Need some new tunes on your playlist, these mega-talented young Indigenous music artists are the ones to watch – breaking boundaries and paving the way for future generations.
Emily Wurramura
Emily Wurramura has been penning songs since she was six. A talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist – playing guitar, piano and ukulele. Proudly using her singing to break boundaries blending both English and Annandilyakwa, the traditional language of her home, Groote Eylandt.
Captivating listeners with deeply personal insights into her life, culture and language. Wurramura released her breakout EP ‘Black Smoke’ in 2016 follows by her widely praised debut album ‘Milyakburra’ in 2018. Wurramura has also performed at numerous events and festivals, including BIGSOUND, Woodfork Festival and Garma Festival, to name a few.
Our favourite track – ‘Black Smoke’, the beautifully penned lyrics with a simple, peaceful accompanying instrumental soothing your soul.
Ziggy Ramo
Ziggy’s voice may sound familiar, known throughout the Australian hip hop scene.
Growing up in remote Arnhem Land, regional NSW, Sydney and Perth, Ziggy has family connections spanning to Far North Queensland. Alongside his life experiences, Ziggy has been influenced by the likes of Lauryn Hill and Common, Michael Jackson plus activists like Gary Foley and Adam Goodes.
Ziggy isn’t afraid to confront race relations in modern Australia, using his position to be a positive catalyst of change for future generations, as well as addressing the silenced injustices of Aboriginal Australians and surrounding social issues.
Our favourite track – ‘Pretty Boy’ is a more recent release fitted out with a sleek modern production alongside Ziggy’s smooth vocals making the track a winner. A refreshing perspective, reminding us to be proud of who we are no matter our background, skin colour or gender. As Ziggy raps how in a world full of comparison and trying to fit in, be proud of what makes you, ‘you’.
Kuren
You’ve probably seen him perform at Splendour in the Grass or even Southbound.
Kuren is an exciting young producer out of NSW, since the age of 14 he has been a simmering talent on the electronic scene working with Illy, Sydney Carter, Twerl and Kat Vinter, to name a few.
A Wiradjuri descendant, Kuren closely works with the Indigenous community using his musical talents to support a variety of projects. Including composing music for SBS’s Walkley-Award winning interactive animation, ‘My Grandmother’s Lingo’ (2016) and composing music for the BLACK BOX art installation in Barangaroo.
Our favourite track – ‘Virtual Connectives’
Thelma Plum
Introduced to music by her grandfather while growing up on her grandparent’s farm in the small remote town of Delungra. Plum is back and about to release her upcoming album, wiht plans to set off on a national tour as part of Groovin the Moo 2019.
Her most recent upcoming work will give listeners an even greater unflinching snapshot of life for the Gaamilaraay musician, heard already through ‘Clumsy Love’, ‘Not Angry Anymore‘ and ‘Better in Blak’.
“I wrote Better in Black about my experiences with people trying to take the colour from the conversation.
“My colour is an important part of who I am and over the last couple of years I’ve had people try and tell me “it’s not about colour” when obviously to me it is,” Plum said.
Our favourite track – go check out ‘Better in Blak’
Baker Boy
Baker Boy (aka. Denzel Baker) is a Yolngu dancer, artists and actor hailing from Yurrwi in the Northern Territory making his mark on the Australian Hip Hop/Rap scene.
His tracks ‘Cloud 9’ and ‘Marryuna’ scored a place in Triple J’s Hottest 100 (2018) plus received over 25 awards since their release.
Doing things his way, fusing traditional Yolngu Matha language with cultural elements and modern hip hop. But music is not just his forte, he is also an accomplished dancer with Djuki Mala.
So expect a whole tonne of inspiring and contagious energy, dance and culture.
Our favourite track – get ya groove on with the confidently brimming track, ‘In Control’.
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