The 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards have celebrated Indigenous music on Larrakia Country, with Baker Boy taking home three major awards and Birdz and Fred Leone named Artist of the Year.

The NIMAs returned to Darwin Amphitheatre in Garramilla (Darwin) on Saturday night, recognising artists across seven award categories alongside two Hall of Fame inductions and a program of live performances.

Baker Boy led the winners with Album of the Year for 'DJANDJAY', while 'THICK SKIN' featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn and Jada Weazel won both Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year.

Baker Boy dedicated his Album of the Year recognition to his late grandmother, who gave 'DJANDJAY' its name.

"This award is very special for me, especially [because] I get to work on my album which I named after my late grandmother 'DJANDJAY'," Baker Boy said.

"She was the reason I have the confidence and no shame to be to get out there and express my feelings and who I am and where I come from.

"I want to congratulate all the nominees here tonight as well."

Birdz and Fred Leone claimed their first NIMA with Artist of the Year following the release of their EP 'GIRA' late last year.

Drifting Clouds continued its rise by taking out Best New Talent, while Northern Peninsula Area won Community Clip of the Year for 'All The Way From The NPA'.

Bulman School and Community received the Indigenous Language Award for 'LOK LOK MAH BURARR' (Lizard & Goanna).

The ceremony also inducted Guguyelandji and Woppaburra blues artist Marlene Cummins and Elcho Island roots outfit Saltwater Band into the NIMAs Hall of Fame.

Ms Cummins was recognised for a career spanning blues music, broadcasting and storytelling, while Saltwater Band was honoured for its influence on First Nations music and the group's use of Yolŋu language and traditional song.

The night opened with triple j Unearthed winner Kyla Belle performing 'Let me Burn', followed by Casii Williams with 'Spirit'.

Bumpy performed 'Kanana' before Zipporah took to the stage with 'White Flag' from her recently released EP 'Naungu urui'.

Stiff Gins later performed 'Fade Away', before NIMAs Hall of Fame inductee Jessica Mauboy presented Saltwater Band with its Hall of Fame recognition.

South Summit performed 'ON THE DASH' and 'TOP OF THE HILL' from its second album 'RUN IT BACK', while Electric Fields delivered 'Anpuru Maau Kutjpa' and 'Dali'.

BIG NOTER performed 'IDENTITY' and marked 10 years since Briggs and the late Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu won Song of the Year for 'The Children Came Back'.

Baker Boy returned to the stage with 'THICK SKIN', joined by Emma Donovan, before Saltwater Band closed the ceremony with 'Bolu' and 'Sailing Boat'.

Full list of 2026 NIMA winners

Artist of the Year - Birdz and Fred Leone

Best New Talent - Drifting Clouds

Album of the Year - Baker Boy, 'DJANDJAY'

Film Clip of the Year - Baker Boy, 'THICK SKIN' featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn and Jada Weazel

Community Clip of the Year - Northern Peninsula Area, 'All The Way From The NPA'

Song of the Year - Baker Boy, 'THICK SKIN' featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn and Jada Weazel

Indigenous Language Award - Bulman School and Community, 'LOK LOK MAH BURARR' (Lizard & Goanna)

Hall of Fame - Marlene Cummins

Hall of Fame - Saltwater Band