National Indigenous Music awards 2026: Baker Boy wins big, including album and song of the year
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Baker Boy Takes Home Top Honours at National Indigenous Music Awards 2026
Wanderstayfinder.com – Danzal Baker, widely known as Baker Boy, celebrated a triumphant night at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2026, claiming three major awards in Darwin. The Yolŋu hip-hop artist’s album Djandjay won album of the year, while its hit single Thick Skin took home both song of the year and best music video, solidifying his status as one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous musicians.
The album, dedicated to his late grandmother, marks a creative leap forward from his 2021 debut Gela. Listeners and critics have praised Djandjay for its richer lyrical depth and more expansive sound. During a candid backstage conversation, Baker reflected on the personal journey behind the record.
“Djandjay has the lyricism, the play on words, the whole thing,” Baker shared. “I would say the persona and the whole Blak look has a very staunch feel, and that vulnerability as well.”
In his acceptance speech, Baker paid tribute to his grandmother, crediting her with bringing hip-hop culture to Arnhem Land. After returning from a honeymoon in Los Angeles, she brought vinyl records and VHS tapes that inspired Baker’s 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, and who I am and where I come from,” Baker said.
Thick Skin: A Song Forged in Political Change
Thick Skin, featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn, and Jada Weazel, was written during a transformative period in Australian politics. Baker revealed the song came together while he was working on the album, right as the voice to parliament referendum unfolded.
“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,” he explained.
The music video was filmed at Werribee Mansion in Victoria, a colonial-era estate Baker selected to symbolise cultural reclamation. The visuals show Baker and his collaborators performing inside the mansion’s elegant halls, surrounded by white butlers—a powerful nod to flipping historical narratives.
“Filming somewhere with that colonialism, taking back that authority and giving a ‘this is my house’ vibe,” Baker told Guardian Australia. “It’s about POC and Blak excellence – having white butlers and flipping that sort of feel.”
Other Highlights from the Night
Birdz and Fred Leone, cousins from the Butchulla nation, won artist of the year for their 2025 EP GIRA. The pair blended hip-hop and traditional Indigenous sounds to create a distinctive collaborative project.
“I grew up in Katherine and this territory really shaped me and inspires me still today. So, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Birdz said alongside Leone.
Best new talent went to Drifting Clouds, the stage name of Yolŋu musician Terry Guyula. Known for synth-driven tracks sung in Yolŋu Matha, Guyula accepted the award with producer Zac Terry, thanking him for “bringing me out from the bush to the city.”
The ceremony also honoured two legends with Hall of Fame inductions: Marlene Cummins, a jazz and blues musician from Guguyelandji and Woppaburra lands, and Saltwater Band from Galiwin’ku. Both join past inductees including Jessica Mauboy and Yothu Yindi.
Jessica Mauboy presented the award to Saltwater Band, celebrating their 30-year legacy of mixing Yolŋu song with reggae, ska, and modern styles.
“It fills me with pride to celebrate music from the Northern Territory,” Mauboy said. “Saltwater Band created a sound that was completely their own … 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.”
Baker Boy shared his admiration for Saltwater Band’s induction, recalling childhood performances on Milingimbi island. “When I was a kid on [Milingimbi] island, they would come perform and it was always something special,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won album of the year at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2026?
Baker Boy’s album Djandjay won album of the year at the 2026 ceremony held in Darwin.
What songs were featured on Thick Skin?
The track features Indigenous artists Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn, and Jada Weazel.
Who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2026?
Marlene Cummins and Saltwater Band were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2026.
Where was the Thick Skin music video filmed?
The video was shot at Werribee Mansion in Victoria, chosen for its colonial-era significance.
