‘Be Yourself, Be Who You Are’

DANZAL may be new to the music scene but he’s an experienced performer. He moved to Melbourne three years ago from the remote NT community of Milingimbi to pursue a career in dance and has performed at festivals in Australia and abroad as a member of Yolngu dance troupe, Djuki Mala.

Danzal’s day job is performative too. He’s a teacher at Indigenous Hip Hop Projects where he’s honed his desire to be a long-term role model and inspiration for kids going “off track”.

“I love how my aunties talk about their history, like ‘Back in old days we used to do this and that’. But young kids in remote communities are starting to fade away from listening to culture stuff. They’re trying to be someone they’re not. Everyone wants to dress the same, have the same clothes, look fresh. I’m trying to tell them ‘Be yourself, be who you are’.”

But do they listen? “Yes,” he says. “Everyone just says ‘I really like you. You’re very lifted, spiritual, positive. You’re strong, you’re humble, you make me feel special around you’. I have this energy that attracts people to come and listen to me. I would love to make a difference in this world.”

I can attest to the good energy. After last night’s show, Danzal’s interviews have multiplied. I am his sixth and the only place we find to speak is beneath some wooden stairs with people thundering up and down. It’s hard going but Baker is unperturbed. “It’s OK,” he says. He seems centred; his dancer’s body strong and straight. His likeability is a bit overwhelming.