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Baker Boy

Baker Boy, Laneway Festival 2019.jpg
Baker Boy performing at Laneway in 2019
Background information
Birth name Danzal James Baker
Born (1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 (age 28)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Origin Milingimbi Island, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • dancer
  • artist
  • actor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • yidaki
Years active 1999–present
Labels
  • Universal Music Australia
  • Island Records Australia
Associated acts

Danzal James Baker OAM (born 10 October 1996), known professionally as Baker Boy, is a Yolngu rapper, dancer, artist, and actor. Baker Boy is known for performing original hip-hop songs incorporating both English and Yolŋu Matha and is one of the most prominent Aboriginal Australian rappers.

He was made Young Australian of the Year in 2019, and his song "Cool as Hell" was nominated in several categories in the 2019 ARIA Awards. In 2018, he won two awards at the National Indigenous Music Awards, and was named Male Artist of the Year in the National Dreamtime Awards. His debut album, Gela, was released on 15 October 2021. At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards he won five categories from seven nominations.

Early life

Namila Benson, Uncle Jack, Baker Boy
Namila Benson, Jack Charles and Baker Boy at the 'Night With Uncle Jack' event at the Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, November 2021

Danzal James Baker was born on 10 October 1996 in Darwin, Northern Territory, and grew up in the Arnhem Land communities of Milingimbi and Maningrida. He has one brother. His totem is the Olive python, his moiety is Dhuwa and his skin name is Burralung / Gela boy.

He completed Year 12 at Shalom Christian College in Townsville, Queensland, before attending the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane. He developed his love of dancing and acting there, and was an original member of the Djuki Mala dance troupe, which toured Australia.

In 2016, Baker Boy featured in the video for "Yolngu Style", a modern contemporary dance music video created by a group of artists to inspire the world to dance, move and absorb the Yolngu style.

In 2016, Baker appeared on the "Indigenous" episode of the first series of Australian television series You Can't Ask That on ABC TV.

Personal life

As of 2020 Baker was residing in Bendigo, Victoria, with his partner Aurie Spencer-Gill and his bulldog.

He has said that he wants to be an inspiration to Indigenous kids living in remote communities, and to combat "shame."

Career

In 2017, Baker Boy attracted national attention as the winner of the Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) Competition. releasing the singles "Cloud 9" featuring Kian and "Marryuna" featuring Yirrmal in the same year. Both singles were featured in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017.

Baker Boy Dallas Woods Kian 2018 (BB cropped)
Baker Boy performing at the Riddu Riđđu Festival in Norway, 2018.

In 2018, he performed with acts such as Yothu Yindi and Dizzee Rascal.

He performed as an opening act for American rapper 50 Cent in January 2018, along with A.B. Original.

His third single, "Mr. La Di Da Di" was released in April 2018. "Black Magic" featuring Dallas Woods, was released in July 2018.

The Yolngu rapper also performed at the Riddu Riđđu Festival in Norway in 2018, his first international performance outside of Australia.

On 25 January 2019, Baker released "Cool as Hell" Two days later, "Mr. La Di Da Di" was voted into Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2018.

In June 2019, Baker released "In Control". On 7 July, Baker Boy appeared on the children's television show, Play School, and performed "Hickory Dickory Dock" as part of NAIDOC Week.

Baker Boy was the headline act at the opening night of the 2019 Tarnanthi exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the Art Gallery of South Australia on 17 October 2019, performing outside the Gallery on North Terrace, Adelaide.

Baker made his acting debut in True History of the Kelly Gang, released in cinemas in early January 2019 and later released on streaming service provider Stan from 26 January.

2020–present: Gela

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Baker spent time in the studio finishing of Gela. The time allowed him to focus and take things slow rather than the usual busy back-to-back shows and then straight into the studio schedule.

On 16 September 2020, Baker began teasing a new song on social media, posting images of himself alongside Dallas Woods and Sampa the Great. On 23 September 2020, Baker released the single "Better Days".

On 25 September 2021, Baker Boy performed as part of the pre-match entertainment at the 2021 AFL Grand Final at Perth Stadium.

On 15 October 2021, he released his debut studio album Gela, on which he is accompanied by Glen Gurruwiwi's vocals and Kevin Gurruwiwi playing yidaki on the track "Announcing the Journey".

Baker has performed in televised advertisements for Menulog and for Google.

Baker performed at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, as part of the handover to the Australian hosts of Victoria 2026.

A portrait of Baker, titled Rhythms of heritage, by Matt Adnate won the 2024 Packing Room Prize at the Archibald Prize awards.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
Gela 3

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with year released, selected certifications and album name shown
Title Year Certifications Album
"Cloud 9"
(featuring Kian)
2017 Non-album singles
"Marryuna"
(featuring Yirrmal)
"Mr. La Di Da Di" 2018
"Black Magic"
(featuring Dallas Woods)
"Cool as Hell" 2019
  • ARIA: Gold
Gela
"In Control" Non-album single
"Meditjin"
(featuring JessB)
Gela
"Move" 2020
"Better Days"
(with Dallas Woods and Sampa the Great)
Non-album single
"Ride"
(featuring Yirrmal)
2021 Gela
"My Mind"
(featuring G Flip)
"Butterflies"
"Survive"
(featuring Uncle Jack Charles)
"Wish You Well"
(featuring Bernard Fanning)
2022 0TBA

As featured artist

List of singles, with year released and album shown
Title Year Album
"Treaty '18"
(Yothu Yindi & Gavin Campbell featuring Baker Boy)
2018 Non-album single

Filmography

List of film and television appearances, with year released and role shown
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 The Nightingale Captured man 1
2019 True History of the Kelly Gang Uncredited
2019 Play School Himself Performed "Hickory Dickory Dock"

Music videos

List of music videos, with year released and director(s) shown
Title Year Director
"Cloud 9"
(featuring Kian)
2017 Not known
"Marryuna"
(featuring Yirrmal)
Daniel King
"Black Magic"
(featuring Dallas Woods)
2018 BraydenFunFilm
"Cool as Hell" 2019 Gabriel Gasparinatos
"In Control"
"Meditjin"
(featuring Jess B)
"Move" 2020 Freya Esders

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best Independent Artist Nominated
"Marryuna" Best Independent Single or EP Nominated
Himself Breakthrough Independent Artist Won

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.


Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Marryuna" (Danzal Baker, Dion Brownfield, Jerome Farah, Yirrmal Marika) Song of the Year Shortlisted
Urban Work of the Year Nominated
"Mr La Di Da Di" (Danzal Baker, Dion Brownfield, Jerome Farah, Dallas Woods) Nominated
Danzal Baker p.k.a. Baker Boy Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated
2020 "Cool as Hell" (Danzal Baker, Carl Dimataga, Jesse Ferris, Morgan Jones, Brendan Tuckerman, Dallas Woods) Most Performed Urban Work of the Year Nominated
2021 "Meditjin" - Baker Boy featuring JessB (Danzal Baker, Jess Bourke, Dion Brownfield, Jerome Farah, Dallas Woods) Song of the Year Shortlisted
2022 "Ride" (Danzal Baker, Yirrmal Marika, Philip Norman, Dallas Woods) Song of the Year Shortlisted
2023 "Headphones" (featuring Lara Andallo) Song of the Year Shortlisted
"Wish You Well (featuring Bernard Fanning) (Danzal Baker, Bernard Fanning, Pip Norman) Shortlisted
Most Performed Hip Hop/ Rap Work of the Year Nominated

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, Baker Boy was nominated for three categories, and received three more nominations in 2020. He headed the leader board in 2022 with five wins from seven nominations.


Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Cool as Hell" Best Hip Hop Release Nominated
Best Video Nominated
Cool as Hell Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
2020 "Meditjin" (featuring JessB) Best Hip Hop Release Nominated
Best Video Nominated
Falls Festival Best Australian Live Act Nominated
2022 Gela Album of the Year Won
Best Solo Artist Won
Best Hip Hop / Rap Release Won
Macario De Souza for "Wish You Well" Baker Boy (featuring Bernard Fanning) Best Video Nominated
Gela Tour Best Live Act Nominated
Adnate for Baker Boy Gela Best Cover Art Won
Pip Norman, Andrei Eremin, Dave Hammer for Baker Boy – Gela Mix Engineer – Best Mixed Album Won
2023 Google: Helping You Help Others (72andSunn) Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement (duration of 2 minutes or less) Won
Regional Vic Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 Gala Australian Music Prize Nominated

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Himself Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated
2021 Gela Australian Album of the Year Nominated

MTV Europe Music Awards

The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Himself Best Australian Act Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. The commenced in 2005.


Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best Solo Act Nominated
Best Male Musician Won
Best Live Act Won
Best Hip Hop Act Nominated
Victorian Breakthrough Act Won
Archie Roach Award for Emerging Talent Nominated
"Marryuna" Best Song Won
2019 Himself Best Solo Act Nominated
2020 "Move" Best Victorian Song Nominated
Himself Best Solo Artist Nominated
2021 Himself Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act Won
Best Solo Act Nominated
2022 Gela Best Victorian Album Won
"Survive" Best Victorian Song Won
Himself Best Solo Artist Nominated
Best Regional Act Won

National Dreamtime Awards

The National Dreamtime Awards, (also known as The Dreamtime Awards), are an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in sport, arts, academic and community.


Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Male Artist of the Year Won

National Indigenous Music Awards

The National Indigenous Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music.


Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Best New Talent Won
"Marryuna" Film Clip of the Year Won
Song of the Year Nominated
2019 Himself Artist of the Year Won
"Black Magic" Song of the Year Nominated
2020 Himself Artist of the Year Won
"Meditjin" (featuring JessB) Film Clip of the Year Won
Song of the Year Won
2021 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated
"Better Days" (with Dallas Woods & Sampa the Great) Song of the Year Nominated
"Ride" (featuring Yirrmal) Film Clip of the Year Won
2022 Himself Artist of the Year Won
Gela Album of the Year Won
"My Mind" Film Clip of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Himself Live Act of the Year Won
Best New Act Nominated
Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Won
Northern Territory Live Act of the Year Won
2019 Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Nominated
Northern Territory Live Act of the Year Won
2023 Baker Boy Musicians Making a Difference Won
Baker Boy Best Hip Hop Act Nominated

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Meditjin" Best Single Nominated
2022 Gela Best Record Nominated

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.


Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 "Meditjin" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 2nd

Young Australian of the Year 2019

In 2019, Baker Boy was awarded Young Australian of the Year. He delivered his acceptance speech in both English and Yolngu Matha.

Order of Australia Medal

In the 2021 Australia Day Honours, Baker was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts as a singer and musician.

Tours

Baker has performed at venues and events such as Yabun Festival (2018), BIGSOUND, Groovin' the Moo, the Woodford Folk Festival, 2021 AFL Grand Final, Laneway Festival, WOMADelaide, and Golden Plains Festival.

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