Raised in the remote Arnhem Land communities of Milingimbi and Maningrida, Danzal Baker’s connection to music has always run deep.
In 2017, the world was introduced to Baker Boy after he won the triple j Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards. Since then, it’s been non-stop for the 28-year-old Yolŋu musician.
In 2021, he released his debut album, Gela, which saw him dominate the ARIAs, winning five awards including Album Of The Year. A solid hip-hop album with a beautiful blend of traditional elements and contemporary sounds, it was no wonder that Gela was so well-received.
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This November, Baker Boy will be headlining BLAKTIVISM, a powerful event presented as part of this year’s ALWAYS LIVE program, that combines a celebration of Blak Cultures with activism and showcases some of the biggest names on the First Nations music scene.
“I’m probably in the best place I’ve ever been in,” Baker says, reflecting on the last few whirlwind years. “At the start of 2023, I made a decision to try and slow down a bit and to make music, but also get to be at home with my partner and my dog and to get to go back north to see family.”
Despite this slower pace, Baker Boy has been far from idle. He’s been working behind the scenes, spending time in the studio and even a few months in LA, crafting new music and evolving his sound.
“I think just getting some balance and doing some cool life and music shit has made my music better. I’m in a really good headspace and itching to get back on stage and to keep getting bigger and better.” His passion and determination are palpable and it’s clear that this hunger for growth is a driving force behind his success.
Looking back, Baker recalls his career highlights. Hearing the audience sing lyrics in Yolŋu Matha back to him was one, as well as the recent release of his single KING in which he rapped in three different languages: English, Yolŋu Matha and Burarra, his mother’s native tongue. A particularly thrilling milestone came recently when he received an email from American pop-rock titans Imagine Dragons asking him to feature on their single Take Me To The Beach.
“I was actually in the studio when the email came through, the guys shared the track and we instantly dropped everything to work on my verse. Smashed it out in an afternoon and they loved it. It felt kind of surreal, like almost too easy.
“But for real, it’s huge – I mean, Imagine Dragons! A feature like this is something that you know would be epic, but you’re not expecting it to happen. It’s really special for me to get to share Yolŋu Matha with such a big international audience. Fingers crossed I get the chance to perform it live with them one day.”
Collaboration has been a key part of Baker Boy’s journey, particularly his long-term partnerships with producers Pip Norman and Rob Amoruso. Their shared creative energy has allowed Baker to feel free and experiment in the studio.
“Those guys just know me so well and we can just be chatting shit in the studio and something completely random comes up and we instantly all know it’s sparked an idea for a track,” he says. Another source of support and inspiration is his partner, Aurie.
“She empowers me to push for the things I believe in… Aurie really believes in the Baker Boy project, I think having someone who believes in you so much is invaluable because we collaborate so much and she understands every detail of the project.”
Looking ahead to BLAKTIVISM 2024, the fourth annual event held at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Baker Boy is excited to perform alongside an impressive lineup of First Nations artists, such as Yirrmal and Tasman Keith.
“It’s such an epic event. I went along last year when King Stingray headlined and it was so powerful to be in the audience and experience really powerful storytelling. It’s a great show for mob to come together and celebrate and share, for it to be collaborative and creative and a really safe space for us as musicians,” he says.
BLAKTIVISM isn’t just about the music – it’s about giving artists a platform to express their stories and truths while offering audiences the opportunity to listen and learn.
When asked about the challenges facing First Nations artists in the music industry today, Baker acknowledges the ongoing issue of tokenism. “I can only speak on my experiences.
“I think maybe not the biggest challenge, but probably one that is the most ongoing and can be really draining is a certain level of tokenism. I have been in too many situations having to explain to people that things aren’t culturally safe or feeling like they are trying to make me come across as more ‘Aboriginal’.
“People assume I want black, red and yellow colour schemes for everything or expect me to educate them rather than doing their own research. Describing me as ‘Aboriginal artist, Baker Boy’ rather than Yolŋu. They might seem like small things, but when it’s a consistent ignorance that can be exhausting.”
Baker Boy’s role as a trailblazer for young First Nations artists is one he embraces. His advice to those who look up to him is sincere: “Remember, you can be more than one thing. I am Yolŋu, but I am also a 28-year-old man who loves playing video games, watching anime and hanging out with my dog and partner.
“I love playing golf, making music, telling stories and being creative. I love my culture, my childhood and how I was brought up. I feel emotions. I face challenges that aren’t related to race. I have low days and huge, great ones. I am Yolŋu but it’s important to remember that humans are multi-faceted. Don’t feel pressure to up your ‘Aboriginality’. Don’t allow people to tokenise you or put you in a box… You don’t have to be everything to everyone all the time.”
As Baker Boy’s music continues to evolve, so does his identity as an artist. Comparing his earlier work to Gela and his more recent releases like KING, you can hear the growth and maturity in his sound.
“I’ve been joking that Baker Boy is growing up, he’s becoming Baker Man,” he says of this evolution, hinting that his upcoming music will showcase this development further.
While he remains tight-lipped about specifics, he teases, “There is definitely music, I don’t think I can hide that, but nothing specific to share just yet, nothing new this year. I’m just itching to get back on the stage, looking forward to BLAKTIVISM, celebrating with my crew and all the mob. It’s going to be a huge night.”
To see Baker Boy headline BLAKTIVISM 2024, grab tickets here.
