Baker Boy - “Meditjin” (feat. JessB)

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 8

Pairs Well With…Abhi the Nomad, Anderson .Paak, Kemba

Among the many things that stand out in Baker Boy’s music is his infectious, tenor tone, rapping with rhythmic precision amid a natural funkiness. As much as quick-spitting singer as a traditional rapper, Baker Boy adds intonation and timbre as weapons on his percussive, tenor voice. Musically, Baker Boy is mostly funk, party music with soul and message. Groovers like “In Control” and “Cool As Hell” open up a worldly banger in “Meditjin”, Baker Boy’s most recent and strongest single. It has the aboriginal artist embracing traditional influences (a didjeridoo holds down the track’s hook) and filtering them into a powerful statement that still bops hard. Bilingual in English and Yolŋu Matha, Baker Boy impressively rhymes and composes equally as a pop artist and critical storyteller. “Black Magic” falls in a similar mold, as much Rage Against the Machine than any contemporary hip hop influence. While deeply himself, Baker Boy’s music is still fully accessible and surely will make for an energized SXSW set as he travels across the globe to Austin this March. (Kevin McStravick)