Baker Boy

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Baker Boy
Baker Boy performing at Laneway in 2019
Baker Boy performing at Laneway in 2019
Background information
Birth nameDanzal James Baker
Born (1996-10-31) 31 October 1996 (age 24)
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
OriginMilingimbi Island, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • dancer
  • artist
  • actor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • yidaki
Years active2016–present
Associated acts
Websitewww.bakerboyofficial.com

Danzal James Baker OAM (born 31 October 1996), known professionally as Baker Boy, is an Indigenous Australian rapper, dancer, artist, and actor. A Yolngu man, Baker Boy is known for performing original hip-hop songs incorporating both English and Yolŋu Matha.

He was made Young Australian of the Year in 2019, and his song "Cool as Hell" was nominated in several categories in the 2019 ARIA Awards. In 2018, he won two awards at the National Indigenous Music Awards, and was named Male Artist of the Year in the National Dreamtime Awards.

Early life[]

Danzal James Baker[1] was born in Darwin, Northern Territory, and grew up in the Arnhem Land communities of Milingimbi and Maningrida.[2] His totem is the Olive python, his moiety is Dhuwa and his skin name is Burralung / Gela boy.[3]

He completed Year 12 at Shalom Christian College in Townsville, Queensland, before attending the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.[4][5] He developed his love of dancing and acting there, and was an original member of the Djuki Mala dance troupe, which toured Australia.[3]

In 2016, Baker appeared on the "Indigenous" episode of the first series of Australian television series You Can't Ask That on ABC TV.[6][7]

In 2016, Baker Boy featured in the video for "Yolngu Style", a modern contemporary dance music video created by a group of artists to inspire the world to dance, move and absorb the Yolngu style.[8]

Personal life[]

Baker has one brother.[9]

Baker currently resides in Bendigo, Victoria,[10] with his partner Aurie Spencer-Gill and his bulldog.[10][11]

He has said that he wants to be an inspiration to indigenous kids living in remote communities, and to combat "shame."[12]

Career[]

In 2017, Baker Boy attracted national attention as the winner of the Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) Competition.[13] releasing the singles "Cloud 9" featuring Kian and "Marryuna" featuring Yirrmal in the same year. Both singles were featured in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017.[14]

Baker Boy performing at the Riddu Riđđu Festival in Norway, 2018.

In 2018, he performed with acts such as Yothu Yindi and Dizzee Rascal.[15]

He performed as an opening act for American rapper 50 Cent in January 2018, along with A.B. Original.[16][17]

His third single, "Mr. La Di Da Di" was released in April 2018.[citation needed] "Black Magic" featuring Dallas Woods, was released in July 2018.[citation needed]

On 25 January 2019, Baker released "Cool as Hell"[18] Two days later, "Mr. La Di Da Di" was voted into Triple J's Hottest 100 of. 2018.

In June 2019, Baker released "In Control".[19] On 7 July, Baker Boy appeared on the children's television show, Play School and performed "Hickory Dickory Dock" as part of NAIDOC Week.[20]

Baker Boy was the headline act at the opening night of the 2019 Tarnanthi exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the Art Gallery of South Australia on 17 October 2019, performing outside the Gallery on North Terrace, Adelaide.[21]

Baker made his acting debut in True History of the Kelly Gang, released in cinemas in early January 2019 and later released on streaming service provider Stan from 26 January.[22]

On 16 September 2020, Baker began teasing a new song on social media, posting images of himself alongside Dallas Woods and Sampa the Great.[23] On 23 September 2020, Baker released the single "Better Days".[23]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details
Gela

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles, with year released, selected certifications and album name shown
Title Year Certifications Album
"Cloud 9"
(featuring Kian) 		2017 Non-album singles
"Marryuna"
(featuring Yirrmal)
"Mr. La Di Da Di"[24] 2018
"Black Magic"
(featuring Dallas Woods)
"Cool as Hell" 2019 Gela
"In Control"[27] Non-album single
"Meditjin"
(featuring JessB) 		Gela
"Move"[28] 2020
"Better Days"
(with Dallas Woods and Sampa the Great) 		Non-album single
"Ride"
(featuring Yirrmal)[29] 		2021 Gela
"My Mind"
(featuring G Flip)[30]

As featured artist[]

List of singles as featured artist, with year released and album shown
Title Year Album
"Treaty '18"
(Yothu Yindi & Gavin Campbell featuring Baker Boy) 		2018 Non-album single

Filmography[]

List of film and television appearances, with year released and role shown
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 True History of the Kelly Gang Uncredited [22]
2019 Play School Himself Performed "Hickory Dickory Dock" [20]

Music videos[]

List of music videos, with year released and director(s) shown
Title Year Director
"Cloud 9"
(featuring Kian) 		2017 Not known
"Marryuna"
(featuring Yirrmal) 		Daniel King
"Black Magic"
(featuring Dallas Woods) 		2018 BraydenFunFilm
"Cool as Hell" 2019 Gabriel Gasparinatos
"In Control"
"Meditjin"
(featuring Jess B)
"Move" 2020 Freya Esders

Awards and nominations[]

AIR Awards[]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best Independent Artist Nominated [31][32]
"Marryuna" Best Independent Single or EP Nominated
Himself Breakthrough Independent Artist Won

APRA Awards[]

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually. Baker Boy has been nominated for two award.[33]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Marryuna" Urban Work of the Year Nominated [34]
2020 "Cool as Hell" Most Performed Urban Work of the Year Nominated [35]

ARIA Music Awards[]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Baker Boy was nominated for three categories,[36][37] and received three more nominations in 2020.[38][39]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Cool as Hell" Best Hip Hop Release Nominated
Best Video Nominated
Cool as Hell Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
2020 "Meditjin" (featuring JessB) Best Hip Hop Release Nominated
Best Video Nominated
Falls Festival Best Australian Live Act Nominated

