EXCLUSIVE: Baker Boy Talks Writing Process, #Changethedate & Announces Aussie Tour

Welcome back to pRhymetime! Now let’s not dwell on the highs and lows of the year past. I want to jump straight into 2018 cos well… let’s just say,  we know there are some incredible artists doing such beautifully creative things this year and ya’ll aren’t even ready!

The pRhymetime line up is already looking fresh and healthy, lyrical prowess is forever being pushed and challenged by both Hip Hop listeners and artists alike, I believe a city is represented by its music and damn I’m excited for some soundtracks! So with that in mind I had to kick the year off with an MC that’s been taking over my news feed for weeks; Danzel Baker, aka Baker Boy.

“Things are crazy, I’ve never been so busy in my life!” Baker tells me. “I’m having so much fun man. I’m on the set shooting for Marryuna right now, I’m just so excited!”

If you’re not already across what the Darwin born (specifically Milingimbi) MC’s all about, he won a little competition called the Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards last year, as well as dropping absolute banger Cloud 9 (featuring Kian) and single Marryuna. He’s played WOMAD, Woodford Folk, Laneway Festival and this year is playing with a couple of small name acts like Yothu Yindi, Dizzee Rascal and 50 Cent (also accompanied by Hip Hop royalty AB Original)… Got your attention yet? Baker tells me about his story, his aspirations and breaks down for me how he’s able to connect with such a huge fan base while rapping in his mother tongue Yolngu Matha.

“My dad and his brothers were dancing in Arnhem land back in the 80’s. In a way, they kind of brought hip hop culture to the top end (of the Northern Territory) and that made differences for the brothers and sisters over there. It offered a freedom to be who you are, express yourself through this music and just have fun. I was all about the 4 elements (that’s breakdancing, rapping, Djing and graffitiing for you playing along at home) and while it often talks about struggle, hardship and negativity, it made life easier for me and gave me a positive mentality.”

It’s depressing to think why a 20-year-old can relate to such hardships in life. But it’s also nothing new in this country and the way Baker talks about his music, is actually overtly passionate and positive. As he continues to talk about his passion I’m optimistic this unity he’s endorsing may be infectious. I asked about the track Marryuna and what the film clip he’s currently shooting is about.

“In Yolngu Matha, Marryuna means ‘dancing.’ Everyone loves dancing, whatever the genre is! Music has its own world and when we listen to it together we all go to that world. That’s something we can celebrate through singing and dancing you know?” 

In doing a little pre-research I watched a clip of Baker Boy at the Triple J Unearthed Live at the Steps and man! The rapper break dances in between verses! It’s not often you see a rapper top rock a six-step into his set!

“Well before all of this I had been touring with Djuki Mala performing in front of thousands of people internationally and abroad which really helped me with my experience… but really I just loved it! We started working with Indigenous hip hop projects where we went through remote communities talking about healthy lifestyles. Teaching kids to be self-sustained, being proud and comfortable in their identity but also in cultural ways like knowledge of the land. Knowledge is power you know and we actually got to teach these communities while learning with them. That’s when I started saying to myself; I’m going to start rapping. I had brother boys that helped, supported, beat boxed, whatever! I just wanted to keep getting better, so I started practicing. At one point I went back home (to Arnhem Land) to film a clip for Dance Victoria but while we had free time, we recorded a track which ended up being Cloud 9. It was then that we went ‘let’s do this! Let’s show them our land and community!’ From there we went 0 to 100 real quick!”

At only 20 I wondered if the pressure of the industry had already shadowed over his thoughts. It can’t be easy so quickly rising to ‘fame,’ touring and instantly rising to pressures of fans wanting more. More music, more shows, more Baker Boy?

“At the start I guess I had to question myself. I had to double and triple check things and actually ask myself what I wanted. I really fell in love with hip hop as a culture not just the music. So I threw myself into all of it you know? Struggle, freedom of speech, freedom through movement. It encouraged me to make more music so I didn’t really feel that pressure. I wanted to show what I have and give out that Arnhem Land feeling, tell my story you know?”

One of Baker’s unique traits to his style is transitioning between English and Yolngu Matha. Are you forever being asked the definition of your lyrics?

“Yeah, definitely! But Yolngu Matha also goes out to remote communities in Arnhem Land which they understand. It tells the youth about what’s going on over here and to listen to the story... But it also shows the world that Australia still has its native tongues, there are a lot of different languages in this country and that’s something to be celebrated!”

At this point I’m going to point something out. Most MC’s either rap to a beat or have a beat they then rap to. When I asked Baker which was his creative process he tells me.

“It’s easier for me to write in my old language. English is my second language so while obviously I use it I prefer to write in my home dialect. That means that I actually have to translate my lyrics to my producer too! It’s all messages too, it’s not just… random words… there are messages in there.”

Imagine writing a verse, translating the verse, then rewriting it again to rhyme it suitably! Needless to say it’s some pretty impressive stuff. Baker has been announced for the massive upcoming 50 Cent tour also supported by AB Original. With Australia Day just around the corner I wanted to get his thoughts on the significant changing of the date of the Hottest 100.

“For me personally I don’t celebrate on January 26. We all feel pain and loss, we think of our ancestors and what our people have been through. We pay our respects as Indigenous people of Australia, showing love and gratitude to people that fought for this land.”

Now AB Original has had a huge part in the movement of triple j changing the date of the 100, one which I personally believe they should be commended for. In fact a lot of Australians had their say in the Triple J poll asking the question to change or not to change. But when not a week later, Triple M announced their disgusting….

“Actually changing the date makes it better for us too!” he cuts me off. “We want to celebrate being Australian and celebrate with everyone, but we all need to feel comfortable in doing that…”

He makes such a good point. I was about to go calling out a radio station that roars a whole lot more grunt than little old pRhymetime. But it’s not about aggression and pointing the finger. Baker instantly reminded me that celebrating Australia (or more importantly our cultural identity) is inclusive of absolutely everyone, and can be done respectfully. So with that said you can keep your grunt Triple M, come join the big kids table when you’re finished sulking.

So what’s next for this incredible MC on the verge of taking over 2018 in only January? What’s it like to be named on a national tour with one of the most iconic names in Hip Hop to date?

“These are people that I’ve listened to my whole life! It’s a huge honour for me to open for these acts and play alongside these artists. These are the people that inspire me you know? I’m so excited I can’t wait! But also, I get to show big American acts what we do in Australia, especially Indigenous people. I’m now in the process of making my debut album. It will hopefully be finished around the middle of the year and man, I just can’t wait to share my story with the world… Living in two worlds...” he ponders. “What I’ve been seeing, hearing, feeling… I just can’t wait for that day to come.”

I was so inspired after talking to Baker and his management, I asked if I could share a little more of the Baker Boy story. They kindly agreed to share a little announcement with you fellow Hip Hop heads; Baker Boys national tour (see below).

Biggups Baker Boy and seriously peeps, don’t sleep on these dates.

Baker Boy's Australian shows kick off on 26 January and run right through to 17 March; for more details, head to theGuide.