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“Legacy on the whole seeks to trigger change in the here and now. “Aussie Aussie”, the album’s catchiest song, is a sardonic yet no-less-harrowing broadside against police brutality. “- Rolling Stone “But there’s a satirical edge to ‘Aussie Aussie’ that gives it a different flavour to a straight-up protest anthem. It’s tongue-in-cheek, managing to poke fun at what is a sacred cow to some parts of Australia’s cultural identity while simultaneously slaughtering it.” – triple j |
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Today Birdz releases the official video for his single ‘Aussie, Aussie‘, directed by award-winning Melbourne-based director, Lilah Benetti and produced by top filmmaker Tig Terera and cinematographer Jesse Lane. Lifted from his acclaimed second LP LEGACY, ‘Aussie, Aussie’ is in true Birdz style, unapologetic in its themes and a wider motif of the album, reading like an open letter to his son. The prominent rapper and proud Butchulla man, says of the song, “Aussie Aussie” is a song about the harsh realities we endure as Blakfullas and challenges the idea of “Aussie” nationalism – a concept that is dependent on the erasure of Blak voices. Blak deaths in custody, police brutality, forced child removal, these are realities that a majority of Australians are either still unaware of or remain wilfully ignorant towards. Governments and police attempt to silence us on a daily basis, denying the truth about what’s been happening since 1788. That’s why I write songs like “Aussie Aussie” – it’s giving voice to the unheard and a space for our truth to live unapologetically. I hope it can also provide a starting point for those wanting to learn more about what’s really going on in this country. “ The official video was shot on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country and Dja Dja Wurrung Country, with the vision for the clip led purely by the music. The visual narrative follows a non-linear journey; we see layered representations of strength, community and carefree Blak joy while the ‘backseat’ perspective makes us feel like an onlooker as we move through the changing landscapes that follow a metaphorical ‘day in the life’ flow. Director Lilah Benetti explains further, “The audience is made aware of their own presence through Birdz close up performance. It’s delivered straight to the camera, directly to us, which is an important part of the overall communication of the concept. It is a really intimate and authentic performance and I think it really captures Birdz calm, charisma and attitude.” |
Birdz will embark on his national headline tour, beginning in Sydney on April 1, then Brisbane on April 2 and Adelaide on April 8, before making an appearance at Shepparton’s Land of Plenty Festival on April 9 then bringing his string of shows to a close at hometown Melbourne on April 22. Presented by triple j, Birdz’s national tour will be a celebration of his unique brand of honest, powerful hip-hop, showcasing music from LEGACY as well as favourites his fans know and love. Special guests will include Narli, The Ancient Bloods, Marlon x Rulla and Jay Gabriel.
Raised in Katherine, Northern Territory and now based in Naarm / Melbourne, Birdz took to crafting his career-shaping second record alongside the production hand of longtime collaborator and friend, trials, plus hand-selected some of Australia’s best-loved artists to feature including Fred Leone, Ngaiire, Thom Crawford and Missy Higgins. On release, the album was chosen as feature album on triple j and Radio Adelaide.
As one of Bad Apples Music’s most established signees, in 2021, Birdz appeared on ABC’s The Set with Missy Higgins, featured on triple j and ABC iview’s RAP IT UP documentary series and is the face of a nationwide ‘Strong Mob’ health campaign.
His 2017 debut album Train Of Thought was received with widespread acclaim. The album won the Australian Independent Record Label Associations’ title of Best Independent Hip Hop Album, was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize, nominated for Music Victoria’s Best Hip Hop Album and was simultaneously loved by community radio.
BIRDZ 2022 AUS TOUR DATES
Presented by triple j
Friday, 1 April – The Lansdowne, Sydney NSW support Narli [TIX HERE]
Saturday, 2 April – The Brightside, Brisbane QLD support: The Ancient Bloods [TIX HERE]
Friday, 8 April – The Lab, Adelaide SA support: Marlon x Rulla [TIX HERE]
Saturday, 9 April – Land Of Plenty Festival, Shepparton VIC [TIX HERE]
Friday, 22 April – The Gaso, Melbourne VIC Jay Gabriel [TIX HERE]
https://www.instagram.com/misterbirdz
