Jimblah

Jimblah (born James Alberts) is an indigenous Australian hip hop artist from the Larrakia nation who lives in South Australia and tours nationally. He has released two solo albums and an album with his duo Homeward Bound. He is signed to the Elefant Traks label and has collaborated with many Australian artists including Coda Conduct, Horrorshow, The Tongue and Urthboy. Jimblah is also an advocate for indigenous music and indigenous rights.

Jimblah
Background information
Birth nameJames Alberts
BornBroome
Occupation(s)
  • hip hop artist
  • musician
  • songwriter
Years active2005–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Keyboards
  • Production
Labels
Associated actsHomeward Bound

Music career

Jimblah began rapping and writing lyrics at the age of 12. Ten years later, he was awarded the Hilltop Hoods Initiative and began work on his first album.[1] Face the Fire was released independently in 2011, and was re-released by Elefant Traks the following year after he signed to the label. His second album Phoenix was released in 2013. Jimblah has appeared as a guest vocalist on many other artists' releases. He has performed covers on Triple J's Like a Version including Matt Corby's "Resolution" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On?"[2] and has been a Triple J Feature Artist of the Week.

Homeward Bound

Jimblah also raps and produces with his partner Goji (Georgia Humphreys) in a project called Homeward Bound. Homeward Bound's first album Whatever You Do, Don't Panic was released on Elefant Traks in 2019.[3]

Activism

Jimblah often makes strong social and political statements in his lyrics. An example of this is the single Black Life Matters, which features additional vocals from Ellie May and makes references to his great grandmother, Hilda Muir.[4] Muir campaigned for an apology to the Stolen Generations, of which she was a survivor, and while the apology was eventually delivered, her parallel campaign for reparations was unsuccessful. Jimblah has expressed his desire to pick up where his great grandmother left off.[5]

In 2019, Jimblah started a petition requesting for national broadcaster Triple J to start a First Nations music show.[6] His lobbying led to the formation of the First Sounds: First Nations Collective for Traditional and Contemporary Music. Its members include high-profile artists such as Yothu Yindi, Shellie Morris, Thelma Plum, Emily Wurramara, Mojo Juju and Baker Boy's drummer Benny Clark.[7] Jimblah has spoken out about racism in the Australian music industry and mentors emerging indigenous hip hop artists.[8]

References
  1. "HILLTOP HOODS | HTH INITIATIVE". Retrieved 2020-03-04.
  2. "Rapper calls for Triple J to showcase indigenous artists". InDaily. 2019-07-25. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  3. "Creative Couples: Adelaide's Rapper-Producer Jimblah and Singer Goji". Broadsheet. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  4. "The 5 incredible Australian artists you need to hear this week". Tone Deaf. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  5. Jimblah covers Marvin Gaye for Like A Version, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2020-01-24, retrieved 2020-03-03
  6. "Indigenous Artists Are Petitioning Triple J To #ChangeTheGame With A First Nations Show". Junkee. 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  7. Dale, Jessica (2019-07-25). "Introducing First Sounds: The First Nations Music Collective With Jimblah, Mojo Juju & More". The Music. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  8. Taylor, Andrew (2013-07-12). "Hip hop a poor cop in a white man's world". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
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