“Big J aka James Nelson is an upcoming Warlpiri MC from Alice Springs (Mparntwe). He started rapping at the of 11 with his brother/cousin AJ Mic aka Ashley Marshall. He met Dan the Underdog at a Music Workshop at St. Joseph’s where he currently attends High School. In 2024, he started working in the studio with Dan the Underdog, his childhood Partner in rhyme AJ Mic would come along to some of the sessions, they recorded a few songs, including his first single “Lord Forgive Me” which also features Dan the Underdog and Ntaria Reggae legend, Jamie Fejo. The single was well received and gets regular play on Community Radio. He got some good National exposure when ABC News came to Dan the Underdog’s studio to discuss the work he does in the community, Big J was recording a song that day and got to be a part of the interview.
In May 2024, he wowed the audience when he performed his first solo single “We Still Here” live at Wide Open Spaces Festival in Ross River. On this song he discusses the harsh realities of being an Aboriginal man navigating a racist system. He is currently working on an EP of the same name. He intends to release “We Still Here” in August 2024.
His second single and first music video ‘Chosen’ with AJ Mic was released in Early June and was immediately picked up by Music NT and nominated for the NT Song of the Year in the Hip Hop Category. It’s still early days but there is big things in the pipeline for Big J, keep your eyes peeled.”
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/08okgiyef0EdRHvQ6uDxZj?si=v6CqUGMIRfCmiBoUFst28A
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/au/album/we-still-here-ep/1761189035
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lv09edQ3fs6NaAI7k7L-Kbr76Z9jCXvHE&si=piHleJcbAgDFEGQc
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Make sure to show your love and support for Indigenous music with a like and follow for them. It only takes a second to click a link and give their homegrown, self-produced original music a spin.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Mparntwe, Alice Springs, you can come to the Xpress workshop this Friday and showcase on Sunday.
Xpress events are completely free, so no excuses!
Get more info or register here:
https://www.globalsoundschool.com/xpress
Joining forces with the Red Dirt Poetry Festival you can check out the festival program here:
