Hip hop group to debut single at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

A rising hip hop group will release a new single in conjunction with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair later this year.

Cairns-based hip-hop group R.3.B will release their new single, Far North, at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in July. Picture: Catherine Duffy

A homegrown hip hop group will release their new single, Far North, at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in July at the Tanks Art Centre.

Member of R.3.B, which is also known as Red Eye Bala, Elijah Raymond said he was excited to release the single in conjunction with the art fair.

“This year’s theme is Pay Attention!, so I think we fit very well with that, and we’re going to make you pay attention,” he said.

Mr Raymond, who is known by the stage name Elijah the Profit, said the song reflected life in the region and included sounds distinct to the area.

“(There’s) a lot of bass, a lot of Far North sounds featured, our lyrics, our vocals, the way we talk, it’s very Far North-orientated. We’re very proud of it,” he said.

Cairns-based band R.3.B, who blend English, Torres Strait Islander Creole and Cairns Indigenous languages in a unique mix of hip hop and reggae tunes. They will release their latest single 'Far North' at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in July. Photo: Catherine Duffy.

“It’s got a lot of night-life and it has curlew noises, there’s baby crocodile noises … so if you’re from the Far North and you’re not here anymore, it’s going to make you homesick and you’ll come back home again.”

Mr Raymond said the group was excited to perform at CIAF, after attending in previous years.

“It’s going to be music, it’s going to be paintings, it’s going to be fashion, it’s going to be … a whole week of everything. I want to be there on every single day, just like last year,” he said.

Teho Ropeyarn has been named as the acting artistic director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Picture: Brendan Radke

CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn said that including R.3.B in this year’s program from July 10 to 13 was a bold and fitting way to channel the 2025 theme Pay Attention! through music.

“R.3.B are loud, proud and entirely original, bringing voice to stories and truths that demand to be heard,” Mr Ropeyarn said.

“Their music reflects the urgency, creativity and cultural fire that CIAF champions.”

Tickets are available via the CIAF website.

Originally published as Hip hop group to debut single at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair