That fabulous Baker Boy
THE FRESH PRINCE OF ARNHEM LAND IS A TOP CONTENDER AT THE INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS
The “Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land” Baker Boy is one of the leading nominees for the 2018 National Indigenous Music Awards.
IT WAS almost a year ago when Baker Boy floored the Australian music community with phenomenal rapping and dancing skills at the National Indigenous Music Awards.
Now he is one of the leading nominees for the 2018 NIMAs, alongside the late great Gurrumul with his historic No.1 final studio record Djarimirri.
Baker Boy has captured Australia’s heart with his single Marryuna, performed in his native language Yolngu Matha, reaching the top 20 of this year’s Hottest 100.
Dubbed the “Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land”, the dancer turned rapper who also plays the didgeridoo, he been nominated for Best New Talent, Song and Film Clip of the Year.
The song’s success also landed Baker Boy the opening spot on 50 Cent’s Australian tour, festival slots and his own headlining tour in June.
Marryuna is now an explosive highlight of Baker Boy’s live set, one of those songs guaranteed to whip a crowd into a singing, dancing mosh.
“Now, it’s really fun performing Marryuna, to see everybody enjoying that music and the dancing with a big smile on their faces,” he said.
“Everyone’s having fun and it’s important to show off the indigenous culture in Australia in that way.”
Baker has also got audiences raving about his remix of the Yothu Yindi iconic protest anthem Treaty.
He now features on a new 25th anniversary remix released for NAIDOC Week called Treaty ‘18 jam by Yothu Yindi and Filthy Lucre’s Gavin Campbell.
It also features Dhapanbal Yunupingu – daughter of the band’s late frontman Dr M Yunupingu – and stunning Yolngu vocalist Yirrnga Yunupingu, as well as an additional rap in the third verse from Baker Boy’s MC and collaborator, Dallas Woods.
“Treaty makes me think about home and the Yothu Yindi family,” Baker said.
“I feel privileged and honoured to make a pretty cool track, I want to make a difference through my songs as well because that makes a difference for me.”
The roll call for the 2018 NIMAs reflects the depth and growing profile of indigenous artists and phenomenal achievements of the past year from the No.1 debut of Gurrumul’s Djarimirri to Jessica Mauboy performing at Eurovision.
The 2018 NIMAs will be held at Darwin Amphitheatre on August 11. Album of the Year Dan Sultan – Killer Emily Wurramara – Milyakburra Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) Kardajala Kirridarra – Kardajala Kirridarra Kuren – Melting Conceptually Song of the Year Baker Boy – Marryuna Busby Marou – Days of Gold Dan Sultan – Kingdom Gurrumul – Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) Kardajala Kirridarra – Ngurra Artist of the Year A.B. Original Archie Roach Electric Fields Gurrumul Jessica Mauboy