WA rapper pays tribute to family's land rights battle, defends lyrics

Western Australian rapper Kayps, also known as Kurrungaya Bieundurry, drew inspiration from a family photo of his late grandfather's participation in a historic land rights protest during the creation of his debut album, Bunuba Baby. Released in August, the album climbed to number 2 on the Australian hip hop charts and has since been nominated for a significant Australian music award.

The artwork for the album features three generations of Kayps' family, with his father painting the Indigenous symbol, Pirlirr, on the cover. Bunuba Baby delves into Kayps' family's struggle for land rights, which he hopes will inspire younger Indigenous people to connect with their culture. Born and raised in a remote Kimberley town, Kayps discovered hip-hop at the age of 13, initially busking to afford production software.

Struggling as the only black student during high school, Kayps sought to express himself through his music, with his newer work becoming more politically charged, particularly addressing issues of police and systemic oppression. As a result, Bunuba Baby has sparked controversy, with Kayps aiming to inspire younger Indigenous people to reconnect with their culture and embrace their individual identities.