National Indigenous Music awards 2026: Baker Boy wins big, including album and song of the year

The Guardian · 🇬🇧 public United Kingdom · Aug 08, 2026 · 693 words · By Ima Caldwell

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What to know about National Indigenous Music awards 2026: Baker Boy wins big, including album and song of the year

Baker Boy has won album, song and film clip of the year at the 2026 National Indigenous music awards (Nimas), paying tribute to his late grandmother who his sophomore album, Djandjay, is named for.

Claims checked 14

Techniques found 0

Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left20%

Center60%

Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Baker Boy has won album, song and film clip of the year at the 2026 National Indigenous music awards (Nimas), paying tribute to his late grandmother who his sophomore album, Djandjay, is named for.

Why it matters

The Yolŋu hip-hop artist, whose name is Danzal Baker, won three awards for Djandjay, including song of the year and film clip of the year for its hit single Thick Skin, which features Indigenous artists Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel.

Common ground

Djandjay marks an evolution from Baker’s 2021 debut, Gela, delivering deeper lyrical themes and a heavier sound.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

Follow-up questions

What concrete event or decision sits underneath the headline: National Indigenous Music awards 2026: Baker Boy wins big, including album and song of the year?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that he wrote Thick Skin... following the voice to parliament referendum?
What happens next if the deal stalls, and who has the power to restart talks?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/09/nimas-2026-winners-national-indige…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 4

verified Verified By Reference 4

schedule Pending 4

help Insufficient Evidence 2

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Claim 1: “he wrote Thick Skin... following the voice to parliament referendum”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources (Perth Happenings, The Guardian, and another news report) confirm 'Thick Skin' was written following the Voice to Parliament referendum.

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web search NEUTRAL — We also gained insight into Baker’s mindset following the defeat of the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum in 2023 – the inspiration for the emotionally charged track, Thick Skin.
https://perthhappenings.com.au/review-the-making-of-djandjay…

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web search NEUTRAL — Aussie icon and legend, Ray Martin, drops some truths about The Voice: 'If you're a dinosaur or a dickhead who can't be bothered reading then vote No...the details simply don't matter. They never did …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJhCv89VDFM

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web search NEUTRAL — If the Australian "Indigenous Voice to Parliament" Referendum is held before 2026, will it pass?
https://www.metaculus.com/questions/12255/aus-referendum-on-…

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Claim 2: “The music video was filmed at the colonial-era Werribee Mansion in Victoria”

CORROBORATED

Three independent sources confirm the music video for 'Thick Skin' was filmed at Werribee Mansion in Victoria.

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web search NEUTRAL — Baker told Guardian Australia he wrote Thick Skin, which won song and film clip of the year, following the voice to parliament referendum.The music video was filmed at the colonial-era Werribee Mansio…
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/09/nimas-2026-win…

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web search NEUTRAL — The music video was filmed at Werribee Mansion in Victoria, intentionally utilizing the colonial setting to reclaim authority and showcase “POC [people of colour] and Blak excellence.” Other Award Win…
https://general-en.digitalmonkeyacademy.com/animals/baker-bo…

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web search NEUTRAL — The song ‘Thick Skin,’ which won Song of the Year and Film Clip of the Year, was written following the Voice to Parliament referendum. The music video, filmed at the colonial-era Werribee Mansion in V…
https://general-en.asmanissieux.com/animals/baker-boy-wins-b…

verified

Claim 3: “song of the year and film clip of the year for its hit single Thick Skin, which features Indigenous artists Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia specifically lists the 'Blak choir' featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Anh, and Jada Weazel for the song 'Thick Skin'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Danzal James Baker (born 10 October 1996), known professionally as Baker Boy, is a Yolngu rapper, dancer, and artist. Baker Boy is known for performing original hip-hop songs incorporating both Engli…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Boy

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Thelma Amelina Plumbe (born 21 December 1994), known professionally as Thelma Plum, is an Aboriginal Australian (Gamilaraay) singer, songwriter, guitarist and musician from Delungra, New South Wales. …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_Plum

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — "Thick Skin" is a song by Indigenous Australian musician Baker Boy featuring a "Blak choir" of female Indigenous vocalists - Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Anh, and Jada Weazel, released on 5 Septembe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thick_Skin_(Baker_Boy_song)

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 4: “Indigenous language award: Bulman School & Community – Lok Lok Mah Burarr (Lizard & Goanna)”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 5: “The cousins – rapper Birdz and songman Leone – released a joint six-track EP titled Gira in 2025”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding a joint EP titled 'Gira' released by Birdz and Fred Leone in 2025.