J Awards[]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Himself Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated [40]

MTV Europe Music Awards[]

The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Himself Best Australian Act Nominated [41]

Music Victoria Awards[]

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. The commenced in 2005.[42][43]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best Solo Act Nominated
Best Male Musician Won
Best Live Act Won
Best Hip Hop Act Nominated
Victorian Breakthrough Act Won
Archie Roach Award for Emerging Talent Nominated
"Marryuna" Best Song Won
2019 Himself Best Solo Act Nominated
2020 "Move" Best Victorian Song Nominated [44][45]
Himself Best Solo Artist Nominated

National Dreamtime Awards[]

The National Dreamtime Awards, (also known as The Dreamtime Awards), are an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in sport, arts, academic and community.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Male Artist of the Year Won [46]

National Indigenous Music Awards[]

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) recognise excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Northern Territory music industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best New Talent Won [47]
"Marryuna" Film Clip of the Year Won
Song of the Year Nominated
2019 Himself Artist of the Year Won [48][49]
"Black Magic" Song of the Year Nominated
2020 Himself Artist of the Year Won [50][51][52][53]
"Meditjin" (featuring JessB) Film Clip of the Year Won
Song of the Year Won
2021 Himself Artist of the Year Pending [54]
"Better Days" (with Dallas Woods & Sampa The Great) Song of the Year Pending
"Ride" (featuring Yirrmal) Film Clip of the Year Pending

National Live Music Awards[]

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Live Act of the Year Won [55][56]
Best New Act Nominated
Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Won
Northern Territory Live Act of the Year Won
2019 Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Nominated [57][58]
Northern Territory Live Act of the Year Won

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition[]

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[59]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
"Meditjin" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 2nd [60]

Young Australian of the Year 2019[]

In 2019, Baker Boy was awarded Young Australian of the Year.[61] He delivered his acceptance speech in both English and Yolngu Matha.[22][62]

Order of Australia Medal[]

In the 2021 Australia Day Honours, Baker was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts as a singer and musician.[63]

Tours[]

Baker has performed at festivals such as , Groovin' the Moo, the Woodford Folk Festival, Laneway Festival, WOMADelaide, and Golden Plains Festival.[64]

References[]

  1. ^ Eliezer, Christie (9 July 2018). "Baker Boy, Gurrumul, take out multi-wins at NT Song of the Year". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  2. ^ Howie, Tamara (16 July 2017). "Arnhem Land rapper Danzal Baker making impact on Australian music scene". Northern Territory News. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Baker Boy – Triple J Unearthed". Triple J Unearthed. 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. ^ Carleton, James (28 May 2017). "Baker Boy: Rapping in an Indigenous language". ABC Radio National. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
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  7. ^ "ABC series explores the public perceptions of Indigenous Australia". Samaritans. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  8. ^ "IHHP – Yolngu Style". 5 July 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2020 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Mathieson, Craig (25 January 2020). "Expectations high for fabulous Baker Boy and his new album in 2020". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b O'Brien, Kerrie (8 August 2020). "Baker Boy scoops the pool at the National Indigenous Music Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
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  18. ^ Cool as Hell - Single by Baker Boy, retrieved 25 January 2019
  19. ^ "In Control - single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
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  25. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  26. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
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  28. ^ "Move – Single by Baker Boy on Apple Music". Apple Music. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
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  30. ^ Bracken, Clare (15 July 2021). "First Spin: Baker Boy ft. G Flip introduce you to 'My Mind'". Triple J. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
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  39. ^ "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  40. ^ "J Awards: 2017". Triple J. 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  41. ^ Triscari, Caleb (8 October 2020). "The Kid Laroi, Baker Boy, G Flip and more nominated for MTV EMA Best Australian Act". NME Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria Awards. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  43. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria Awards. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Industry Awards winners and Hall of Fame inductees revealed + 2020 Music Victoria Awards nominees announced with public voting now open!". Music Victoria Awards. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
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  46. ^ "Dream of love, and success will come (pp32-34)" (PDF). The Koori Mail. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
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  50. ^ "Announcement: National Indigenous Music Awards finalists unveiled". Noise11. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  51. ^ "2020 Finalists". National Indigenous Music Awards. July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  52. ^ Gooley, Cameron (8 August 2020). "Baker Boy wins top prize at National Indigenous Music Awards, Ruby Hunter inducted into Hall of Fame". ABC News. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  53. ^ "National Indigenous Music Awards 2020: Baker Boy wins second artist of the year title". The Guardian. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  54. ^ Cashmere, Paul (8 July 2021). "NIMA Nominees Revealed". noise11. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  55. ^ "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". National Live Music Awards. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  56. ^ "Winners of the 2018 NLMAs". National Live Music Awards. December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  57. ^ "Here are your 2019 National Live Music Awards nominees!". National Live Music Awards. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  58. ^ "And the winners of the 2019 National Live Music Awards are..." National Live Music Awards. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  59. ^ "About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  60. ^ "Thelma Plum's "Better in Blak" wins Vanda & Young Songwriting Comp". Billboard. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  61. ^ "Australian of the Year Awards – 2019 Recipients". Australian of the Year. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  62. ^ Kelly, Barb (25 January 2019). "Baker Boy is named 2019 Young Australian of the Year". ABC News. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  63. ^ "Mr Danzal BAKER". It's an Honour. Australian Government. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  64. ^ "Laneway adds Pond, Kirin J Callinan, Client Liaison, Stella Donnelly, Baker Boy & more". The Music. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.

External links[]

External video
video icon One Plus One: Baker Boy, One Plus One, ABC News
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