Djandjay
| Djandjay | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 10 October 2025 | |||
| Length | 38:24 | |||
| Languages |
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| Labels | ||||
| Producers |
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| Baker Boy chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Djandjay | ||||
| Singles from Djandjay (Deluxe) | ||||
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Djandjay is the second studio album by Indigenous Australian rapper Baker Boy. The album was released on 10 October 2025 through Island Records Australia and Universal Music Australia.[1]
Baker said the album title is named after his late grandmother and a Yolŋu spiritual figure — an octopus spirit said to guide souls. Baker Boy said "Djandjay is about truth. It's about strength and defiance. I put my whole self into this album – and it feels like all of me is in there."[1] Baker Boy also said, "This is my strongest, most powerful work yet."[7]
Baker Boy also said "Djandjay is me stepping into a new era, owning my music, my art and my direction. This body of work is wholly me and everything I stand for. It's proud, it's Blak, it's vulnerable, it's angry, it's nuanced. I'm here to show everyone that I'm more than what they expect of me."[8]
The album has five interconnected music videos filmed inside Werribee Mansion.[9]
The album will be supported by an Australian tour in April and May 2026 and appearances at Perth Festival and WOMADelaide 2026.[10][8][5]
At the 2025 J Awards, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.[11]
At the National Indigenous Music Awards 2026, the album won for Album of the Year.[12][13]
A deluxe version was released on 21 August 2026, with three new tracks.[14]
Promotion
[edit]Singles
[edit]"Peacekeeper" was released on 14 March 2025 as the album's lead single. Emma Mack from The Music described the song as a "gritty, energetic and uplifting track" that is "tackling themes of prioritising your own self-worth and personal peace."[2]
"Freak Out" was released as the second single on 23 May 2025. Baker Boy said the song "is all about the bratty energy, it's a bit of an f you to the man, to the 'grown ups' and to the system but done in kind of a cheeky and playful way. It hits on the very real experiences of being a Yolŋu man in the city and living in the white world."[3]
"Lightning" was released as the third single on 25 July 2025. Baker Boy said "It has this kind of cheeky arrogance to it, but during the writing process, I was touching on the pressures and expectations I feel to kind of be this perfect role model and I guess coming to terms with not being able to make everyone happy."[1] It in, Baker Boy sings in three languages, Yolŋu Matha, English and Burarra.[15]
"Thick Skin" was released on 5 September 2025. In interviews, Baker Boy explained that the song was fuelled by his anger after the failed 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum and ongoing attacks on First Nations people.[4] At the National Indigenous Music Awards 2026, the song won Film Clip of the Year and Song of the Year.[12][13]
"Running Low" was released on 10 October 2025 as the fifth single.. About the single, Baker Boy said "I was talking about being on the road, the pressure to create — but also the sacrifice of living away from community, of missing funerals and carrying that weight. It was a favourite from the demo, originally, I sang the hook, but bringing in Pardyalone gave it this crazy energy. His voice just hits."[5]
Artwork
[edit]The album's cover art has Baker Boy in a black Gucci suit and draped in a handwoven Pandanus mat made by his family. This is traditionally used for fishnets and baskets. Baker Boy said, "It's a reminder of home, of culture, and of the support I carry with me even when I'm far from community."[7]
Reception
[edit]Joseph Guenzler from National Indigenous Times said "Where Gela introduced audiences to Baker Boy's vibrant energy and party anthems, the new record reveals a more mature and layered side tackling resilience, identity and growth."[9]
Lauren McNamara from Rolling Stone Australia called it Baker Boy's "most powerful, strongest work yet." and said "It blends ancestral influences with sharp-edged global production, folding in Yolŋu Matha, English, and Burarra across a dynamic soundscape that spans hip-hop, punk, gospel, and electronic textures."[16] The Australian called it "bold, unflinching and beautifully striking".[17]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Biggest Mob" |
|
| 2:40 |
| 2. | "Peacekeeper" |
|
| 2:57 |
| 3. | "Keep Up" |
|
| 3:16 |
| 4. | "Freak Out" (featuring Briggs and Haiku Hands) |
|
| 4:02 |
| 5. | "Djapa (Interlude)" |
|
| 0:15 |
| 6. | "Mad Dog" |
|
| 3:14 |
| 7. | "Running Low" (featuring Pardyalone) |
|
| 2:57 |
| 8. | "Mala (Interlude)" |
|
| 0:41 |
| 9. | "Thick Skin" (featuring Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Kee'Anh, and Jada Weazel) |
|
| 4:06 |
| 10. | "Amala (Interlude)" |
|
| 0:18 |
| 11. | "Lightning" (featuring Redd) |
|
| 3:27 |
| 12. | "Menace" |
|
| 2:57 |
| 13. | "War Cry" (featuring Jean Deaux) |
|
| 4:02 |
| 14. | "Mustard Yellow" |
|
| 3:32 |
| Total length: | 38:24 | |||
The deluxe edition released in August 2026, included the following three tracks. All other tracks moved down one spot.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Curse" |
|
| 2:51 |
| 11. | "Disappear" (with BVT) |
|
| 2:56 |
| 15. | "Yolŋu Fever" |
|
| 2:59 |
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Tidal.[18]
- Danzal Baker – vocals, didgeridoo on "Biggest Mob" and "Mad Dog"
- Andrei Eremin – mixing, mastering
- Pip Norman – engineering
- Rob Amoruso – engineering
- Pat Morrissey – engineering on "Mad Dog"
- Jacob Farah – engineering on "Menace"
- Gloria Kaba – engineering on "War Cry"
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[19] | 13 |
| Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA)[20] | 1 |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "'My Strongest, Most Powerful Work Yet': Baker Boy Announces Second Studio Album Djandjay". Rolling Stone Australia. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Baker Boy Returns With Gritty New Single 'Peacekeeper'". Music Feeds. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Yolŋu artist Baker Boy has released a new single "Freak Out" teaming up with Yorta-Yorta/Wurundjeri/Wemba-Wemba man Briggs and Australian electropop trio Haiku Hands". National Indigenous Times. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- 1 2 Varvaris, Mary (5 September 2025). "'I Was Angry': Baker Boy Opens Up About Punk-Inspired New Track "Thick Skin"". The Music (magazine). The Brag Media. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Baker Boy Drops Second Album Djandjay, Shares New Single & Video "Running Low"". The Note. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ↑ "Baker Boy Releases releases Djandjay (deluxe) & Official video for "Yolŋu Fever"". amnplify. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Baker Boys Highly Anticipated Second Album Set for Release". National Indigenous Times. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Baker Boy Steps Into A New Era With Deeply Personal Second Album Djandjay". noise11. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- 1 2 "a bold new era for Baker Boy". National Indigenous Times. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ↑ "Baker Boy Announces Australian Tour". Rolling Stone Australia. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ↑ "Get around all the nominees for the 2025 J Awards". Triple J. 3 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- 1 2 "Baker Boy Dominates 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 Tilda Colling (8 August 2026). "Birdz and Fred Leone, Baker Boy among winners at 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Baker Boy releases Djandjay (Deluxe) album". National Indigenous Times. 21 August 2026. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
- ↑ "Baker Boy Announces New Album Djandjay". The Music. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ↑ ""It's Blak Power" Baker Boy Breaks Down His New Album Djandjay". Rolling Stone Australia. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ↑ "Baker Boy's Bold Return". The Australian (newspaper). 3 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ↑ "Djandjay / Baker Boy / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.