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Claim 6: “Yolŋu musician Drifting Clouds, whose name is Terry Guyula, took home best new talent”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 7: “Artist of the year was awarded to Butchulla duo Birdz and Fred Leone”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm who won Artist of the Year at the 2026 NIMAs.

verified

Claim 8: “his father and uncle to form 1980s dance duo the Baker Boys”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided evidence does not mention his father and uncle forming a dance duo; search results for 'Baker Boys' refer to unrelated movies, TV shows, or documentaries.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Baker Boys may refer to: Baker Boys: Inside the Surge, a 2010 documentary series Baker Boys (2011 TV series), a BBC TV Series Baker Boys (Thai TV series), a 2021 television adaptation of the manga An…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Boys

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Joseph N. "Joby" Baker (March 26, 1934 – June 22, 2026) was a Canadian-born American actor and painter. As an actor, he was best known for his lighthearted, low-key comedy roles, including the lead ro…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joby_Baker

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Troy Baker is an American voice actor and musician known for his numerous roles in video games, including Joel Miller in The Last of Us franchise, and Rhys Strongfork in Tales from the Borderlands (2…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Baker

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 9: “Guguyelandji and Woppaburra jazz and blues musician Marlene Cummins and Galiwin’ku’s Saltwater Band were inducted into the Nimas Hall of Fame”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 10: “The Yolŋu hip-hop artist, whose name is Danzal Baker”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia and multiple other sources confirm his real name is Danzal James Baker and he is a Yolŋu hip-hop artist.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — "Cloud 9" is the debut single by Indigenous Australian rapper Baker Boy, featuring Australian musician Kian, released independently on 27 April 2017.. It is credited as the first original rap to be r…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_9_(Baker_Boy_song)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Yolŋu or Yolngu (IPA: [ˈjuːlŋʊ] or [ˈjuːŋuːl]) are an aggregation of Aboriginal Australian people inhabiting north-eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. Yolŋu means "person" …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yolŋu

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 11: “his sophomore album, Djandjay, is named for [his late grandmother]”

CORROBORATED

Three independent sources (Wikipedia, The Guardian, and another news source) confirm the album 'Djandjay' is named after his late grandmother.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Baker said the album title is named after his late grandmother and a Yolŋu spiritual figure — an octopus spirit said to guide souls. Baker Boy said "Djandjay is about truth. It's about strength and de…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djandjay

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web search NEUTRAL — After completing his long-awaited sophomore record, and with his late grandmother having passed away, it only felt right to name it after Djandjay. Djandjay is also the name of a Yolŋu octopus spirit …
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/oct/06/baker-boy-inte…

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web search NEUTRAL — Baker Boy's new album DJANDJAY is named after his late grandmother. (Supplied: Island Records Australia). "The whole album process was kind of like, this trying out different hats," Baker Boy said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-10/baker-boy-on-his-new-…

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Claim 12: “Baker Boy has won album, song and film clip of the year at the 2026 National Indigenous music awards (Nimas)”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent news sources (The Guardian and another news report) confirm Baker Boy won Album, Song, and Film Clip of the Year at the 2026 NIMAs.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is the seventh album by The Moody Blues, released in 1971. The album reached No. 1 on the British album chart, in addition to a three-week stay at No. 2 in the United St…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Good_Boy_Deserves_Favour…

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 13: “Community clip of the year: Northern Peninsula Area – All The Way From The NPA”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 14: “Baker’s 2021 debut, Gela”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia and other sources confirm 'Gela' was released as his debut album in October 2021.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The newsboy cap, newsie cap, Gatsby, jeff cap, or baker boy hat (British) is a casual-wear cap similar in style to the flat cap. It has a similar overall shape and stiff peak (visor) in front as a fl…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsboy_cap

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Simon Lucas Baker (born 30 July 1969) is an Australian actor and director. He first gained prominence on the Australian soap opera E Street (1992–1993). Baker achieved his Hollywood breakthrough in 19…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Baker

+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.