2025 NIMA Finalists: Celebrating 3%, King Stingray, and BARKAA

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) has announced its finalists for 2025, featuring an exciting lineup of live performances.

The awards ceremony is set to take place at the Darwin Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 9th.

Leading the nominations this year is the ARIA-winning hip hop collective 3%, celebrated for their impactful protest album KILL THE DEAD. Also nominated are the talented singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara, noted for her emotional storytelling in NARA, and the beloved Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, whose debut album Sing Your Own Song has garnered four nominations.

Close behind, with three nominations each, are the Yolŋu surf-rock group King Stingray and the dynamic hip hop artist BARKAA, recognized for her powerful EP BIG TIDDA. Other notable contenders include chart-topping artist Jessica Mauboy, genre-blending musician Radical Son, and stirring roots artist Emma Donovan, all vying for Artist of the Year, presented by YouTube.

The Best New Talent category highlights five innovative acts: Ripple Effect Band from Maningrida, Naarm-based rapper Miss Kaninna, and Drifting Clouds, among others.

The Community Clip of the Year category showcases community-driven storytelling, with nominations for projects like Kalkaringi School’s “Gurindji Dream Big (Kuni-jungkarni)” and Warmun Community’s “Turkey Creek.”

This year’s performance roster features a mix of legendary and emerging artists, including country icon Troy Cassar-Daley, Jessica Mauboy, soul sensation Emma Donovan, and the experimental band Velvet Trip.

Additionally, the lineup includes Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper BARKAA, reigning NIMAs Artist of the Year; Gomeroi rapper Kobie Dee; and gospel-blues vocalist Kankawa Nagarra, who will debut a new single alongside Eleanor Jawurlngali and Mick Turner (Dirty Three).

Troy Cassar-Daley shares, “My connection to Larrakia Country has been long-standing. I first visited at 21 and fell in love with the land and its people. I’m eager to celebrate our community’s achievements in Garramilla.”

For the first time, the 2025 ceremony will be livestreamed globally on YouTube, offering a unique opportunity to spotlight Indigenous music for audiences worldwide.

Marion Goodman-Briand, Music Content Partnerships for YouTube Australia & New Zealand, states, “We’re proud to partner this year. The NIMAs serve as a vital platform to showcase the extraordinary talents and rich narratives within First Nations music, and we aim to amplify these voices globally.

“Congratulations to all the nominees, including 3%, Emily Wurramara, and Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, who continually push boundaries and share essential stories. We are excited about the performances from Troy Cassar-Daley, Jessica Mauboy, and innovative acts like BARKAA. Our livestream will expand the event’s reach beyond Larrakia Country, celebrating the significant impact of First Nations music.”

Tickets for this year’s ceremony are available for purchase.

2025 NIMAs

Saturday, August 9th
Darwin Amphitheatre, Garramilla/Darwin NT

AWARD CATEGORIES:

Artist of the Year presented by YouTube
3%
Emily Wurramara
Jessica Mauboy
King Stingray
Emma Donovan
Radical Son
Birdz and Fred Leone

Best New Talent
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band
Drifting Clouds
Miss Kaninna
Ripple Effect Band
Tjaka

Album of the Year
3% – KILL THE DEAD
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band – Sing Your Own Song
BARKAA – BIG TIDDA
Emily Wurramara – NARA
King Stingray – For The Dreams

Film Clip of the Year
3% – Won’t Stop ft. Jessica Mauboy
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band – Wata Mäwi
BARKAA – Ngamaka ft. Leroy Johnson
Emily Wurramara – Lordy Lordy
King Stingray – Day Off
Radical Son – Bilambiyal

Community Clip of the Year
Bulman School & Community – “Crocodile Style”
Bulman School & Community – “My Story of Songline Mata”
Bulman School & Community – “Strong Bala Wei”
Kalkaringi School – “Gurindji Dream Big (Kuni-jungkarni)”
Mapoon Community – “Breathe In Breathe Out”
Warmun Community – “Turkey Creek”

Song of the Year
3% – Won’t Stop ft. Jessica Mauboy
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band – Once Upon A Time
BARKAA – Ngmaka ft. Leroy Johnson
Emily Wurramara – STFAFM
Jem Cassar-Daley – Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving
The Kid Laroi – GIRLS

LINEUP:
Troy Cassar-Daley
Jessica Mauboy
Velvet Trip
Emma Donovan
BARKAA
Kankawa Nagarra
Kobie Dee
Eleanor Jawurlngali & Mick Turner (Dirty Three)