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Birdz (rapper)

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Birdz
Birth nameNathan Bird
BornAustralia
OriginKatherine, Northern Territory, Australia
GenresAustralian hip hop
Occupations
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
LabelsBad Apples

Nathan Bird, known professionally as Birdz, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, and record producer. As of 2021, he has released one studio album and two extended plays. His second studio album, Legacy, was released on 19 November 2021.

A prominent activist, Birdz describes his music as a "declaration of survival".[1]

Early life

[edit]

Nathan Bird is a Butchulla man who grew up in Katherine, Northern Territory and describes himself as "a proud Murri man with Badtjala, Juru, Scottish and Melanesian heritage."[2]

In 2019, Bird said "I remember staying up late on the weekends just so that I could catch Rage play the standard half an hour of rap videos, before their programming would return to whatever was popular on the Australian charts at the time. Seeing artists like Ice Cube speak out against police brutality and racism on "Fuck tha Police" is still one of the coolest things I've ever witnessed. It reminded me of my father and how his confidence would never break stride, no matter where he was or who he was with. Since that day, my passion for hip-hop has never wavered."[1]

Career

[edit]

Birdz released "Red Black and Yellow" in June 2013 which is inspired by experiences as a young Aboriginal man residing in Brisbane, Queensland. The song paints a vivid picture of the everyday challenges black Australia continues to endure.[3] Birdz released his debut EP Birdz Eye View in September 2013.[4]

In February 2015, Birdz told The Guardian "I'm a full-time rapper and part-time support worker for Link-Up Victoria, currently residing in Melbourne."[2]

Birdz released his debut studio album Train of Thought in August 2017.[5] At the Music Victoria Awards of 2017, the album was nominated for Best Hip Hop Album, while it won Best Independent Hip Hop Album at the AIR Awards of 2018.

2019 saw Birdz release EP, Place of Dreams, which was produced by Ngarrindjeriy rapper and producer, Trials, of Adelaide hip-hop crew the Funkoars, and Indigenous hip-hop duo A. B. Original.[6] A video for album single 'Black Child' featured Indigenous musicians, Kaiit, Mo’Ju, Alice Skye, along with Rebecca Mabo, Shannan Marino and Cormach Evans. The video co-opts and subverts Eurocentric iconography and emphasises achievements of Indigenous Australian people.[6]

In 2021, Birdz's single 'Bagi-la-m Bargan' featuring his cousin and Butchulla songman, Fred Leone, appeared in Triple J's Hottest 100. The song is written from the perspective a Wonamutta warrior in 1770 CE preparing to defend the island of K’gari against the British Naval vessel, the Endeavour, and its commander, Captain James Cook.[6]

On 1 October 2021, Birdz released "Legacy Part 2", a collaboration with Missy Higgins.[7]

In November 2021, Birdz released album Legacy on Bad Apples Music. Album tracks were once again produced by Trials.[6]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of albums, with release date and label shown
Title Details
Train of Thought
Legacy
  • Released: 19 November 2021[7]
  • Label: Bad Apples Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, with release date and label shown
Title Details
Birdz Eye View
Place of Dreams
  • Released: 3 May 2019[9]
  • Label: Bad Apples Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Red Black and Yellow"[3] 2013 Birdz Eye View
"Supabrotha"[10] 2014 Non-album single
"Rise" (featuring Jimblah)[11] 2016 Train of Thought
"Black Lives Matter"[12]
"Hunger Voodoo"[13]
"The Side" (featuring Serina Pech)[14] 2017
"Sunset Dreaming (Djäpana remix)" (Triple J - Like a Version)[15] Like a Version (Volume Thirteen)
"About Me" (featuring Omar Musa)[16] 2018 Non-album single
"Place of Dreams" (featuring Ecca Vandal)[17] Place of Dreams
"On the Run"[18] 2019
"Black Child" (featuring Mojo Juju)[19][20]
"Bagi-la-m Bargan" (featuring Fred Leone)[21] 2020 Legacy
"Fly" (featuring Ngaiire)[22] 2021
"They Don't Know" (featuring Thom Crawford)[23]
"Legacy Part 2" (featuring Missy Higgins)[7]
"Aussie Aussie"[24]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

AIR Awards

[edit]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Train of Thought Best Independent Hip Hop Album Won [25]

Music Victoria Awards

[edit]

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Birdz Best Aboriginal Act Nominated [26][27]
Train of Thought Best Hip Hop Album Nominated
2020 Birdz Best Hip Hop Act Won

National Indigenous Music Awards

[edit]

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.[28][29]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Himself Artist of the Year Nominated [30][31]
"Bagi-la-m Bargan" Song of the Year Nominated
2022 Legacy Album of the Year Nominated [32][33]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "My music is a declaration of survival". Indigenous X. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Five questions for Murri man Birdz on IndigenousX". The Guardian. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Birdz "Red Black and Yellow"". Soundcloud. June 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Birdz Eye View – EP by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Birdz To Release Train of Thought Album in August". noise11. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Bowmer, Sam (1 December 2021). "Birdz Faces Off With Colonial Invasion, Police Brutality and the Responsibilities of Parenthood on New Album 'Legacy'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Gallagher, Alex (1 October 2021). "Birdz announces new album Legacy, shares Missy Higgins collaboration". NME Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Train of Thought – by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Place of Dreams – EP by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Birdz "Supabrotha"". YouTube. July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Rise – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. April 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Black Lives Matter – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Hunger Voodoo – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  14. ^ "The Side – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Sunset Dreaming – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  16. ^ "About Me – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Place of Dreams – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  18. ^ "On the Run – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  19. ^ "BIRDZ - Black Child ft. Mojo Juju (Official Video)". YouTube. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Premiere: Birdz Finds Hope in Harsh Realities with "Black Child"". Acclaim Magazine. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Bagi-la-m Bargan – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Fly – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  23. ^ "They Don't Know – Single by Birdz on Apple Music". Apple Music. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  24. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist – 19/11/21". musicfeeds.com.au. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  25. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  26. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  27. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Announcement: National Indigenous Music Awards finalists Unveiled". Noise11. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  29. ^ "National Indigenous Music Awards 2020: Baker Boy wins second artist of the year title". Guardian Australia. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  30. ^ Cashmere, Paul (8 July 2021). "NIMA Nominees Revealed". noise11. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  31. ^ "The Kid LAROI, JK-47 lead National Indigenous Music Award winners". ABC. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  32. ^ "Nominees and Performers Announced For National Indigenous Music Awards 2022". Music Feeds. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  33. ^ "2022 NIMAs: Baker Boy Wins Two Awards, Archie Roach and Gurrumul Honoured". The Music Network. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
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