Baker BoyTonight DJ Mixa is on the decks laying down the new-wave hip hop hits at Black Bear Lodge. It's almost like experiencing some event for Hit105 as each track brings back memories of when we were getting our first mobile phones in 2007 and listening to Chris Brown before he lost all credibility.
As the crowd starts to sing along to some Kanye, the young and talented Kian (who featured on Baker Boy's debut single Cloud 9) hits the stage, but only briefly. Kian rips through his upcoming debut single with the crowd giving a clear signal that it's going to be huge when it finally comes out.
Kian gets the crowd warmed up in an instant to make way for MC Dallas Woods. Woods has a gritty, real tone to his bars rather than staying on the bopping, positive vibe that Baker Boy is well known for. Woods is a phenomenal mixed bag of an artist who delivers real stories from time spent in the Kimberley region; almost giving off a New York gangster-rap attitude at times, but also using modern trap beats within his set.
While MC Dallas Woods got the crowd in the mood to dance, the real party comes when Baker Boy (Danzal Baker to his crew) hits the stage. Baker has been killing it of late with three huge singles, but his live show sees him killing it on a whole new level. When you see him live, you can't help but smile at this celebration of positive energy through breakdancing and didgeridoo solos. Both Woods and Kian return to the stage, along with a live drummer, and Baker immediately makes the crowd erupt. Opening with the powerful Black Magic, the three members show no restraint and force the crowd - all the way to the back wall of Black Bear Lodge - to bounce in unison. Even breaking into Rage Against The Machine territory as samples of huge guitars ring out in the chorus, the crowd moshes and headbangs.
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Jumping into a remix of Yothu Yindi classic Treaty before dropping Cloud 9, it's starting to get sweaty in here. Baker invites some of his brothers on stage for the first of many breakdance breaks during the set and each of these are greeted with more and more hype. With only a few tracks to his name, it's no surprise when we get to hear a new track. Baker's upcoming single has the positive vibes we expect, but dips into a bit more bravado than we're used to from this artist. Mr La Di Da Di keeps the hype going, but when Marryuna hits it's absolute chaos in the club. 'Marryuna' translates as "to dance with no shame", but that's an understatement when compared to the vibe in Black Bear Lodge with crowd members rewriting their dance repertoire. On stage, the total crew of six put on a grandiose finale of dancing and a didgeridoo solo from Baker - they pull out all stops.
One thing that's obvious throughout the whole set is that Baker is, legitimately, beyond stoked. This is his first headline tour and he absolutely crushes it. We can't wait to see what the future holds for this Aussie-rap gem.
