Budjerah

Budjerah Julum Slabb (/ˈbʊdʒəˌrʌ/ BUUJ-ə-ruh;[1] born 17 March 2002), known mononymously as Budjerah, is an Aboriginal Australian singer-songwriter from Fingal Head, New South Wales.[2] He is a Coodjinburra man from the Bundjalung nation.[3]

For his self-titled extended play, see Budjerah (EP).

Budjerah
Budjerah in 2022
Background information
Birth nameBudjerah Julum Slabb
Born (2002-03-17) 17 March 2002
Fingal Head, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • Guitar
Years active2019–present
LabelsWarner Music Australia (2020–present)
Websitebudjerah.com

His debut single "Missing You" was released in October 2020. Budjerah performed the track live for Australian live music program The Sound on 6 December 2020.[4] After winning the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist award at the 2021 ARIA Awards,[5] Budjerah went on to release his debut EP “Conversations” in April 2022 and launched his first-ever global tour.[6]

In 2023, Budjerah, won the Artist Of The Year award at the National Indigenous Music Awards.[7]

Early life

Budjerah Julum Slabb was born on 17 March 2002 in Fingal Head, New South Wales.[8][9] His parents are licensed pastors. Budjerah told NME "When I was born… it was like 'oh, we gotta do band rehearsal, we gotta do worship practice for Sunday' and I'd come along to that. I think just being surrounded by that, I learned a lot and it just stuck. I've just lived music all my life."[10]

Slabb said "I grew up singing Sam Cooke and listening to gospel singers like The Clark Sisters. That's the kind of music that has been around since I was little."[11]

Career

2019–2021: Debut EP
Main article: Budjerah (EP)

In 2019, Budjerah auditioned for The Voice (Australian season 8), singing "Climb Every Mountain" but did not progress past the blind auditions.[12]

In September 2019, he uploaded the song "River Dry" onto Triple J Unearthed.[3]

In 2020, Budjerah found kinship with Matt Corby, who produced his debut EP.[13] In October 2020, Budjerah released his debut single, "Missing You" which topped the Triple J airplay chart.[3]

Hayden Davies from Pilerats said "Missing You is a spectacular introductory moment for Budjerah that combines pockets of his life with the music that defined it, bringing together a tapestry of long-time influences spread through soul, hip-hop, R&B, indie and pop only to distil it into a sound that seemingly moves between all of them, capturing the multi-faceted musical brain of someone whose moment has been a long time coming."[14]

In March 2021, Apple Music announced Budjerah as its latest local Up Next artist, an initiative to identify and showcase rising talent from across Australia and New Zealand. Budjerah said "I'm really excited to be included in Up Next Local on Apple Music for my brand new EP which I wrote with Matt Corby at his studio just down the road from my house. The songs are about different times in my life and all the different emotions that I feel."[13]

His self-titled debut EP was released on 26 March 2021.

In May 2021, Budjerah released Budjerah (Live At Rainbow Valley) which was recorded at Matt Corby's titular studio and features a live rendition of each of the four tracks on Budjerah's self-titled debut EP. In addition to Corby, fellow artists Ngaiire, Ainslie Wills, JK-47 and Stevan feature on the new EP.[15]

In August 2021, a limited edition CD of the self-titled EP was released.[16] At the 2021 ARIA Music Awards, Budjerah won the ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release.

On 26 November 2021, Budjerah released "Wash My Sorrows Away".[17]

2022: Conversations
Main article: Conversations (Budjerah EP)

On 25 February 2022, Budjerah announced the release of his forthcoming EP Conversations, released on 8 April 2022 alongside his debut world tour.[18]

His single "Ready for the Sky" was released in July 2022 has been dubbed "irresistibly smooth"[19] and "a warm slice of soul"[20] that showcases "Budjerah's immersive vocal and lyrical skills."[21]

Budjerah supported Ed Sheeran on his 2023 Australian tour. In February 2023, Budjerah released "Therapy". About the track, Budjerah said "Therapy can come in many forms, but taking a step back and getting an outside perspective is something that has helped me."[22]

Budjerah also released single "Video Game" with the lyrics co-written by Meg Mac, Matt Corby, and Chris Collins.[23]

In June 2023, Budjerah released a cover of Crowded House's "Better Be Home Soon" with WILSN, as part of Mushroom Records' 50th anniversary celebration.[24]

Discography

Extended plays
List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title EP details Peak chart positions
AUS
[25]
Budjerah 72
Budjerah (Live at Rainbow Valley)
  • Released: 14 May 2021[27]
  • Label: Warner Music Australia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Conversations
  • Released: 8 April 2022[18]
  • Label: Warner Music Australia
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 97

