Proud Noongar/Wongi man Joshua Eggington, AKA Flewnt, has won the 7News National Indigenous Times Community Leadership Award, being nominated as a finalist for his outstanding work across communities on a grassroots to global level.

The dream for Flewnt began with "just me, a pen, and a pad —writing bars and dreaming big", he told National Indigenous Times.

The art of rap originates from Black American storytelling, acting as a means to empower the voice of the marginalised. Intergenerational transmission of knowledge has been seen from the viewpoint of cultural ceremonies, dancing to the yidaki, clap sticks on an Indigenous person's Country of which they are an extension. Songlines and dance were used to honour the stories that shaped our warriors. Music has been woven into the bloodlines of First Nations People. Mr Eggington describes rap as "contemporary storytelling".

With a collective of creative visionaries, Flewnt aims to empower grassroots communities through his cultural leadership; he instils cultural pride in youth to build confidence and trust within their communities. The collective establishment of these visionaries is called FN Focus, founded by Mr Eggington with his team.

His attributed the success of FN Focus to his team.

"Together, we built a team, created high-level art, and earned the respect of our community. That means everything to me. The people around me have always been a big part of the reward."

Another big achievement "has been creating Banksia Beats Volumes - working with young people in youth detention, helping them find their voice through music in a space where they need it the most", he said.

Flewnt has helped mentor aspiring Indigenous musicians in high school with two separate acts winning the Triple J Unearthed High School Indigenous Awards in 2021 and 2023. INKABEE Flewnt's son and Proud Noongar Boys were recipients of the awards.

Flewnt's commitment to the community was recognised last year as he was awarded the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year for Melville, WA.

The proud First Nations artist empowers incarcerated youth to utilise music to explore cultural identity and be able to express the adversities that these youth have experienced during their formative years. Bringing attention to the hardships and human complexities that come with the lived experience of being Indigenous youth.

Flewnt shapes future generations by weaving culture into musical expression.