Last week, Indigenous hip hop group A.B. Original–made of award-winning artists Briggs and Trials–performed one of the largest sets at Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass Festival. The two artists have been making waves with their debut album ‘Reclaim Australia’ (2016), which epitomises their critically-acclaimed reputation for speaking out about issues that affect Australia’s Indigenous community. 

Their style of music, which has attracted collaborations with Australian music veterans such as Paul Kelly, doesn’t hold back in criticising the nation’s current political and social practices. The group often raise complex current affairs within and outside of their music; their Splendour in the Grass set featured an emotional tribute to indigenous teenager Elijah Doughty, who was killed in his hometown of Kalgoorlie last year.  

Their success has brought Indigenous hip hop further into the spotlight, and the minds of many Australians.  

From the Meanjin archive comes Tony Mitchell’s essay from 2005 on the rise of the Indigenous hip hop scene, and its diverse and distinctive styles.  

‘HERE we go – here’s a bit of a history lesson for ya.’ We’re backstage at the Manning Bar at Sydney University with Munki Mark, Aboriginal MC, former member of mixed-race Sydney hip hop collective South West Syndicate. He is waiting to do his sound check for Klub Koori, Sydney’s first Indigenous hip hop showcase, billed as ‘contemporary musical storytelling from an Indigenous perspective.’ It’s being presented by Koori radio and the Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Corporation, and MC’d by stand-up comic and hip hop fellow traveller Sean Choolburra. Following Mark on the bill will be Ebony Williams, Sydney ‘femcee’ and Indigenous Music Officer for the Music Managers Forum; Mark’s former SWS cohort Brotha Black; and Murri MC and producer Lez Beckett, winner of a 2005 Deadly Award for most promising new talent, with his new crew Cypher Duem. Headliners are Newcastle-based Local Knowledge, the Aboriginal hip hop buzz group of the moment and winners of the 2005 Deadly Award and 2004 MusicOz award.