Walmatjarri and Bunuba hip hop artist Kayps has released new single 'SHIPS' featuring brothers Flewnt and JJ Vacant ahead of his debut album and an Australian tour.
The Boorloo-based songwriter and producer will release Bunuba Baby through Bad Apples Music on August 14.
'SHIPS' combines the perspectives of three West Coast rappers while exploring Kayps' experiences with identity, race and the questions he struggled to raise as a teenager.
Kayps described the track as an outlet for frustrations he carried during his school years.
"'SHIPS' was either the second or third track we started on this project because I knew I wanted this grimy boom-bap cut to have its moment to shine on this project," Kayps said.
"I instantly knew this was a moment to express frustration that I felt throughout my teenage years being the only black kid in the school I was at and I wanted to convey that through the tone of delivery but also cut through with using that as an opportunity to ask the questions that I didn't feel confident enough to ask when I was in those moments.
"As soon as I laid those first verses down, it was a no-brainer to ask Flewnt and JJ Vacant to jump on board to offer their perspective which brought so much value to the sentiment of this track."
Kayps had announced Bunuba Baby following its lead single "765", which examined his relationship with culture, growing up mixed race and reconnecting with family and Country.
The album continues those themes through stories about culture, identity and his experiences growing up.
Kayps won the triple j Indigenous Initiative in 2021 and was a Top 5 finalist in the Unearthed High competition in 2021 and 2022.
He has also performed at WAMFEST, BIGSOUND and the Sydney and Austin editions of SXSW, while supporting artists including Kneecap, Denzel Curry and Sudan Archives.
Kayps will take the album on tour from August to October.
Bunuba Baby Australian tour:
August 27 - Phoenix Central Park, Gadigal Country/Sydney
August 29 - Bar Open, Naarm/Melbourne, co-headlining with Ricky Neil Jr
September 11 - Rosemount Hotel, Boorloo/Perth
September 18 - Six Degrees, Kinjarling/Albany
September 19 - Settlers Tavern, Wooditjup/Margaret River
October 9 - The Roey, Rubibi/Broome
'SHIPS' is available now through streaming platforms.
