Baker Boy

Danzal James Baker (born 10 October 1996), known professionally as Baker Boy, is a Yolngu rapper, dancer, and artist. 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 with the songs Cool as Hell and Meditjin. At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards he won five categories from seven nominations.

Early life

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

Career 2017–2019: Career beginnings 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 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.

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 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.

2024–2025: Djandjay

In August 2024, Baker released the stand-along single "King".

In July 2025, Baker announced the forthcoming release of his second studio album, Djandjay. He performed in the pre-match entertainment at the 2025 AFL grand final as well as accompanying Snoop Dogg on didgeridoo.

Personal life 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."

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 Released: 15 October 2021 Label: Island Australia, Universal Music Australia Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 3 Djandjay Released: 10 October 2025

Singles As lead artist +List of singles, with year released, selected certifications and album name shown Title Year Certifications Album "Cloud 9" 2017 "Marryuna" "Mr. La Di Da Di" 2018 ARIA: Gold "Black Magic" "Cool as Hell" 2019 ARIA: Platinum Gela "In Control" "Meditjin" Gela "Move" 2020 "Better Days" "Ride" 2021 Gela "My Mind" "Butterflies" "Survive" "Wish You Well" 2022 "King" 2025 Djandjay "Freak Out" "Lightning" "Thick Skin" "Jump" (Like a Version) 2026 "Let's Go" "Curse" Djandjay (deluxe)

As featured artist +List of singles, with year released and album shown Title Year Album "Treaty '18" 2018 "Take Me to the Beach" 2024

Filmography +List of film and television appearances, with year released and role shown Year Title Role Notes 2018 The Nightingale Captured man 1 Uncredited 2019 True History of the Kelly Gang Uncredited He delivered his acceptance speech in both English and Yolngu Matha.

At 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.

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. 2018 Himself Best Independent Artist "Marryuna" Best Independent Single or EP Himself Breakthrough Independent Artist

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.

Song of the Year

"Mr La Di Da Di" (Danzal Baker, Dion Brownfield, Jerome Farah, Dallas Woods) Danzal Baker p.k.a. Baker Boy Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year 2020 "Cool as Hell" (Danzal Baker, Carl Dimataga, Jesse Ferris, Morgan Jones, Brendan Tuckerman, Dallas Woods) Most Performed Urban Work of the Year 2021 "Meditjin" - Baker Boy featuring JessB (Danzal Baker, Jess Bourke, Dion Brownfield, Jerome Farah, Dallas Woods) Song of the Year 2022 "Ride" (Danzal Baker, Yirrmal Marika, Philip Norman, Dallas Woods) Song of the Year

"Headphones" (featuring Lara Andallo)

Most Performed Hip Hop/ Rap Work of the Year 2025 "Won't Stop" (3% featuring Jessica Mauboy) (Danzal Baker, Andrew Burford, Madeline Crabtree, Corey Webster, Dallas Woods) Song of the Year 2026 "Thick Skin" (featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'ahn & Jada Weazel) (Danzal Baker, Rob Amoruso, Kee’ahn Bindol, Emma Donovan, Thelma Plum, Pip Norman, Jada Weazel) Song of the Year

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. Best Solo Artist Best Hip Hop / Rap Release Macario De Souza for "Wish You Well" Baker Boy (featuring Bernard Fanning) Best Video Gela Tour Best Live Act Adnate for Baker Boy Gela Best Cover Art Pip Norman, Andrei Eremin, Dave Hammer for Baker Boy – Gela Mix Engineer – Best Mixed Album

Google: Helping You Help Others (72andSunn) Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement (duration of 2 minutes or less)

Regional Vic Tour Best Australian Live Act 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. Gala Australian Music Prize 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.

Himself Unearthed Artist of the Year

Gela Australian Album of the Year

Djandjay Australian Album of the Year

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.

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

Best Solo Act

Best Male Musician Best Live Act Best Hip Hop Act Victorian Breakthrough Act Archie Roach Award for Emerging Talent "Marryuna" Best Song

Himself Best Solo Act

"Move" Best Victorian Song

Himself Best Solo Artist

Best Regional/Outer Suburban Act

Best Solo Act

Gela Best Victorian Album

"Survive" Best Victorian Song

Best Solo Artist Best Regional Act 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.

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

Himself Best New Talent

Film Clip of the Year Song of the Year

Himself Artist of the Year

"Black Magic" Song of the Year

Himself Artist of the Year

Film Clip of the Year Song of the Year

Himself Artist of the Year

"Better Days" (with Dallas Woods & Sampa the Great) Song of the Year "Ride" (featuring Yirrmal) Film Clip of the Year

Himself Artist of the Year

Gela Album of the Year "My Mind" Film Clip of the Year

Baker Boy Artist of the Year

Djandjay Album of the Year

Song of the Year Film Clip of the Year

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

Live Act of the Year

Best New Act Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Northern Territory Live Act of the Year

Live Hip Hop Act of the Year

Northern Territory Live Act of the Year

Baker Boy Musicians Making a Difference

Baker Boy Best Hip Hop Act 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. 2021 "Meditjin" Best Single 2022 Gela Best Record 2025 "King" Best Single

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.

"Meditjin" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

"Freak Out"