The Rap

Every autumn and spring, the FUSE festival transforms Darebin into a dynamic hub of creativity. The festival ignites the suburb, bringing together artists, the community, and audiences to visit the parks, theatres, galleries, and other public spaces. Yorta Yorta artist & Project Curator of Wurru-Wurru, Allara Briggs Pattison joins Areej to talk about the exhibition, combining the work of six local artists to create brand new works inspired by the theme of Wurru-Wurru, which means “Sacred Kingfisher” and “sky” in Woiwurrung language. Sydney-based rapper, JarmarzOnMarz is operating in largely uncharted waters being an openly gay male rapper but that hasn’t stopped him from expressing his views over rap, R&B and afrobeat influenced instrumentals. He joined Areej to discuss his new latest single and music video for Tomorrow, a straight to the point masterclass with lyrics that switch between English and Swahili as he sings about queer love in an ode to his current partner. Wurru Wurru | FUSE Darebin Follow Allara Briggs Pattison | Instagram JamarzOnMarz | Linktree Follow JamarzOnMarz | Instagram JamarzOnMarz - Tomorrow (Music Video) | YouTube

Earlier this year the 22nd Biennial of Sydney ran from March to October. It was an artist and First Nations-led endeavour presenting an expansive exhibition of contemporary art that connected local communities and global networks. Creator and co-editor of NIRIN NGAAY/NIRIN NAARM, Brook Andrew joins Areej to talk about the exhibition moving to the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. The exhibition now being presented online includes a selection of video works, in addition to a filmed curatorial introduction from Brook Andrew himself and an online public program with participating artists. More info on the talks, program & featured artists can be found on ACCA’s website. The Melbourne Fringe Festival is in full swing with a mixture of on and offline events. Visual artist and proud Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara woman, Rosie Kalina chats to Areej about Mtalks First Nations Women’s Bodies in Colonial spaces - A Deadly Fringe yarn. The free talk covers the complexities and intersections of being a First Nations woman or person who has a lived experience of misogyny, particularly focusing on social media. As well as discussing the ways First Nations women's bodies have been depicted in a Colonial context, fat-phobia, selfies, body autonomy and how to find the up-sides of social media when it comes to self-image. NIRIN NAARM | ACCA MTalks – First Nations Bodies in Colonial Spaces | Melbourne Fringe

Creating and ensuring diversity in the music industry is an ongoing and ever-challenging battle. Luckily, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators there will soon be more support available. National Manager of NATSIMO, Leah Flanagan joins Areej to discuss a new strategic plan and curation of a virtual masterclass series to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and artists develop songcraft, creativity, and professional development skills for a thriving and self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music community. The masterclass series is set to launch in 2021. NATSIM0 | Facebook NATSIM0 | Instagram NATSIM0 - Music Creators | APRA AMCOS

Living in the “cool zone” sounds great, but not that’s not the case for people actually living in it. Culture and tech writer for Vice/ Motherboard, Gita Jackson joins Areej to discuss what the 'cool zone' even is plus the experience of living in Trump’s American during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing an American perspective of the upcoming US election. Back home in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are grossly overrepresented in the out-of-home care system which is leading to them feeling increasingly disconnected from their family and culture. Meriam man and CEO of The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) and Co-founder of the Family Matters campaign, Richard Weston joins Areej to talk about The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle Indicators 2018–19 report, which measures the progress towards implementing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle – to ensure the value of culture to the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is embedded in policy and practice. We're All Living In The Cool Zone Now | Vice Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children increasingly disconnected from family and culture | SNAICC

National Co-director of Democracy in Colour, Neha Madhok joined Areej to discuss the recent report released by the Migrant Workers Justice Initiative, As If We Aren’t Human, that detailed the abandonment of temporary migrant workers in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the recent announcement by the federal government to introduce an English language test prior to being accepted for a partner visa. Areej is also joined by Tharawal and Yorta Yorta woman, activist and lecturer in criminology at Western Sydney University, Robyn Oxley who talked about her recent piece for IndigenousX and The Guardian, Defunding the police and abolishing prisons in Australia are not radical ideas. In the article, Oxley argues that the ongoing deaths of First Nations people in custody, high incarceration rates, and brutal policing require these systems to be dismantled. Lastly, Sydney based writer, commentator, and author, Cole Brown jumps on the line to chat about his recent book Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World, a work that asks an important question: What is Blackness? As If We Aren't Humans: The Abandonment of Temporary Migrant Workers in Australia during Covid-19 | MWJI Neha Madhok | Twitter Defunding the police and abolishing prison are not radical ideas | The Guardian Robyn Oxley | Twitter Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World | NewSouth Books Cole Brown | Twitter

