J-Milla, Yung Milla and Kootsie Don shine at Wadeye’s Yidiyi festival 2024

Forget Taylor Swift or Troye Sivan, if you ask a kid in Wadeye who their favourite artist is, you’ll likely get a different answer.

Rappers J-Milla and Yung Milla received a rock star welcome in the remote NT community of Wadeye, returning to perform at the 2024 Yidiyi festival. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Forget Taylor Swift or Troye Sivan, if you ask a kid in Wadeye who their favourite artist is, you’ll likely get a different answer: J-Milla.

The streets of the remote Territory community were buzzing with the rapper’s name on the weekend, ahead of an energetic performance alongside brother Yung Milla at Yidiyi festival on Saturday night.

Rappers Yung Milla and J-Milla in Wadeye for Yidiyi festival. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“When we do these shows, it’s mainly about the children,” J-Milla, aka Jacob Nichaloff said.

“They’re the ones that we kind of need to inspire in communities like this, because they’re the future.

“These mob out here have very limited resources – they’ve got no sports going on, they’ve got no entertainment, they’ve got no source of hope in modern society, I feel. So if we come out here, and we bring what we bring, it’s nothing but love and motivation to inspire at least one child.”

Excited was an understatement … Yung Milla performs at Yidiyi in Wadeye. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Yung Milla, the stage name of Levi Nichaloff, agreed: “You hear stories out here and they’re really bad stories, and you come out here and you’re seeing happy faces”.

It was also special for the Darwin-born brothers to be able to perform together for a Territory crowd.

“It’s amazing, when we were younger, we’d be rapping in our bedroom. Now we’re rapping on stage in front of heaps of people – it’s hard to imagine how it feels,” Yung Milla said.

Kootsie Don said she hoped to inspire young girls interested in rap and hip hop, as the Darwin born artist returned to Wadeye for Yidiyi festival 2024. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Another highlight from Saturday’s performance was Larrakia, Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander rapper Kootsie Don, aka Lakesha Grant.

She said it meant a lot to be able to grow her connection with the local community, after first appearing at Yidiyi last year.

“This year, these girls are messaging me and saying, ‘Oh, you’re coming back!’ … I’m just excited to further develop our relationship between me and the girls,” she said.

“I was that little girl, you know, looking at these performers like, wow, I wish I could do that.

“It just wasn’t normal back then for a female to be doing those sorts of things … I didn’t discover my power until I was old enough to see that I can do this too.

“So I hope that I can be that inspiration to these young girls.”

Territory superstars touch down in Wadeye as Yidiyi festival returns

November 2: Musical and sporting superstars will touch down in Wadeye this weekend for the return of Yidiyi festival, celebrating Territory talent and unity in the remote Aboriginal community.

Mak Mak Marranunggu rapper J-Milla, alongside brother Yung Milla, is set to headline Saturday night’s free concert, marking his triumphant return to Wadeye after a series of historic shows credited with quelling unrest in the troubled town.

Celebrated Yolngu musician Andrew Gurruwiwi Band is also on the line up, as well as Larrakia, Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander actor, hip-hop artist and songwriter Kootsie Don.

On Friday, footy legends Anthony McDonald Tipungwuti (Essendon), Jayden Fox (Carlton) and Lauren Taylor (SANFL) hosted an AFL footy clinic for the local kids.

They also judged Wadeye’s footy grand final on Friday night, scouting possible talent to be trained down south.

Kardu Diminin senior Elder Margaret Perdjert at home in Wadeye. Picture: Jason Walls

Traditional owner Margaret Perdjert said Yidiyi helped bring people together amid challenging times.

“Yidiyi is a sacred word for us, we do this festival to make our people happy,” she said.

“As time goes on, we are losing many people to major cities and our community we feel is crumbling.

“It’s very hard for us to be beacons of a better future when we have not managed to get any new initiatives of the ground. Until Yidiyi festival this has bought my people together and gives the young people something exciting to look for in the community.

“We have had hard times with major conflict, we have had to heal as community as one big family. This festival brings us together through our culture and performance from special guests for my people to enjoy.

“This feeling is bigger than words I can describe in the English language.”

Yidiyi festival returns in 2024 with a star studded line-up.

Kardu Diminin traditional owner Steven Pultchen said it was “a big job” caring for the community of 22 different clans, but he was proud of what Wadeye had achieved.

“Our community has faced many challenges over the years, but we are fighting for real change and a happy and safe Wadeye for all community members,” Mr Pultchen said.

“We always appreciate J-Milla’s support and ask that you continue to help us as we continue to improve Wadeye through the Yidiyi festival.

“This festival is a good dream for my people.”