Indigenous Australian rapper/dancer/actor Baker Boy has taken the Australian musical landscape by storm and is now taking his music worldwide – currently on tour in Europe. Born in Darwin and raised in the remote Northern Territorian communities Yurrwi (formerly known as Milingimbi and Maningrida), the young Baker Boy is known locally in Arnhem Land and beyond as the “Fresh New Prince” – the freshest new Yolngu hip-hop talent from the Top End. Young, strong and proud Baker Boy is the first rapper to break through to the mainstream to rap in his Yolngu Matha language representing his Arnhem Land bloodlines, as well as partially in the English language too. Baker Boy is known as a multi-talented artist, working across rap, dance, acting, and graffiti, inspiring younger generations to embrace their culture and become leaders in their communities.
Baker Boy rose to national prominence after winning the National Indigenous Music Award and released the two massive singles “Cloud 9” and “Marryuna” that both landed in the national end of year Top 100 all genres music countdown, in at #76 and #17. This makes Baker Boy the second-highest ever-ranking Indigenous artists in the Hottest 100 countdown history in Australia, narrowly behind A.B. Original’s excellent politically charged “January 26” in 2017. Baker Boy’s “Marryuna” was the first song ever to place in the Top 20 that was performed in an Indigenous language.
Marryuna was the second highly anticipated single from Arnhem Land’s ascending hip-hop star Baker Boy. Marryuna – pronounced Mar/re/ooh/na; verb; meaning – Let’s Dance. In Yolngu, culture dance plays a pivotal role. There’s ceremonial dance, celebratory dance and then there’s Marryuna; to dance with no shame, to freestyle for the sheer elation of dancing.
Baker Boy has just finished his solo Australian tour, is on tour to Europe next month before returning to Australia to play the domestic festival circuit – capping off an impressive past year which saw him supporting Dizzee Rascal, 50 Cent and touring extensively solo and on the festival circuit. His debut album is set for release later this year, stay tuned.
