Coodjinburra musician Budjerah has been crowned artist of the year at the National Indigenous Music Awards.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Fingal Head, in northern NSW, has spent the past year touring with Ed Sheeran and released his hit-single Therapy in February.
His list of Australian accolades will now grow after winning the young artist of the year at the 2021 Indigenous Awards, being crowned the best breakthrough artist at the 2021 ARIA Awards and taking out the ARIA for best soul/R&B release for his album Conversations last year.
Budjerah was also nominated for song of the year and film clip of the year, although both those categories were taken out by emerging talent King Stingray.
The band, from northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, released the single Let's Go in May 2022 and their debut self-titled album in August last year.
This is the band's second year winning song of the year after taking out the category last year with their single Milkumana.
Gamilaraay musician Thelma Plum was also recognised, taking out album of the year with her EP Meanjin, written during COVID-19 lockdowns.
The ARIA Award winner has been shortlisted for the Indigenous Awards 10 times but has not won since 2015.
The community clip of the year was awarded to Arnhem Land group Wildfire Manwurrk for Mararradj.
The group also won the Archie Roach Foundation Award.
The Indigenous Language Award went to Ngulmiya, an Arnhem Land songman and ceremony leader, for his self-titled single.
Musical trailblazers Yothu Yindi were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
