Top End rap song makes waves in hip-hop scene

Inspired by his struggles in Palmerston, Yung Milla has released his new track ‘Land Down Under’.

A rap song inspired by the ‘violence and struggles’ of Palmerston is making waves across the nation’s hip-hop scene.

The younger brother of established rapper J-Milla, Yung Milla, 20, released his hip-hop single ‘Land Down Under’ this month – but unlike the original iconic anthem, the new single is less paradise and more gangster.

It draws inspiration from the urban landscape of Palmerston, a place where ‘violence and temptation are real and ever present’. I

“Land Down Under is a song about my crew, and the town where I grew up,” Yung Milla said.

“Like a lot of places up here it’s got problems and we get through by sticking together and staying strong, trying make it out, looking up rather than down.”

Declan Byrne of triple j praised the “smooth” release.

“Full of longing and lust, it’s two minutes that hook you in.”

Yung Milla, who has struggled with the law himself, said he wanted to “head to the top”.

“I’m a young man trying to right my wrongs,” he said.

“I’ve still got stuff to deal with, and it ain’t easy to live with that.

“Here in my land down under it makes me want to head for the top and take my boys with me.

“We will always look out for each other – we tight.”

Yung Milla now works as an Adventure Therapist and with Saltbush Social Enterprises – an accommodation centre for young Aboriginal men on bail from detention.

His new release also features an official music video directed by Tully Hemsley which is set against a backdrop of Darwin CBD.

Yung Milla most recently opened for Grammy-winning hip hop pioneers Naughty By Nature at their Darwin show.