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.
The track follows his recent release 'PEACEKEEPER' and was co-written with Briggs, Haiku Hands, Rob Amoruso, Pip Norman, Ziggy Ramo and REDD.
It delivers the same energy as 'PEACEKEEPER' but with sharper lyrics and a more direct tone.
Baker Boy said the song pushes back against control and tokenism while keeping a playful edge.
"'FREAK OUT' 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," he said.
"It hits on the very real experiences of being a Yolŋu man in the city and living in the white world.
"The reality of balanda (non-Yolŋu) people touching my hair, tokenising me, and telling me how to live my life, but me taking back that control, and being like 'nah I'm not putting up with this, I'm going to live the way I want to'."
He noted Briggs brought a bold energy to the track, while Haiku Hands delivered a strong and unapologetic presence.
"Briggs brings this huge energy, reinforcing that we're not going to conform, we're not going to be a statistic, we're not going to fit their stereotype, he's braggy and arrogant, but keeps it playful and clever," Baker Boy said.
"Then Haiku comes in and brings the big feminist boss energy; they're bold and not holding back, again this idea of like 'nah we're not conforming to what you want us to be, we're doing what we want and taking ownership'."
Briggs said the collaboration had been a long time coming.
"It's about time! I've known Danzal for nearly 10 years; I watched him grow as a person and an artist – Yolngu & Yorta-Yorta connecting again!" he said.
The official video, filmed at Werribee Mansion, was co-directed by longtime creative partner Aurie Indianna and Melbourne filmmaker Jordan Ruyi Blanch.
Baker Boy said the video carried a different energy to his last clip.
"It's still dance focused, but with a different energy to PEACEKEEPER," he said.
"I'm owning the space more in this one. The vibe is fun, cheeky, and a little chaotic, just like the track."
Ms Indianna said the visuals were designed to reflect the rising intensity of the song and performance.
"Picking up where PEACEKEEPER left off, with Baker Boy transitioning from the balcony into the ballroom, we again used dance as a nod to his origins, but this time to challenge and disrupt the grandeur of the space," Ms Indianna said.
With both 'FREAK OUT' and 'PEACEKEEPER', Baker Boy is setting the tone for what could be his biggest chapter yet.