2025 NIMA Winners: Celebrating Emily Wurramara and BARKAA

The 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) have announced their winners, showcasing the rich talent within First Nations music.

Held in Darwin on August 9th, the event celebrated remarkable achievements, with Emily Wurramara and the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band taking home multiple awards, while hip-hop artist BARKAA secured her second consecutive major title.

Wurramara Takes Top Honors

Emily Wurramara was named Artist of the Year, receiving her award from YouTube. She also clinched Film Clip of the Year for her compelling video “Lordy Lordy,” featuring Tasman Keith. Renowned as a powerful voice in Australia’s blues and roots genre, Wurramara has over 16 million streams on Spotify and has performed alongside iconic artists such as Midnight Oil and Missy Higgins.

Celebrating the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band

The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band earned both Song of the Year and Best New Talent awards. Their captivating funk-infused tracks, sung in Yolngu Matha, have garnered attention from festivals across the country, including Golden Plains and SXSW Sydney. Led by a charismatic frontman who transforms on stage, the group continues to engage audiences with their cultural richness and lively performances.

BARKAA’s Remarkable Achievement

BARKAA won Album of the Year for BIG TIDDA, marking a significant milestone as she becomes one of Australian hip-hop’s potent voices. Her unapologetic lyrics and dynamic stage presence earned her recognition again at the NIMAs, following her Artist of the Year win in 2024.

Community and Special Moments

The Community Clip of the Year award went to Bulman School & Community for their work on “Crocodile Style,” reflecting the NIMAs’ dedication to amplifying community stories.

Highlight moments during the evening included:

• Jessica Mauboy’s induction into the NIMAs Hall of Fame, complemented by her unique performance of “While I Got Time.”
• Troy Cassar-Daley, a two-time NIMAs winner, performed a breathtaking set.
• Miss Kaninna, the first independent Aboriginal woman nominated for an ARIA single, wowed the crowd with her performance.

Global Livestream and Winners’ List

This year marked the inaugural global livestream of the NIMAs on YouTube, expanding the reach of First Nations music and culture beyond Larrakia Country.

The full list of winners is detailed below, highlighting the remarkable talent celebrated at the event.

2025 NIMAs Winners

Artist of the Year presented by YouTube
Emily Wurramara

Best New Talent
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band

Album of the Year
BARKAA – BIG TIDDA

Film Clip of the Year
Emily Wurramara – “Lordy Lordy”

Community Clip of the Year
Bulman School & Community – “Crocodile Style”

Song of the Year
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band – “Once Upon a Time”