Miss Kaninna has released her long-awaited debut mixtape 'BLACKPRINT', a six-track project built around identity, self-determination, rage and joy.

The proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali sovereign woman moves across old-school hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B, rock, punk, grunge and bass-driven club music on the release, which features Kobie Dee (Gomeroi) and Jamahl Yami (Waanyi and Gangaliida).

Many of the tracks began as freestyles before developing as Miss Kaninna performed and travelled, with the project bringing together sounds she had explored at different stages of her career.

For Miss Kaninna, the title places Aboriginal people at the centre of the record.

"We know we're the key to start of civilisation, we're literally the blueprint and we don't care if white people agree or not, we aren't gonna wait for you," Miss Kaninna said.

'BLACKPRINT' follows her 2024 EP 'KANINNA', but presents an artist increasingly willing to take risks with both her sound and what she wants to say.

Produced by Miss Kaninna, with additional production from Lucy Blomkamp and executive production from Nikodimos, the mixtape combines heavy low-end production and rap with guitars, live instrumentation and elements drawn from punk and rock.

Miss Kaninna told National Indigenous Times the freedom of being an independent artist was important to the way 'BLACKPRINT' came together.

"Being an independent artist means that I don't have anybody above me to tell me what I can and can't," Miss Kaninna told National Indigenous Times.

"F*ck it, I'm just going to say what I feel."

That approach carries into the sound of 'BLACKPRINT', which Miss Kaninna described as deliberately energetic rather than weighed down by its subject matter.

Much of that direction was shaped by performing live and recognising the opportunity to make audiences move while also asking them to listen.

"I really have an opportunity to make people dance and make people listen," she said.

"That's why 'BLACKPRINT' is very high energy, high BPM, but also quite groovy."

Recent singles 'MOB TIES' and 'HANDOUT' established that direction ahead of the mixtape's release, with both rooted in old-school hip-hop.

'MOB TIES' began as freestyle verses written across multiple pieces of paper over about two months before Miss Kaninna pulled them together, drawing inspiration from the sound of Busta Rhymes, Timbaland and Missy Elliott.

She told National Indigenous Times the track was deliberately lyric-heavy, using vocabulary, references and double meanings that would land differently for listeners familiar with her upbringing and Black communities.

'HANDOUT', featuring Jamahl Yami, was written together in the studio and centres on Black power, rage and the double standards surrounding crime and prosecution in Australia.

'BLACKPRINT' also features 'LOOK AT ME NOW' with Kobie Dee, while focus track 'STOLEN WAGES' pushes further into the rock and punk energy running through the mixtape.

Miss Kaninna described 'STOLEN WAGES' as the track that anchors the project, drawing on the history of wages stolen from Aboriginal workers and families.

"Aboriginal people all over the country have had so many things stolen from us," Miss Kaninna said.

"A specific time recently my people and family had our wages stolen for fair work under the white Australian government and our families have never seen that money, nor will we ever.

"Another huge injustice that goes unspoken in this country and in schools, so you're going to learn about it now."

'BLACKPRINT' arrives after another stretch of international touring for Miss Kaninna, including a headline run through Europe and the UK.

The tour included Féile an Phobail in Belfast with Kneecap and Bob Vylan, where she led the sold-out crowd in chanting "Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land", as well as appearances at Sziget Festival and Boomtown Festival in the UK.

Her attention now turns back to Australia, with the expanded 'BLACKPRINT' headline tour beginning in Boorloo and several dates selling out or being upgraded after the tour was announced.

Festival appearances at Spilt Milk, Dingo Festival and Strawberry Fields are also scheduled, with MALI JO$E, TAIJA, WAARI and LAYESH among the announced tour supports.

'BLACKPRINT' is now available via Soul Has No Tempo / AWAL Recordings, including on limited yellow vinyl.