The finalists for Australia's 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) have been announced, with rapper Baker Boy and Arnhem Land newcomer Drifting Clouds among the leading contenders. Baker Boy, alongside hip-hop act 3% and Jem Cassar-Daley, will compete for the top prize of artist of the year at a ceremony to be held on Saturday 8 August at Darwin Amphitheatre. The awards celebrate First Nations musical talent and form part of a wider week-long showcase of Indigenous excellence.

Baker Boy (real name Danzal Baker), a multiple ARIA Award winner, is in the running for album of the year (Djandjay), film clip of the year and song of the year for "THICK SKIN", and will perform on the night. Drifting Clouds, who blends ancient songlines with 1980s synth-pop, is nominated for best new talent, best song and best video clip for "Bawuypawuy", while Cassar-Daley — daughter of country star Troy Cassar-Daley — is up for song of the year with "Front Left Pocket". A total of 24 artists are nominated across six categories, with the ceremony running alongside the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards from 5–11 August.