Content warning: The first interview with Dr. Hannah McGlade is heavy and covers distressing topics. If you wish to skip ahead, jump to 17:56 Noongar woman and Senior Indigenous Research Fellow at Curtin University, Dr. Hannah McGlade joins Areej to discuss the damning report by Human Rights Watch, ‘He’s Never Coming Back’: People with Disabilities Dying in Western Australia’s Prisons. The report examines the serious risk of self-harm and death Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners with mental health issues are under whilst in custody in Western Australia’s prison system. Also, Zambian-born musician Sampa the Great and Senior Clinical Psychologist at Pola Psychology, Nasalifa Namwinga join Areej to discuss their partnership that aims to raise funds and decrease the number of hurdles in the way of delivering culturally safe mental health care to African youths. The collaboration is hoping to raise $20,000 that will go towards paying for a full year’s worth of therapy for African youths. 'He's Never Coming Back' | Human Rights Watch Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support Sampa the Great X Pola Psychology | Pola Psychology Donate to the Sampa the Great x Pola Psychology fund Psychology Today Australia Our Directory | Instagram

Senior Lecturer at University of Brighton, Dr. Marlon Moncrieffe joins Areej to discuss his recent piece for The Conversation, Facing up to cycling’s history of anti-blackness. An in-depth article detailing the past transgressions against black athletes throughout elite and professional cycling competitions. Dr. Moncrieffe also discussed the difference between championing diversity and anti-racism along with the pros and cons associated with each action. Tour De France 2020: Facing up to professional cycling's history of anti-blackness | The Conversation

Author and American culture critic from Northwestern University, Dr. Lauren Michele Jackson joins Areej to talk about her latest book White Negroes ahead of her appearance at Broadly Speaking for the Wheeler Centre. Dr Jackson's work explores the new generation of whiteness thriving from the expense and borrowed ingenuity of black people. Plus the founder of The Artists of Colour Initiative, Tarik Frimpong pops in to chat about the launch of a scholarship competition to provide both financial assistance and industry support for BIPOC theatre performers. Lastly, poet, activist, and youth ambassador, Solli Raphael joins Areej for a yarn about his new book Spotlight. Featuring five non-fiction chapters, Solli encourages readers to find their voice, learn the forms and occupation of writing as well as discussing how to use and gain a platform. Solli also performs his slam poem, 72 Years, an inspiring piece about how we can live each day to its fullest potential. Lauren Michele Jackson - White Negroes | Penguin Random House Broadly Speaking: Power, Privilege and Pushing Back | Wheeler Centre AOC Initiative Website Solli Raphael - Spotlight | Penguin Random House

Areej is joined by Wamba Wamba First Nations person and Centre Manager of the Indigenous Law Centre UNSW, Eddie Synot who discussed the university’s open letter that called for urgent action to address the over-incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Plus Ayan Shirwa returns to talk about all things pop culture, tv films including Michaela Cole’s I May Destroy You as well as a brief retrospective about the passing of Chadwick Boseman and the film Black Panther. Lastly, Melbourne based musician and DJ, Mulalo hops on the line to chat about their new single 30, an ode to Melbourne’s western suburbs, as well as dropping a guest mix. Read the Open Letter here I May Destroy You - Official Trailer | YouTube Listen to Mulalo - 30 | SoundCloud Listen to Mulalo's Guest Mix | SoundCloud

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.

