Barkindji rapper BARKAA has released her first single of 2025, 'Ngamaka', featuring fellow Barkindji man and Elder Uncle Leroy Johnson.

The track, produced by Jayteehazard, delivers a direct message about the environmental degradation of the Murray-Darling Basin.

It highlights the impacts of climate change, over-irrigation, and mining on the Darling River (Baaka), which holds deep cultural, spiritual and social significance for the Barkindji people.

BARKAA said the word "Ngamaka" means "mother" in Barkindji language.

"Our river is our mother; our water is our mother and heartbeat," she said.

"Whenever the river is depleted, we feel down as people."

Uncle Leroy said the song's lyrics were drawn from the pain felt after the mass fish deaths at Menindee.

"Nhaampa Puka means Bony Bream dead," he said.

"The Bony Bream is my totem… I wrote that through the eyes of our old people and tried to describe the devastation we saw through song.

"Music is the best way to share our language and our stories."

The accompanying music video was filmed on Barkindji Country at Menindee Lakes, Steamers Point, Wilcannia, and Mutawintji National Park.

Directed by Kieran Mpetyane Satour and shot by Ryan Andrew Lee, it visually captures the significance of the river.

BARKAA described the video shoot as a milestone moment.

"It has been a long time coming to bring it back home and bring it on Country," she said.

"I think the music video will speak for itself."

Uncle Leroy emphasised the significance of the location in the video.

"It is the most beautiful spiritual place on earth… I hope it shows people our place and how important it is for us to protect it," he said.

BARKAA said collaborating with Uncle Leroy and writing about Country was both emotional and empowering.

"It was beautiful to write. It was emotional, I did cry when I was writing it… I feel very proud," she said.

She added the song is intended to speak to younger listeners, including those concerned about climate change.

"It's important for me to be a storyteller and pass down stories and songlines through music," she said.

"To be able to share our issues, what we're passionate about, what keeps us strong, and what keeps our next generation going is why I do it."

The release follows BARKAA's recent performance at the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round at the MCG, where she performed with BRIGGS and Kobie Dee.

She will appear at Vivid Sydney on Saturday 7 June as part of the 'Big Sis' event celebrating Bad Apples Music's 10-year anniversary and female Indigenous excellence.

'Ngamaka' is out now via Bad Apples/UMA.