From the ARIAs to the AFL we can’t stop watching Baker Boy ‘sonically evolve’

Yolngu musician Baker Boy is a six-time ARIA Award winner and performed with American rapper Snoop Dog at the 2025 AFL grand final.

He has established himself as a superstar of the Australian music scene, but told ABC News Breakfast that it created pressure to "sonically evolve" for his new album DJANDJAY.

"The whole album process was kind of like, this trying out different hats," Baker Boy said.

"There's a choir, a punkiness, a lot of bratty, sort of, vibe music and then, of course, hip-hop there as well."

Performing with Snoop Dog

Last month Baker Boy took the internet by storm with his yidaki performance to one of Snoop Dog's most iconic songs, Still D.R.E..

"It was actually one of the incredible moments of my life," Baker Boy said.

"Being up on the riser and having Snoop say Baker Boy. It's crazy."  

Channelling difficult emotions

Baker Boy told News Breakfast co-host and Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman Bridget Brennan that the 2023 Voice referendum made it difficult to work on his music.

"It was just clouding my creative thoughts," he said.

"The whole atmosphere was just, kind of, dark and eerie, I was like, maybe, we should write about it and just get this feeling out so we can move past it.

"When it was the neo-Nazis going and destroying Camp Sovereignty, I turned the music on again and played it on repeat.

"I felt really proud and comfortable under my skin," he said about listening to his new album.

He was not alone.

"There have been a lot of mob coming up to me and saying, this song is amazing."

DJANDJAY

His new album is named after his late grandmother.

"I wanted to dedicate it to my late grandma," he said.

'She was the one who introduced hip-hop to my dad and uncle and the families and the community."

Baker Boy says he wantedto inspire the younger mob to live up to their dreams.

"I can do it, you can do it."

DJANDJAY by Baker Boy is out on October 10.