Darwin hip-hop star Kootsie Don in triumphant return to Top End for Wadeye’s Yidiyi festival
The Larrakia, Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander actor, hip-hop artist and songwriter will join fellow Territory sensation J-MILLA on this weekend’s bill.
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Musical and sporting superstars will touch down in Wadeye this weekend for the inaugural Yidiyi festival.
Mak Mak Marranungu rapper J-MILLA is set to headline Saturday night’s concert after a number of successful shows in the remote community in recent months.
Joining him on the bill is Larrakia, Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander actor, hip-hop artist and songwriter Kootsie Don, who will also be running a workshop to help empower the community’s girls.
“It’s about teaching them strength within themselves so they can be strong for their families and basically looking after your body so you can look after your mind and be strong,” she said.
“Being able to be a role model for these young sister girls, it means so much.
“I grew up in the NT as well and I know what it’s like here and to be able to share my strength with these young ladies, it’s very special.”
The now Sydney based performer’s triumphant return to the Top End comes on the back of a collaboration with Malyangapa and Barkindji singer BARKAA for a new documentary celebrating the Australian women’s soccer team.
She said the song, titled What you gonna do, would feature in the film Trailblazers and was ”about empowering the women and the team”.
“It’s just about obviously geeing them up, getting ready to play as well as empowering them because in the sporting world it’s not equal between men and women,” she said.
Also performing on Saturday are Yung Milla, Radical Son, the Nangu Red Sunset Band and DJ Charly following a footy clinic with AFL stars Shane McAdam, Jy Farrar and Ash Johnson.
Trailblazers and What you gonna do are set to be released early next year.
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