Wuigada is a dedicated space on the front page of the PBS 106.7FM website where First Nations musicians share and celebrate music made by other First Nations musicians with PBS audiences.
Wuigada was named and developed by the highly acclaimed indigenous singer songwriter, Kutcha Edwards. Wuigada in Mutti Mutti means 'to sing'.For this edition of Wuigada we spoke with hip hop artist and drummer, DOBBY. He proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, and a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Brewarrina, NSW.
DOBBY is a skilled composer and was the 2017 recipient of the bi-annual Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship. He has performed as a rapper and drummer for a variety of events such as BIG SOUND Festival, The Plot Festival, Yabun Festival, 4Elements Hip Hop Festival, UNSW corporate and academic functions, Koori Radio events, and at numerous NAIDOC celebrations across Australia. DOBBY also performs in Sydney band Jackie Brown Jr in various events and festivals such as Wollombi Music Festival, Rabbits Eat Lettuce, and Psyfari Festival.
After his releasing his debut self-titled EP in 2018, he has released a series of singles, the most recent one is 'Walk Away'.
We caught up with DOBBY to chat about what he’s been up to.
‘My latest single is called Walk Away, and I'm so happy this project is out for the world to hear! This track speaks fiercely to the constant dismissal and erasure of our country’s Indigenous history.
I have also just recently premiered a new work called WARRANGU; River Story, at the Art Gallery of NSW as part of VIVID Sydney. It was an incredible and emotional experience.’
We asked DOBBY to tell us about a song by a First Nations musician had a big impact on him.
‘I remember when Thelma Plum released Better in Blak, it resonated with me so much it became my anthem all week. I'll still listen to it today and it will make me teary. Thelma has written something so simple yet powerful and all our mob can see themselves so vividly within the song. I just love it so much, it's a perfect tune!’
So please sit back, watch and listen to DOBBY’s Wuigada top 16.
Thelma Plum - 'Better in Blak'
BARKAA - 'For My Tittas'
Ziggy Ramo - 'Little Things' feat. Paul Kelly
BARKAA - 'Fight For Me' feat. Electric Fields
Kobie Dee - 'Still Standing' feat. Liyah Knight
Miiesha - 'Damage'
Allara - 'Murnong Farm'
Electric Fields - 'Don’t You Worry'
No Fixed Address - 'We Have Survived'
Coloured Stone - 'Dancing In The Moonlight'
Emily Wurramara - 'Black Smoke'
Emily Wurramara (originally Coloured Stone) - 'Black Boy'
Nooky - 'Always Was Always Will Be'
King Stingray - 'Get Me Out'
Baker Boy - 'Survive' feat. Uncle Jack Charles
DRMNGNOW - 'Indigenous Land'
Listen to the Wuigada playlist in full via YouTube now.
Visit all the Wuigada stories, or check out: Carissa Nyalu, Boox Kid, The Merindas, Harry Whaleboat, Monica Jasmine Karo, Robert K. Champion, Ray Dimakarri Dixon, BUMPY, King Stingray, Lance O'Chin, Izy, Alice Skye, Radical Son, Black Rock Band, Allara, Emma Donovan, Marlene Cummins, Benny Walker, Stiff Gins, Ripple Effect Band, Waveney Yasso, Sue Ray, Troy Jungaji Brady, Dave Arden, Shellie Morris, Deline Briscoe, L.J. Hill, Selwyn Burns, Roger Knox and Kutcha Edwards.
Artwork by Dixon Patten.