The acclaim comes as the Melbourne singer/songwriter enjoys a successful year, with his third album Blackbird getting rave reviews and half of his current 22-date national tour with Stonefield sold out. Sultan is up for Artist of the Year against Sheila Morris, Jessica Mauboy and Gurrumul Yunupingu.
His The Same Man was nominated in Song of the Year alongside two Busy Marou tracks, My Second Mistake and Get You Out Of Here;, Gurrumul’s Marilitja, Dewayne Everettsmith’s It’s Like Love and Jimblah’s March.
In the Album of the Year category, Blackbird vies against Busby Marou’s Farewell Fitzroy and two Gurrumul records, Life and Music with Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Live) and Life and Music studio album with string quartet.
For the full list of National Indigenous Music Awards nominees go to musicnt.com.au. Now in their third year, the awards are held by peak music association NT Music with the NT Government as part of the Darwin Festival. They’re held at Darwin’s George’s Green Amphitheatre on Friday August 15.
Sultan will also be a headlining performer at the NIMAs. Also of interest is a hip hop showcase with Jimblah, BRIGGS and The Last Kinection. Joining the showcase is 22-year-old rapper Philly (aka Phillip Murray) from Mildura, who won the annual triple j Unearthed NIMA Competition winner. Philly has just recorded a track with Adelaide MC Jimblah.
