Gabadu

Gabadu is a Djiringandj man of the Yuin people from Bermagui, New South Wales, whose vibrant blend of hip-hop, R&B and urban funk has earned him recognition far beyond the South Coast. His music is described by organisers as featuring “soul-infused beats and clear, dynamic vocals”.

Since his first streaming release in 2022, Gabadu has been a breakthrough regional Aboriginal voice. As one local paper noted, “Djiringandj rapper Gabadu from Bermagui … has boosted his musical career with the release of his first single on streaming platforms today”. His tracks also appear as part of the album Djamaga Music, a landmark South-Coast First Nations collaborative project that brought together local Aboriginal songwriters and musicians.

His live performances have drawn praise from regional festivals looking to showcase local cultural capacity. In programming for the Wanderer Festival, organisers singled him out as “an incredible Bermagui-based hip-hop artist … a class rapper”. Moreover, at the Songs from Yuin Country project, his contribution alongside the Djinama Yilaga Choir was singled out as helping create a show that resonated with people and connected them with broader audiences.

Gabadu’s creative work expresses themes of identity, culture and place. One article explains that growing up in Bermagui he sees music “as a positive way to get a message across to our youth … I am a Djiringanj man … I write and perform to share messages about our culture … I draw on my own life experiences when I write.” As such, his artistry sits at the intersection of storytelling, community voice and contemporary sound, earning him growing critical acclaim in the regional and Aboriginal music scenes.