Briggs, Thelma Plum contend with Jess Mauboy, Dan Sultan for NIMA Artist of the Year

Maverick rapper Briggs and rising star Thelma Plum join mainstream success stories Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan to round out the Artist of the Year finalists at the upcoming National Indigenous Music Awards to be held in Darwin on 25th July.

Briggs, Dan Sultan, Thelma Plumb and Jessica Mauboy all in running for NIMAs Artist of the Year. Source: Supplied

Briggs, who released the moving 'The Children Came Back' as a sequel to Archie Roach’s 'They Took The Children Away' seems to be making all the right moves at the moment with his brash, powerful approach to socially conscious hip hop creating waves and earning him a nomination in all of the five categories he is eligible for.

With a reputation for giving a platform for new and emerging Indigenous artists, this year, the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) looks set to continue that tradition through a partnership with Triple J’s Unearthed initiative where 22 year old Zane Francis from South East Queensland will follow in the footsteps of Thelma Plumb and MC Philly as the winner of the Indigenous category of this year’s Unearthed Competition.

The National Indigenous Music Awards, recognised nationally as the pre-eminent awards for Indigenous music, will be hosted by NITV journalist Malarndirri McCarthy and cabaret comedian Kamahi Djordon King on Saturday 25 July at the Amphitheatre, George’s Green, Darwin.

Tickets are available from www.darwinfestival.org.au with free entry for kids under 12.

2015 NIMAs Finalists

National Artist of the Year

Dan Sultan

Briggs

Thelma Plum

Jessica Mauboy

National Song of the Year

'How Much Does Your Love Cost?' - Thelma Plum

'Young In Love' - Thelma Plum

'Bad Apples' - Briggs

'Dirty Ground' - Dan Sultan

'Black Woman' - Emma Donovan

National Album of the Year

Briggs - Sheplife

Emma Donovan and Putback - Dawn

Frank Yamma - Uncle

East Journey feat. Yothu Yindi - The Genesis Project

National New Talent of the Year 

Philly

Lucky Luke

Tjintu Desert Band

National Cover Art of the Year

Briggs - Sheplife

East Journey feat. Yothu Yindi - Song of Arnhem Land

Radical Son - Cause N Affect

Frank Yamma – Uncle

National Film Clip of the Year

Dan Sultan - 'Dirty Ground'

Briggs - 'Bad Apples'

East Journey - 'Song of Arnhem Land (Salas/Moore Mix)'

B2M - 'Parlingarri'

Radical Son - 'Human Behavoiur'

Community Clip of the Year

Breath In, Breath Out

Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Katherine West Health Board and Bulla Camp

Got a lot Going On - Yarn Safe

Produced By: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and Indigenous creative agency Gilimbaa 

Uncle Alfred's Mens Group - Spear of Destiny

Produced By: Desert Pea Media 

Cairns Murri Crew - Built To Last

Produced By: Desert Pea Media

Tagai Buway - Two Worlds

Produced By: Desert Pea Media

Call On Me

Produced by: Indigenous Hip Hop Projects was proud to partner with Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and St. Mary's College

NITV has created the below playlist to help you get to know the sounds and messages of many of the 2015 NIMA finalists.

Listen to 'How Much Does Your Love Cost?' - Thelma Plum