There were many winners at last night's ARIA awards ceremony, but none more so than Baker Boy.
The Yolngu rapper, whose full name is Danzal James Baker, won five trophies at the awards show including Album of the Year and Best Hip Hop/Rap Release for his album Gela. He also won the award for Best Solo artist.
It was an incredible night for the artist, also known as The Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land, who spoke partly in language when accepting his awards, as he does on his tracks.
He also performed an energetic set with back-up dancers and played the didgeridoo on stage.
This year's ARIAs were dominated by Indigenous artists, with rock band King Stingray — also from Arnhem Land — winning the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist award. Kamilaroi artist The Kid LAROI won Best Pop Release for his song Thousand Miles, and Coodjinburra musician Budjerah won Best Soul/R&B Release for Conversations.
Budjerah, Thelma Plum and Jessica Mauboy performed One Song in memory of Uncle Archie Roach, after Briggs and Peter Garrett spoke warmly of the beloved Gunditjmara and Bundjalung elder, who posthumously won the award for Best Independent Release.
Accepting the award on his behalf was his granddaughter Janaya Roach and singer Emma Donovan.
"We're so proud of you pop and I hope you're having a good old jam up there with nanna in the Dream Time," Janaya Roach said.
Donovan acknowledged "all the amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists" who were nominated for an ARIA.
"It would have been a long time from when Aunty Ruby Hunter and Uncle Archie Roach were here being nominated when they were young fellas, it would have been a long time," Donovan said.
"And they'd be proud tonight to see the representation of black voices here."
The award was presented by country music star Troy Cassar-Daley and Kamilaroi and Samoan singer songwriter Becca Hatch.
Oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros and didgeridooist William Barton won Best World Music Album for History has a Heartbeat.
Late Australian entertainers honoured
This has been a year in which Australians have bid farewell to some much-loved entertainers, and some of them were honoured at the ARIAs.
Donovan and Dami Im performed in honour of Judith Durham of The Seekers, Uncle Jack Charles was acknowledged, and the night ended with a performance by host Natalie Imbruglia, who was joined by Kye, Peking Duk and Tones And I for a tribute to Olivia Newton-John.
The general consensus on social media wasn't entirely positive, with many users feeling the performance fell short in honouring homegrown superstar Newton-John, with some comparing it to singer Pink's lauded tribute at this week's American Music Awards.
Others pointed out there were a few hiccups, with the ceremony not playing out as smoothly as it could have.
Last night's was the first in-person ARIAs since 2019 and it drew a sizeable crowd to Sydney's Hordern Pavilion.
