The Rap

Journalist, radio presenter, and producer, Nicola Joseph discusses with Areej the need for diversity within our media and Media Diversity Australia’s recent report that outlined how behind our country’s media landscape is when it comes to representation.

Areej is also joined by Butchulla hip hop artist, Birdz to talk about his new single Bagi-la-m Bargan, inspired by the story of the Butchulla people witnessing Captain Cook sailing past Fraser Island (Kgari). The song is written from the perspective of a young warrior defending his country. Bagi-la-m Bargan is amongst several songs that were commissioned to create a modern-day songline for 21st century Australia in Looky Looky, Here Comes Cooky a new documentary by NITV that tells the Indigenous story of connection to Country, resistance, and survival throughout history.

Birdz drops new single | SBS

Australian media diversity report | ABC

Looky Looky, Here Comes Cooky | SBS On Demand

Birdz Feat. Fred Leone - Bagi-la-m Bargan | YouTube

Director of the Indigenous Working Group at Forest Stewardship Council of Australia, Rachel Cavanagh phones in to discuss the Sydney Science Trial, a free digital quest chockablock with interactive games, live-streamed talks and wild science shows. The program supported by the Australian Museum and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is currently underway until September 15th. Rachel also talked about the impacts of and opportunities for change that have arisen from the horrendous bushfires that ravaged the country earlier this year.

Areej is also joined by Walpiri, Jawoyn and Gurindji woman, Cerisa Grant who was recently appointed to Support Act’s First Nations Community Engagement / Social Worker role. The newly created role is designed to increase the number of First Nations artists, crew and music workers accessing the crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing services offered by Support Act.

Lastly, rapper, record label owner and comedy writer Adam Briggs joins Areej on the line to chat about what he’s been up to, his latest single Go To War featuring Thelma and his upcoming EP Always Was, his first solo release since 2014’s Sheplife. The new EP launches on Thursday, August 20th as part of Insides Sets virtual gig series and will be out everywhere on Friday, August 21st.

Sydney Science Trail | Homepage

Support Act | Homepage

Briggs Feat. Thelma Plum - Go To War

Inside Sets

Brigg - Always Was (EP)

Author of Hood Feminism, Mikki Kendal talks to Areej about the upcoming conversation she will have with Santilla Chingaipe on Saturday, August 15th at the 2020 Melbourne Writers’ Festival. Hood Feminism is an astute, powerful and sharp series of essays detailing the forgotten women of feminism.

Areej is also joined by Shalini Kantayya, the director of Coded Bias. A short film about systemic and racial biases built into AI and algorithmic software. The short film is streaming online as part of MIFF’s 2020 programming.

Lastly, Indigenous Art Code Chair, Stephanie Parkin discusses with Areej the launch of Our Art is Our Lifeline, a national campaign to encourage the purchase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to support their communities.

Event Tickets - Mikki Kendall Hood Feminism | MWF 2020

Hood Feminism | Penguin Random House

Coded Bias | MIFF 2020

Indigenous Art Code

Goenpul woman and academic, Professor Aileen Moreton-Robison joins Areej to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking book Talkin’ Up to the White Woman. A timeless work that undertakes an analysis of the whiteness of Australian feminism and its effects on Indigenous women. The book, re-released via University of Queensland Press includes an anniversary preface and review essay by Professor Moreton-Robinson. 

Also, Sydney based Indigenous hip hop artist, Ziggy Ramo chats to Areej about Black Thoughts, his newly released independent album. Underscored by soul, R&B and jazz-infused beats, Ziggy Ramo details his experience of growing up Indigenous in Australia. The album is out now and was Triple R’s Album of the week!

More info:

Talkin' Up to the White Woman (20th-anniversary edition) | UQP
Ziggy Ramo - Black Thoughts | Spotify
Follow Ziggy Ramo on Twitter
Follow Ziggy Ramo on Instagram
Album of the Week: Black Thoughts

Seed Mob Organising Coordinator, Tishiko King chats to Areej about the Environmental Film Festival of Australia & the online launch and screening of The Condor & The Eagle, a documentary about South American Indigenous leaders seeking climate justice for their communities. The documentary is set for international release on July 1st.

Areej is also joined by Gomeroi poet and researcher at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, Alison Whittacker, to discuss her piece for The Conversation, 'Despite 432 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991, no one has ever been convicted'

Lastly, Sydney based theatre actress and RnB, hip hop and soul musician, Okenyo phones in for a Q&A about her latest EP, Solo out now via Elefant Traks.


More info:

Alison Whittaker's Article

Watch "The Condor & The Eagle" Trailer on Vimeo

The Condor & The Eagle | Official Website

The Condor & The Eagle | IMDB

Listen to Okenyo - Solo

Areej is joined by Dr Andrew Peters, a proud Wurundjeri and Yorta Yorta man and senior lecturer at Swinburne University, to discuss the historical elements behind the Black Lives Matter Movement and how it relates to the lives of Aboriginal and First Nations People

Plus, writer Khalid Warsame chats to Areej about what he’s been up to during COVID-19 and his contribution to After Australia, an anthology of speculative fiction about imagining a post-white supremacist and post-colonial Australia.

After Australia | Affirm Press

Hayden Moon, proud queer Wiradjuri Brotherboy and co-founder of Trans Action Warrang, chats to Areej about their piece for Junkee, Australia Must Stop Turning A Blind Eye To Our Own Black Deaths.

Areej is also joined by Assistant Professor of Journalism, Equality and Diversity at the University of Minnesota, Danielle K. Kilgo to discuss her piece for The Conversation titled Riot or Resistance? How media frames unrest in Minneapolis will shape public's view of protest.
Also included in this podcast is Areej’s candid opening monologue about the underlying philosophy of The Rap, the worth of black life within the structures of white supremacy, why black people need specific media platforms, Aboriginal deaths in custody, and why Australia should step up.

The Rap is hosted by Areej Nur.


Trans Action Warrang | Facebook

Trans Action Warrang | Instagram

Legendary jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington jumps on the line to chat with Areej about writing and composing the soundtrack for the recently released documentary about Michelle Obama, Becoming. Kamasi digs deep, chatting about what jazz really means to him, the COVID-19 pandemic and his creativity in isolation.

Plus Tali Faulkner, aka Veselekov, of Māori game studio, Origame Digital talks about their latest independent video game, Umurangi Generation. A first-person photography game set in a futuristic and cyberpunk Tauranga, Aotearoa where you play as a courier for the Tauranga Express.

More info:

Becoming - Michelle Obama (Book)

Watch 'Becoming' on Netflix

Becoming (Music from the Netflix Original Documentary) | Spotify

Visit the Umurangi Generation Official Website

Follow Umurangi Generation on Twitter

Veselekov's YouTube Channel

This week on The Rap, Areej is joined by immigration lawyer Sanmati Verma to discuss Australia’s economic reliance on international students and the lack of support being provided to them during the COVID-19 crisis.

Also, performing artist Latai Taumoepeau talks about her role as a panellist in the Arts House Refuge Talk Series - “Preparing for a Pandemic” that happened on May 21st.

More info:

Undocumented Migrants Solidarity Facebook page

Areej interviews Dr Bryan Mukandi, a philosopher and lecturer in medical ethics at the University of Queensland, about his piece “Thinking Through Covid-19”. Melbourne based artist and scholar Hoda Afshar talks about her Art Forum conversation for the VCA and lastly, Sampa the Great phones in for a guest mix plus a chat about what she’s been up to whilst at home during the Covid-19 lockdown.