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Australian Rap

Mark Rickards explores 'desert rap', a new form of music created by the Australian Aboriginal community. From 2011.

Rapping out dreamtime stories: a new outlet for Australian Aboriginal youth.
For years the Australian Aboriginal community have struggled to be heard. But as Mark Rickards discovers, today the youth have found a new voice through music and 'desert rap'.

Speaking to the first rappers to use their own Aboriginal language, Mark Rickards finds that the traditions of dreamtime storytelling have been reinvigorated by rap music. Although the style originated in the USA, Aboriginal youth have adapted it to suit their own needs. It can be used to tell the stories of life in the outback or life in the city, and to represent the often unheard voices of the Aboriginal people.

Mark visits an Aboriginal radio station which has helped bring indigenous rap to a wider audience, and looks at the challenges of getting mainstream recognition.

Today younger rappers are talking about a brighter future for the Aboriginal people, and their music shows hopeful signs for the gradual evolution of Australia itself.

First broadcast on 91热爆 Radio 4 in 2011.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 10 Jul 2021 02:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 12 May 2011 11:30
  • Wed 8 Feb 2017 06:30
  • Wed 8 Feb 2017 13:30
  • Wed 8 Feb 2017 20:30
  • Thu 9 Feb 2017 01:30
  • Fri 9 Jul 2021 14:30
  • Sat 10 Jul 2021 02:30