Discovering the talents of the future and acknowledging those of the past, the 2019 National Indigenous Music Awards will be returning for its sixteenth year.

"The NIMAs continue to hold an important place in the Australian music calendar for both recognition and discovery of First Nations talent," NIMA reference group chair Warren Williams said.

"The event continues to evolve and cement its relevance across the year to show Australia the wide range of amazing music that Indigenous people contribute to Australia's musical canon."

It has been a big year for Indigenous musicians with Mojo Juju and Dan Sultan nominated for ARIAs, Electric Fields involved in Australia's Eurovision, Baker Boy dominating radio stations and Gurrumul winning the Australian Music Prize and four ARIAs for 'Djarimirri

This year's music awards follow the launch of the weekly National Indigenous Music Chart, which has given a weekly insight into the achievements of Indigenous musicians.

Shining a light on both big names like Baker Boy, Busby Marou and Thelma Plum, and the achievements of new artists like Kaiit, Tasman Keith, Dallas Woods and Drmngnow.

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Last years' awards also offered a thoughtful recognition of the past with Indigenous music legend Gurrumul winning Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year.

Judging of the National Indigenous Music Awards is split this year, with 50 per cent of votes coming from a panel of prominent Indigenous Australians and community leaders and 50 per cent from a panel of Indigenous and non-Indigenous media and music industry representatives.

The awards will be returning to Darwin's iconic Amphitheatre on August 10.

The public and industry are encouraged to nominate Indigneous albums or singles released after June 1, 2018 for inclusion in this year's awards.

Visit the website here for more information.

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