Hip-hop artist Danzal Baker bridges cultures and generations

The young singer from Arnhem Land is booked to appear as a support act to global hip hop stars 50 Cent and Dizzee Rascal.

Danzal Baker with his uncle Jeremiah Baker and his father, Josiah Baker, in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Picture: David Geraghty

Indigenous hip hop artist Danzal Baker has found an attention-grabbing way to unify black and white Australia — by rapping in both English and Yolngu Matha, his traditional language.

The young singer from Arnhem Land has released only two songs but is booked to appear next month as a support act to global hip hop stars 50 Cent and Dizzee Rascal, and his esteem among members of the Australian music industry is ascending at a steep clip.

“What I’m about is bridging the two worlds together,” said the 21-year-old, who performs as Baker Boy.

While filming a music video for his track Marryuna (“Dance”) in Melbourne this week, Baker enlisted guest appearances from the original Baker Boys, his father ­Josiah and his uncle Jeremiah. The dancing brothers were well known in the 1990s for their explosive, ­innovative style.

“I wanted to show everyone that I’m not the first Baker Boy, and where the name comes from,” he said.

“My Dad and uncle are the real Baker Boys, so I got them down to be a part of the film clip. They helped me out big time, dancing-wise.”

The video will accompany a muscular track that is backed by punchy beats and the drone of a Yolngu musical instrument known as a yidaki.

“I’m a proud black Yolngu boy with the killer flow,” raps Baker Boy at high speed.

“Listen to the yidaki, listen to it blow.”

It was fitting that the young man reached out to his father and uncle to ask whether they could show off a few of the synchronised, hip hop-influenced moves that so captivated judges and impressed the crowds at dance competitions throughout the Northern Territory two decades ago.

“This is one of the greatest moments in my history, seeing them dancing again, and having them inspiring and encouraging me to keep going, and keep pushing,” said Baker, who was raised in the Milingimbi community in northeast Arnhem Land and moved to Melbourne three years ago. “It made me feel really proud.”

Now in their mid-40s, the original Baker Boys woke up the morning after the video shoot sore but satisfied.

“I feel pain in areas that I thought didn’t even have muscles,” said Jeremiah Baker, who didn’t hesitate to accept when his ­nephew called with the invitation.

“The songs he’s coming up with are just mind-blowing,” he said. “It’s almost like it was in his blood. People will say it was meant to be, but in our culture, there are no ­accidents … no coincidences.”