV for a special two-hour long program to be aired on 20th August.
2016 National Indigenous Music Award Winners
Artist of the Year
Gurrumul Yunupingu
Album of the Year
Gawurra
Song of the Year
The Children Came Back – Briggs
Written by Gurrumul Yunupingu, Archie Roach, Corey McGregor, James Mangohig and Adam Briggs
Performed by Briggs, Dewayne Everettsmith & Gurrumul
New Talent of the Year
Gawurra
Cover Art
Ratja Yaliyali – Gawurra
DESIGNER: Jalyay JAJA Thompson
Film Clip
Ratja Yaliyali – Gawurra
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER: Pippa Samaya
Community Music Clip
Break The Silence
Ngukurr Community, Indigenous Hip Hop Projects, White Ribbon
Traditional Song of the Year
Two Sisters Journey
Ishmael Marika
Hall of Fame
Kutcha Edwards
