Musicians Honour Cassius Turvey With 'Forever Fifteen'

CONTENT WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following story contains images of a person who has died. 

Emily Wurramura, Emma Donovan, Deline Briscoe, Kee'ahn, Bumpy, DRMNGNOW, MC's Bryte and Flewnt, Tani Walker, Jamahl Ryder, MissGenius, Optamus, and Candice Lorrae of The Merindas have released the track Forever Fifteen. 

Produced by Dobby and co-produced with Candy Suite, the song is in honour of Noongar Yamatji boy Cassius Turvey. His mother, Aunty Mechelle Turvey, and more family and friends lent their voices to the music.

Turvey died from injuries sustained in an unprovoked attack while walking home from school last month. He was just 15 years old. As he was walking home from school with friends in Middle Swan, Perth, on 13 October, it is alleged that a car with several men approached the boys and attacked them with weapons, including a metal pole. 

Turvey passed away following two strokes and a brain bleed before falling into an induced coma. 

Last Friday, Turvey's family and community held his funeral in an emotional ceremony. 

Now, there's a song for him, Forever Fifteen, which all the artists involved in creating are honoured to be a part of. "I am so honoured to be a part of this track alongside so many deadly brothers and sisters. Sending Big love to the family for allowing us to do this for Brother Cassius. The ending makes me cry, so special. So So much love," Emily Wurramura said on social media last night.

"Words can't express the hurt and pain we as mob feel for young brother Cassius and his family," Dobby began in a separate statement. "I’m deeply saddened and honoured to have been a part of this song, and I hope these vibrations can help paint a clearer picture of the impact his loss has had on all of us, especially his community. My heartfelt condolences go out to Mechelle and the family."

Tani Walker posted lyrics from the song, "Holding on to your strong spirit we feel it, let it guide and move you through wrapping our arms around you...... dancing in the dreaming Forever 15," and called it a privilege to be part of such a special tribute for young Cassius.

Kee'ahn also posted about the honour, "He was a deadly rapper (the bacon busta) and beat maker, and started a community mowing business with his friends. A beautiful soul."

"Listening to this track invokes many emotions but also heals," Flewnt posted on Instagram.

Listen to Forever Fifteen below.