Emily Wurramara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emily Wurramara
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Wurramara speaking with WOW Sounds Presents in July 2020
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| Origin | Australia |
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Emily Wurramara is a talented Indigenous Australian singer and songwriter. She is known for her beautiful music and powerful messages. In 2024, she made history at the 2024 ARIA Music Awards. She won the ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album. This made her the first Indigenous woman to ever win in this important music category.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Emily Wurramara spent her early childhood moving between two islands. These were Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island (Milyakburra). Both islands are located in the Gulf of Carpentaria, off the coast of the Northern Territory. When she was six years old, her family moved to Brisbane.
Emily's family background is very diverse. Her father has Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish roots. Her mother is a Warninidlyakwa woman, also with Greek, Italian, and Turkish heritage.
From a young age, Emily loved music and words. She wrote songs and poetry. She listened to music from Indigenous bands like Coloured Stone and Yothu Yindi. Later, she found inspiration in artists like Billie Holiday, Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, and Alan Jackson.
Music Career and Achievements
Emily Wurramara is unique because she sings and writes in two languages. She uses both English and her traditional language, Anindilyakwa. She is also skilled at playing six different musical instruments. These include the piano and violin.
First Music Releases
In 2016, Emily released her first collection of songs, called an EP. It was titled Black Smoke. This EP was featured on triple j unearthed, a platform for new music. It also helped her win a Queensland Music Award.
Her first full album, Milyakburra, came out in 2018. She then went on a national tour with fellow artist Alice Skye. The album Milyakburra is named after Milyakburra. This island is very special and sacred to Emily and her people. Her family members even helped create the album. Her Uncle Enoch sang on a song called "Title." Her great-grandmother's voice can be heard on "Carry Me Home." Emily's grandmother created the beautiful artwork for the album cover.
Collaborations and Important Songs
In November 2022, Emily worked with other First Nations artists. They included Emma Donovan, DOBBY, Drmngnow, and Optamus. Together, they created a song called "Forever 15." This song was a tribute to Cassius Turvey. Cassius was a young boy who passed away at 15. The song was played at his funeral and released to the public soon after.
Emily Wurramara also appeared on the cover of Coles supermarket's Health and Beauty magazine. This was for their Winter 2023 issue. She was featured alongside another talented singer, Bumpy.
Recent Album Success
In July 2024, Emily announced her second studio album, Nara. The album was released on August 23, 2024. To celebrate, she went on a national tour. Nara was a big success. It won Best Adult Contemporary Album at the 2024 ARIA Awards. This win was very significant. It made Emily the first Indigenous woman to ever win in that category at the ARIA Awards.
Personal Life
Emily Wurramara is a mother. Her daughter was born in 2017.
In May 2019, a fire occurred at her home in Brisbane.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Details |
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| Milyakburra |
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| Nara |
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Extended Plays
| Title | Details |
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| Black Smoke |
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| Ayarra Emeba (Calm Songs) |
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Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
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| 2016 | "Ngerraberrakernama (Wake Up)" | Black Smoke |
| "Ngayuwa Nalyelyingminama (I Love You)" | ||
| "Black Smoke" | ||
| "Ementha-Papaguneray (Turtle Song)" | Milyakburra | |
| 2017 | "Hey Love" | |
| 2019 | "Yuwani" (with Mambali) | non album singles |
| "Laughing Buddha" (with Chong Ali) | ||
| "Black Boy" (with Flewnt) | ||
| 2020 | "Trust" (with Kuya James) | |
| "Cruisin'" | ||
| 2024 | "Magic Woman Dancing" | Nara |
| "Midnight Blues" | ||
| "Lordy Lordy" (with Tasman Keith) |
Non-single Album Appearances
| Year | Title | Album |
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| 2017 | "Black Boy" | Deadly Hearts |
| 2020 | "Get Back to the Land" (with DRMNGNOW) | Deadly Hearts: Walking Together |
| 2022 | "Dressing Up" | ReWiggled |
| 2024 | "So High" (with PNAU) | Hyperbolic |
Awards and Recognition
Emily Wurramara has received many awards and nominations for her music. These awards celebrate her talent and contributions to the music industry.
AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) celebrate independent music artists in Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Emily Wurramara | Breakthrough Independent Artist | Nominated | |
| Milyakburra | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album | Won | ||
| 2023 | Ayarra Emeba (Calm Songs) | Best Independent Children's Album or EP | Nominated | |
| 2025 | Nara | Independent Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore for Emily Wurramara (featuring Tasman Keith) "Lordy Lordy" | Independent Music Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| ABC Music and The Annex for Nara | Independent Marketing Team of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Liz Ansley for Nara | Independent Publicity Team of the Year | Nominated |
APRA Music Awards
The APRA Music Awards honor songwriters and music composers in Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Emily Wurramara | Emerging Songwriter of the Year | Nominated |
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards are Australia's biggest music awards. They recognize excellence in all music genres.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Milyakburra | Best Blues & Roots Album | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Nara | Best Adult Contemporary Album | Won | |
| Best Independent Release | Nominated |
Environmental Music Prize
The Environmental Music Prize looks for songs that inspire action on climate and conservation.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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| 2022 | "When a Tree Falls" (The Boy of Many Colors featuring Emily Wurramara) | Environmental Music Prize | Nominated | |
| 2023 | "Lady Blue" | Environmental Music Prize | Nominated |
J Awards
The J Awards are Australian music awards from the radio station Triple J.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
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| 2024 | "Lordy Lordy" (featuring Tasman Keith) Directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore |
Australian Video of the Year | Won | |
| Emily Wurramara | Double J Artist of the Year | Nominated |
National Indigenous Music Awards
The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) celebrate Indigenous music in Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | ! Ref. |
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| 2017 | "Herself" | New Talent of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Hey Love" | Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | "Herself" | New Talent of the Year | Nominated | |
| Milyakburra | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | "Herself" | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2025 | Emily Wurramara | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Nara | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| "Lordy Lordy" | Film Clip of the Year | Nominated | ||
| "S.T.F.A.F.M." | Song of the Year | Nominated |
National Live Music Awards
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) recognize live music in Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Emily Wurramara | Best Folk Act | Won | |
| Live Voice in Tasmania | Nominated |
Queensland Music Awards
The Queensland Music Awards celebrate artists from Queensland, Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
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| 2017 | "Ngayuwa Nalyelyingminama (I Love You)" | Indigenous Song of the Year | Won |
| 2018 | "Ngayuwa Nalyelyingminama (I Love You)" | Indigenous Song of the Year | Won |
| 2019 | "Lady Blue" | Indigenous Song of the Year | Won |
| "Tap Sticks" | Blues and Roots Song of the Year | Won |
