At YouTube, we believe in the power of music to connect cultures and amplify diverse voices. We are incredibly proud to celebrate First Nations music and culture through our partnership with the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) and BlakStage – a unique content series that brings together established artist Jessica Mauboy and two incredible emerging female talents from the Northern Territory, Kulkalgal artist Pele Savage and Yolngu artist Maggie Garawittja, to create something truly special.

More than just a collaboration, BlakStage is a journey of mentorship and cultural celebration. The series takes viewers inside the creative process as the artists prepare Mauboy's new single, "While I Got Time," for a powerful live performance.

As Pele shared, "Jess made me believe if she can do it, then I can do it." This sentiment is at the heart of the series, which documents the artists' creative process from studio sessions to their show-stopping live performance at the NIMAs.

“This experience has inspired me, giving me a boost of motivation to create more music. I’ve also met and reconnected with others in the industry that will help with networking in the future,” Pele added.

Maggie, who grew up listening to Jess, echoed this excitement, highlighting how BlakStage celebrates the profound role of music in identity and community.

“Being a part of this project and having this opportunity to perform with someone big and well-known especially that people from my community knows very much, is something life changing for me and I’m grateful for that, going home to little kids asking me ‘if it was me with Jess on stage’ it has inspired me to let young ones from my community know that this could happen to them too,” she said.

Jess also shared how important music is in any culture. “It's a form of storytelling. It's a form of advocacy in whatever you believe in, and so I think it takes great effect when someone shares a story from their place,” she explained.

She also shared how the sessions made her feel on top of the world, "Pele Savage brings raw lyricism and soulful storytelling, while Maggie Garawirrtja blends her emerging music career with her role as a community teacher. Sharing the stage with them at the NIMAs was a proud moment—they inspire me as much as I hope I inspire them."

This project is a powerful tribute to Mauboy's legacy and her induction into the NIMAs Hall of Fame, but it’s also about passing the mic to the next generation. The series demonstrates how YouTube serves as a global stage for underrepresented voices. By documenting this collaboration and livestreaming the NIMAs for the first time, we are ensuring these vital stories are heard around the world. BlakStage is a powerful tribute to legacy and a leap toward the future, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the Australian music industry and helping new talent break through on a global scale.