Yuin rapper Nooky Webster has been announced as the host for the popular NIMA show for 2021 as COVID restrictions rule out the traditional live concert for the second straight year.
The 2020 event was a virtual offering that saw an audience of over 200,000 viewers across NITV, Facebook, YouTube and Double J.
This year, the two-hour NIMA radio special will feature exclusive live performances, yarns with artists, and of course announcing the award winners.
NIMA's creative director, Iwaidja and Malak Malak man Ben Graetz said in a statement that it was a tough decision to pull the live show but is pumped for the changeup.
"I am extremely excited to be working with Nooky and all the team at triple j, celebrating musical Blak Excellence through the radio!" he said.
Sharing the lead on total nominations this year is The Kid Laroi, whose single 'Stay' with Justin Bieber has been sitting at number 1 in the US Billboard Chart for seven weeks, Baker Boy, ahead of his debut album release and Sycco.
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First-time nominees include Budjerah, J-MILLA, King Stingray, JK-47 and Chasing Ghosts.
"NIMA, NIMA, NIMA, pumpkin eater! I'm pumped to be hosting the NIMAs and celebrating the mob. It's been a big year for Blak music, and it's mad we get to celebrate it here on Blak Out. It's the two hours of power special, and I'm G'd up. Let's go!" said Nooky, in a statement.
The National Indigenous Music Awards will be broadcast on triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed from 5-7 pm AEDT on Sunday 14 November.
2021 NIMAs FINALISTS
| Artist of the Year SyccoBirdzMiieshaBaker BoyThe Kid LAROIJessica Mauboy | Album of the Year Tia Gostelow - ChrysalisThe Kid LAROI - F*ck LoveLeah Flanagan - Colour by NumberJK-47 - Made For ThisBenny Walker - Chosen Line |
| Song of the Year Baker Boy, Dallas Woods, Sampa The Great - Better DaysBirdz - Bagi-la-m BarganMiiesha - DamagedThe Kid LAROI - Without YouSycco - Dribble | New Talent of the Year J-MILLABeddy RaysKing StingrayBudjerahChasing Ghosts |
| Film Clip of the Year Budjerah - HigherBaker Boy - Ride ft. YirrmalTroy Cassar-Daley - Back On CountrySycco - My WaysTia Gostelow - Two Lovers | Community Clip of the YearKakadu Collective and Victor Rostron - MayaliDunghutti community in South West Rocks - Fig Tree Mob - 'Barrunba (Dreaming)'Gunbalanya School - Stories of the Land Gunbalanya School - Talk About EmotionsStudents of Peppimenarti School - Stand Strong |
| Indigenous Language Award of the YearGuwanbal Gurruwiwi and Netanela Mizrahi - The Djari ProjectShellie Morris and Jason Durrurrnga - Dharuk GurthaGarrangali Band - Tongues of the FireStuart Joel Nuggett - I Am That Man/Ngaaya-BaayaStuart Joel Nuggett - Monsoon/Kuyubulu | |
