Baker Boy, the Yolŋu hip-hop artist otherwise known as Danzal Baker, has swept the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards (Nimas), taking home album, song, and film clip of the year for his sophomore record, Djandjay. The album, named in honour of his late grandmother, clearly struck a chord - or perhaps a brick wall, as he was busy hitting one during the Voice to Parliament referendum when he wrote the winning single, Thick Skin.
Thick Skin, featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn, and Jada Weazel, snagged both song and film clip of the year. The video, filmed at the colonial-era Werribee Mansion in Victoria, is a deliberate act of artistic squatting. “Filming somewhere with that colonialism, taking back that authority and giving a ‘this is my house’ vibe,” Baker told Guardian Australia. Because nothing says 'this is my house' like a bunch of white butlers and a whole lot of Blak excellence.
Accepting album of the year, Baker dedicated the honour to his grandmother, who apparently brought hip-hop to Arnhem Land by returning from a Los Angeles honeymoon with vinyl records and VHS tapes. Those inspired his father and uncle to form the 1980s dance duo the Baker Boys. “She was the reason that I have confidence and have no shame to be able to get out there and express my feelings,” he said, proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the family tree.
Djandjay marks an evolution from his 2021 debut, Gela, with deeper lyrical themes and a heavier sound. “It has the lyricism, the play on words, the whole thing,” he explained, adding that the 'Blak look' is 'staunch' yet vulnerable - a combination that clearly resonates.
Elsewhere, artist of the year went to Butchulla duo Birdz and Fred Leone, whose collaborative EP GIRA dropped in 2025. Birdz, accepting with Leone by his side, thanked the Northern Territory for shaping him: “I grew up in Katherine and this territory really shaped me and inspires me still today. So, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Yolŋu musician Drifting Clouds (Terry Guyula) won best new talent for his synth-driven tracks with Yolŋu Matha lyrics, thanking producer Zac Terry for “bringing me out from the bush to the city.” Jazz and blues musician Marlene Cummins and Galiwin’ku’s Saltwater Band were inducted into the Nimas Hall of Fame, joining legends like Jessica Mauboy and Yothu Yindi.
Baker Boy, who grew up dancing to Saltwater Band on Milingimbi island, was “very proud” of their induction. Mauboy, who presented the award, praised their three-decade legacy of blending traditional Yolŋu song with reggae, ska, and contemporary music. “Saltwater Band created a sound that was completely their own,” she said. “They showed artists like me and so many young people watching that you never have to leave your culture to chase your dreams. You can carry it with you.”
Full list of winners: Song of the year: Baker Boy - Thick Skin (feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel); Film clip of the year: Baker Boy - Thick Skin (feat. Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn & Jada Weazel); Community clip of the year: Northern Peninsula Area - All The Way From The NPA; Indigenous language award: Bulman School & Community - Lok Lok Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna); Hall of fame: Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band. Guardian Australia travelled to Darwin courtesy of Tourism NT.