As I sat eagerly anticipating the screening of Baker Boy’s behind the scenes documentary of his new album, DJANDJAY, Danzal Baker OAM walks in.
Unassuming and almost awed, he looked up at the screen to see himself projected up there, seemingly tickled.
Presented by the Perth Festival at Luna Palace Cinema, The Making of DJANDJAY featured a series of five music videos from Baker Boy’s latest album, followed by the screening of the documentary, and a live-in-cinema Q&A with Baker Boy and creative director Aurie Indianna.
After his hugely successful multiple Aria Award-winning first album, Gela, the release of his latest work, was much anticipated.
DJANDJAY – named after his late grandmother, in honour of her introducing hip hop into the community – is also a reference to a spiritual Yolŋu octopus figure that guides souls to the afterlife – perhaps an allusion to Baker Boy moving the souls of his listeners with his powerful, unapologetic voice.
The documentary provides an intimate, candid look into the two-year process of creation of the fourteen track album, including the filming of the five music videos.
All set within the historic colonial Werribee mansion, complete with opulent decor, deer heads and white butlers, the videos effectively flip the narrative of blak oppression.
We also gained insight into Baker’s mindset following the defeat of the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum in 2023 – the inspiration for the emotionally charged track, Thick Skin. Featuring the powerhouse vocals of Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee’ahn and Jada Weazel, the song was his way of reclaiming his voice:
‘Wasn’t for the fame
I just needed to survive
Not a silent soldier
My pigment is my pride
I’m like
Red dirt, gold chains, blak knight, thick skin’
Following the screening of the documentary, Baker sits in front of the cinema audience for a brief question and answer session. On his family’s favourite song from DJANDJAY, Baker explains that it is Lightning – the trilingual track, a mix of English, Yolŋu Matha, and Burarra – as it reminds them of being kids, and conversing in all three languages. He laments that he misses home, getting humbled and teased by family, and eating heaps of mudcrab – clearly a favourite food, as he makes multiple mentions of it throughout the evening.
Baker also talks about his important role as an inspiration for young mob, through culture, language and storytelling. “Once you make music, using language – it’s there forever.”
More than just making music, Baker Boy has archived language, honoured lineage, and reshaped the space in which he resides. Through DJANDJAY, he reminds us that storytelling is survival. And more than just an album, it is a part of his legacy.