Daniel Rankine

Daniel Hendle Rankine, known professionally as Trials, is an Aboriginal Australian rapper, songwriter, record producer, artist, and writer. Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, his first band was Funkoars in 1999. Trials' work includes collaborations, co-writes, and production of tracks with a range of artists and genres, including Gurrumul, Archie Roach, DZ Deathrays, and Paul Kelly. In particular, he has worked extensively with hip hop artist Briggs, forming half of the duo A.B. Original from around 2016. In 2020, Trials signed to Island Records Australia and Universal Music Australia. His first solo album, released in May 2026, is hendle.

Trials also teaches at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music at Adelaide University, paints, and is writing an autobiography.

Early life and education Daniel Hendle Rankine was born to a Welsh mother and Ngarrindjeri father. His paternal ancestors are from Raukkan, an Aboriginal community at the end of the Murray River near Adelaide, and his middle name is that of his paternal grandfather. and was shocked to find racist attitudes prevailing in Australia too.

Career Making music In 1999, DJ Daniel Yates (a.k.a. Reflux), was also a band member. They released their debut album Who's Your Step Daddy in 2003. The group has been on hiatus since 2016.

In the early 2000s, Trials met rapper Briggs at a Funkoars gig at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne. During the recording of the Golden Era Mixtape (2011-2013), a label the pair were signed to individually at the time, Trials began working on demos with his Briggs that would eventually become the foundations of A.B. Original in 2016. Briggs moved into Trials' house and they went on to form acclaimed hip-hop group A.B. Original. A.B Original received an APRA Award in 2018 for Songwriter of the Year.

Trials released his first solo song, "I'm a f**king wreck" in 2020. Daniyel and Trials first worked together collaborating on Daniyel's debut album. In July 2020, Trials signed to Island Records Australia and Universal Music Australia to release his debut solo album.

He has produced and composed music for film and television, including programs Cleverman, Looky Looky – Here Comes Cooky, Cargo (Netflix), and The Warriors.

In May 2026, Trials released his debut solo album, hendle, comprising 10 tracks of "hip hop juxtaposed a bouncy beat", He is the first Indigenous producer at CASM in 15 years.

Released: November 2018 Format: Digital Label: Causeway, Universal Music Australia —

Released: 1 May 2026 Format: Digital Label: Island Records Australia, Universal Music Australia 24

EPs + List of albums, with selected details Title Details Mr Trials: For the Ladies Released: 2005 Format: Vinyl Label: Obese Records

Awards and nominations He has won four ARIA Awards and has been accredited with two double-platinum albums and ten gold albums for his work as a rapper, composer, songwriter, and producer. APRA Music Awards The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". 2018 Adam Briggs / Daniel Rankine Songwriter of the Year 2019 "Blaccout" (Adam Briggs / Daniel Rankine) Song of the Year

ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. 2019 Cargo Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album

National Indigenous Music Awards The National Indigenous Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music. The award ceremony commenced in 2004. Electric Fields have won one award from four nominations.

Hendle Album of the Year