Areej is joined by writer and Noongar woman Claire G. Coleman to discuss her essay for the Koorie Heritage Trust titled “COVID and Colonialism” as part of the KHT Voices series. Plus, Dr. Victor Sojo Monzon, a lecturer and research fellow at the Centre for Workplace Leadership, Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne, joins Areej on the line to chat about his piece in Pursuit; “The Toxic Spread of COVID-19 Racism”. More reading: The Toxic Spread of COVID-19 Racism - Dr. Victor Sojo Monzon KHT Voices Project from Koorie Heritage Trust. Terra Nullius from Claire G Coleman COVID and Colonialism

Creative Director of YIRRAMBOI festival and proud Yalukit-willam woman, Caroline Martin, talks to Areej about the commissions for the 2021 YIRRAMBOI festival closing and the launch of their Blak Bloggers Project. Plus, local artist, musician and DJ, Hamishi discusses the release of his latest graphic novel, Airport Love Theme, COVID-19 rent strikes as well as dropping a guest DJ mix. More Info: Official YIRRAMBOI Website Blak Bloggers Project Airport Love Theme | Book Works UK Airport Love Theme | Idea Books Aus Rent Strike Site COVID-19 Rent Strike Petition

Aboriginal lawyer descended from the Larrakia people of Darwin and legal director at the Human Rights Law Centre, Shaleena Musk discusses with Areej why reducing the amount detainees within confined spaces at immigration and detention facilities lowers the risk that such institutions become epicentres in the midst of an outbreak and the new policing powers brought in due to Covid-19. Plus, Sims from Sydney community radio station, Afrika Connexions chats to Areej about the history of the station as well as dropping a guest mix!

Director of the Migrant Workers Centre, Matt Kunkel, joins Areej to discuss the urgent need for migrant workers to be given access both healthcare and welfare support during the current pandemic and what can be done to solve this issue. Also, Wergaia / Wemba Wemba woman and folk /indie singer, Alice Skye, phones up to have a nice chat plus share some of her favourite tracks. Migrant Workers Centre Website

Wondering how to connect with others during the unique time of a Pandemic?  This week, Areej Nur is joined by racial and economic justice campaign Roj Ahmedi, to talk about everything from good TV to watch, how to organise and build communities in a crisis and the VIC police taskforce being activated around covid-19. Also on the line with Areej is local DJ,event curator and radio broadcaster MzRizk for a check in on what they've been working on while practicing social distancing.

Turkish-Australian writer and scholar, Eda Günaydin phones in to talk about her latest piece, Your Life’s Work, an examination about how our lives have turned into our work. The piece, published on Lifted Brow, is an important read for creative people. Also, Indigenous pop duo, The Merindas, join Areej in the studio to play some of their songs plus discuss their upcoming performance at the Brunswick Music Festival and their debut album, We Sing Until Sunrise (Ngaangk Nookertiny Ngala Warangka) Read "Your Life's Work" | Lifted Brow We Sing Until Sunrise | Spotify

This week on The Rap, Areej discusses the lack of of black, brown and femme voices editing and and contributing to Wikipedia with Caroline Phillips (Secretary of Women's Art Register) ahead of the Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon Melbourne, Australia event. She's also joined by London-based artist, musician, multi-instrumentalist and broadcaster Hannah Catherine Jones (aka Foxy Moron) who is in town for her lecture-performance 'Afrofuturism & Gesamtkunstwerk' at LOOP bar in the CBD.

Gunnai-Kurnai & Gunditjmara woman Lidia Thorpe joins Areej for a conversation about Pay the Rent - a campaign and movement established to seek justice and reparations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

On this episode, Areej is joined by Mimo Mukii, filmmaker and creator of I SEE YOU - a platform established in Melbourne, Australia to discuss and celebrate cinema from Africa and the diaspora - about their regular screenings and the film Faat Kiné. Also, community organiser and campaigner Ella Shi discusses her piece in Overland Literary Journal on the racialisation of the discourse surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

On this episode of The Rap, Areej is joined by Kamilaroi astrophysics student Krystal De Napoli to talk about her research into Indigenous astronomy. Also, Canadian drag artist Weird Alice Yankadic discusses their practice and show as part of the Midsumma Festival in Melbourne, Australia.

Creative producer, storyteller and author Alia Gabres discusses her debut children's book Haboba’s House.