Yolngu star and Māori rapper forge a healing, feel-good anthem
The collaboration between an Arnhem Land musician and a Sydney-based Maori rapper has delivered a healing song described as a ‘merging of cultures’ to make you feel good
READING LEVEL: GREEN
While it might seem like an unlikely duo on paper, the newest collaboration* between an iconic Arnhem Land* musician and a Sydney-based rapper is more than a “merging of cultures”.
In fact, the new single* from traditional Yidaki/Didjeridoo player and Yolngu* musician Larry Gurruwiwi and Sydney-based MÄÂori reggae musician Rayjah45 “is a journey, it has a travelling feeling about it”.
“It’s a merging of cultures from the Pacific to the Top End,” Rayjah45 said.
The new single, called Gapu Djarimi, translates into rainbow (healing) water and is rich in culture, Gurruwiwi said.
“Water is sacred* to our people – it’s a traditional healing song – it’s going to make you feel good,” he said.
A new black-and-white music video directed by Ben Strunin is also coming out with the single, which was shot as part of a whirlwind* recording session, according to Rayjah45.
“I said just give me the mic and I started rapping, Larry and Vernon came in and were jumping around going, ‘Wow! this is amazing’; the next day we were shooting the video. The whole thing took place over about 48 hours,” he said.
The Top End muso* is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his family, who also helped take Yolngu culture to the global stage.
“I want to play in festivals, bring music to the world, just like my uncle and Dr G (Gurrumul) and Yothu Yindi – I want to bring music and healing,” he said.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- collaboration: the act of working together with other people, groups, or organisations to create something
- Arnhem Land: a remote region in the Northern Territory’s northeast
- single: an individual song or a short release
- Yolngu: the Indigenous people of northeast Arnhem Land
- sacred: deserving great respect, or connected to spirituality
- whirlwind: a chaotic rush of events
- muso: slang for musician
EXTRA READING
Busking for Change fundraiser the chance to learn First Nations song
The struggles and triumphs of our nation’s First Peoples
What is the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day and why does it exist?
QUICK QUIZ
- 1. Why do you think Larry Gurruwiwi and Rayjah45 are referred to as an “unlikely duo”?
- 2. What is the new single called and what does it mean?
- 3. Recording the music video was done in a “whirlwind” - why was it described like this?
- 4. Why does Larry Gurruwiwi want to follow in the footsteps of his family?
- 5. What musical instrument does Larry Gurruwiwi play?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Emotions of song lyrics
Before listening to this song Gapu Djarimi (meaning Healing Water), brainstorm some key messages and emotions that this song might evoke? Use evidence from the article to support your predictions.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Music, Intercultural, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
Finish this sentence off in five different ways:
“Music makes people feel ...”
VCOP ACTIVITY
I spy nouns
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week).
How many nouns can you find in the article?
Can you sort them into places, names and time?
Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.