NT rising star Baker Boy takes out 2018 Corner Award

The Corner Hotel, one of Melbourne’s most successful live music venues, announced buzz act Baker Boy as the recipient of its 2018 Corner Award.

Raised in the remote Northern Territory communities of Yurrwi and Maningrida, 21-year-old Danzal Baker raps in Yolngu Matha language representing his bloodlines.

He works across dance, acting and graffiti, and made it his focus to inspire the next generations of First Australians to embrace their culture and take on leadership roles.

His prize includes the pressing of 150 copies of a limited edition 7” inch single, $2000 cash, rehearsal time at Bakehouse Studios, $1000 towards artwork from Mushroom Publishing, a two week poster run from Plakkit, a full-page ad package from Furst Media’s Beat magazine, and 50 free t-shirts from Sound Merch.

The judging panel was made up of Helen Marcou (Bakehouse Studios, SLAM), Jacinta Parsons (ABC Local Radio), Kate Duncan (The Push), Lauren Taylor (RRR FM), Linda Bosidis (Mushroom Publishing) and The Corner’s Anna Northeast, Jason Moore, Sally Mather and Vaughan Quinn.

The Corner Award was launched in 2016 “to celebrate great Australian artists who are breaking the mould and doing exciting things with their music.”

The first recipient was Sampa The Great, with Cable Ties winning last year.