Baker Boy sweeps 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards

Danzal Baker, known as Baker Boy, dominated the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards, securing top honors for album, song, and film clip of the year. His sophomore album, 'Djandjay,' named for his late grandmother, signifies an artistic evolution with deeper lyrics and a more robust sound.

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[Djangdjay] has the lyricism, the play on words, the whole thing. I would say the persona and the whole blak look has a very staunch feel and that vulnerability as well.

Baker dedicated his album of the year win to his grandmother, crediting her with introducing hip-hop to Arnhem Land and fostering his confidence. "She was the reason that I have confidence and have no shame to be able to get out there and express my feelings, and who I am and where I come from," Baker stated.

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

The hit single 'Thick Skin,' which earned song and film clip of the year awards, was written in the wake of the Voice to Parliament referendum. Baker described the creative process as overcoming a "brick wall" and needing to "speak my voice." The accompanying music video, filmed at Werribee Mansion, subverts colonial imagery by featuring white butlers and asserting a "this is my house" vibe, celebrating POC and Blak excellence.

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I was in the middle of working on the album and there was like a brick wall that was happening right in front of me… I had to speak my voice.

Other notable wins included Artist of the Year for the duo Birdz and Fred Leone, and Best New Talent for Yolŋu musician Drifting Clouds. Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band were inducted into the Nimas Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of music legends.

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Filming somewhere with that colonialism, taking back that authority and giving a ‘this is my house’ vibe. It’s about POC [people of colour] and Blak excellence – having white butlers and flipping that sort of feel.