Jessica Mauboy Joins NIMAs Hall of Fame: A Celebration of Her Legacy

## NIMAs 2025: Celebrating Indigenous Music

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), sponsored by YouTube, has revealed that Jessica Mauboy will be honored as the 2025 Hall of Fame inductee.

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

### Honoring Jessica Mauboy

Jessica Mauboy, who identifies as a Kuku Yalanji and Wakaman woman from Darwin, has made immense contributions to the Indigenous music scene and Australian music as a whole. Over her career, she has achieved six Top 10 albums and 16 singles that made it to the Top 20. With 31 ARIA nominations, she first became prominent through *Australian Idol* and has delivered well-loved tracks like “Burn” and “Little Things.” Beyond music, Mauboy has also made her mark in film and television, featuring in *The Sapphires* and *The Secret Daughter*, and she was the first Indigenous artist to reach the top of the ARIA Albums Chart with the show’s soundtrack.

### YouTube Music Workshop

In anticipation of the awards, YouTube Music is organizing a complimentary workshop on Friday, August 8th, at Darwin’s Harbour View Plaza starting at 2 PM. Marion Goodman-Briand, the head of Music Partnerships for YouTube AU/NZ, will lead the session, focusing on various release strategies to help artists expand their audiences. For those unable to attend in person, the workshop will be livestreamed.

Goodman-Briand expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying, “During the NIMAs weekend, I’m thrilled to host a workshop aimed at helping artists connect with their audience. We will cover best practices throughout the release cycle, from Shorts to live streams. I look forward to engaging with artists and sharing ways to amplify their music globally.”

### Exciting Performances

The 2025 NIMAs will feature dynamic performances from artists like Troy Cassar-Daley, Emma Donovan, Velvet Trip, Kankawa Nagarra, and Eleanor Jawurlngali & Mick Turner. Jessica Mauboy is scheduled to deliver a special performance to coincide with her Hall of Fame induction.

### Going Independent: Mauboy’s New Chapter

In related news, Mauboy has transitioned to an independent artist, launching her new label, Jamally, in collaboration with DistroDirect. This marks a significant shift as she releases music outside the traditional major label framework. Her team emphasizes that Jamally provides Mauboy with complete control over her creative journey, from recording to marketing.

“This is the beginning of a fresh chapter for me—not just as a singer or performer, but as a storyteller and businesswoman,” Mauboy stated. To kick off this new phase, she unveiled her latest single, “While I Got Time,” co-written with longtime collaborator PJ Harding.

### Celebrating Indigenous Music

Now in its 21st year, the NIMAs shine a spotlight on Indigenous musical talent across Australia. For the first time, the 2025 ceremony will be livestreamed globally on YouTube.

Tickets for the event are currently available. Will you be attending to celebrate this vibrant and culturally rich event?