As lead artist
List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown
Year Title Peak chart positions Certification Album
NZ
Hot
[28]
"Missing You"[29] 2020 — Budjerah
"Higher"[30] 2021 —
"Stranger Love"
(with Pnau)[31]		 34 TBA
"Talk"
(with May-a)[32]		 — Conversations
"Wash My Sorrows Away"[17] —
"What Should I Do?"[18] 2022 —
"Get Down"[33] —
"Ready for the Sky"[34] — TBA
"Sweet Disposition"
(with Ngaiire and Gretta Ray)[35]		 — Non-album single
"Therapy"[22] 2023 — TBA
"Better Be Home Soon"
(with WILSN)[24]		 —
"Video Game"[37] —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Year Title Album
2023 "Heavy Love"
(KYE featuring Budjerah)[38]		 Ribena

Music videos
List of music videos, with title, year released, and director(s) shown
Year Title Director(s) Ref.
2020 "Missing You" Mos & Co [39]
2021 "Higher" Mick Soiza [40]
"Stranger Love" (with PNAU) Tyler Hinde [41]
"Talk" (with May-a) Bourtney Crookes [32]
2022 "What Should I Do?" Mick Soiza [42]
"Get Down" Tatjana Hamilton [43]
"Ready for the Sky" (Live at Bakehouse Studios) Michael Ridley [44]
2023 "Therapy" Murli Dhir [45]
"Video Game"
"Heavy Love" (KYE featuring Budjerah)

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Stranger Love" (with PNAU) Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single Nominated [46][47]

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Budjerah Slabb Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated [48][49]
"Higher" (Budjerah Slabb, Matt Corby) Most Performed R&B/Soul Work of the Year Won
Song of the Year Shortlisted [50]
2023 "Ready for the Sky" Song of the Year Shortlisted [51]
Budjerah Slabb Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated [52]

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021BudjerahBest ArtistNominated [53][54]
Breakthrough ArtistWon
Best Soul/R&B ReleaseNominated
Mike Soiza for Budjerah – "Higher"Best VideoNominated
Budjerah 2021 Aus TourBest Australian Live ActNominated
Matt Corby for Budjerah – Budjerah (EP)Producer of the YearNominated
Engineer of the YearNominated
Chris Collins for Budjerah – Budjerah (EP)Nominated
2022 Conversations Best Solo Artist Nominated [55][56]
Best Soul/R&B Release Won
The Conversations Australian Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
Dann Hume & Eric J Dubowsky for Budjerah – Conversations Mix Engineer – Best Mixed Album Nominated
2023 "2step" by Ed Sheeran (featuring Budjerah) Best Solo Artist Pending [57]
"Therapy" Best Pop Release Pending
Song of the Year Pending
Murli Dhir and Made In Katana Studios for Budjerah – "Therapy" Best Video Pending
Budjerah Australian Tour Best Australian Live Act Pending

National Indigenous Music Awards

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Himself New Artist of the Year Won [58][59]
2023 Himself Artist of the Year Won [60][61]
"Therapy" Song of the Year Nominated
"Therapy" Film Clip of the Year Nominated

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Budjerah Best R&B or Soul Act Nominated [62][63]
Budjerah Best Live Voice in NSW Nominated

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[64]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Ready for the Sky" Best Single Nominated [65][66]
Budjerah Best New Artist Won

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[67]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Ready for the Sky" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 2nd [68]

References
  1. "Cup Of Tea With Budjerah". Warner Music New Zealand. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2023 – via YouTube.
  2. Carr, Teressia (18 September 2023). "Budjerah on being remembered and embracing old age". RUSSH. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  3. "Budjerah JJJ Unearthed". Triple J Unearthed. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  4. "The Sound: Series Two, Episode 6 – Mick Molloy". ABC iview. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  5. Langford, Jackson (24 November 2021). "Budjerah performs 'Missing You' before giving tearful speech at the 2021 ARIAs". NME. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  6. Brereton, Greta (24 February 2022). "Budjerah announces 'Conversations' EP, shares new single 'What Should I Do?'". NME. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  7. Brissenden, Neve (12 August 2023). "Budjerah takes out top gong at Indigenous Music Awards". National Indigenous Times.
  8. Campbell, Amy (30 June 2022). "Meet Budjerah, the budding Australian superstar you need to know". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  9. Budjerah (17 March 2022). "I'm 20 today! 🦖 Hope I haven't peaked yet 🎂". Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023 – via Facebook.
  10. Caleb Triscari (25 March 2021). "Budjerah: Soulful singer-songwriter and Matt Corby mentee offers vibey, relatable R&B". NME. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  11. "About". www.budjerah.com/. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  12. "The Blind Auditions: Budjerah Slabb sings 'Climb Every Mountain' The Voice Australia 2019". YouTUbe. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  13. "Apple Music picks Budjerah as its latest local Up Next artist". The Music Network. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
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  16. "Budjerah (EP, T-Shirt and Zine)". warnermusic.com.au. August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  17. Kennedy, Jade (26 November 2021). "Budjerah releases new single "Wash My Sorrows Away" after NIMA and ARIA wins". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
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    • Conversations: "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 18 April 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1676. Australian Recording Industry Association. 18 April 2022. p. 6.
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  43. "Budjerah - Get Down (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
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  67. "About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  68. "King Stingray nab the top gong and over $50k at global songwriting competition". MSN. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
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