Dobby (musician)

Australian musician

Rhyan Clapham, known by his stage name Dobby (stylised as DOBBY), is a Filipino-Aboriginal Australian musician. He describes himself as a "drapper", a contraction of rapper and drummer,[1] although he also plays other instruments and is also a composer. He sometimes raps with the indie rock band Jackie Brown Jr, but on his own is mainly a hip hop artist.

He is known for his 2020 single "I can't breathe", featuring BARKAA, as well as other work. In 2022 he won the Archie Roach Foundation Award.

## Early life and education[edit]

Rhyan Clapham was born in Wollongong. His mother had emigrated in 1985 from Tacloban in the Philippines, while his father is from Brewarrina, New South Wales, Australia.[2] His father's mother was a Muruwari woman from Ngemba country in Brewarrina.[3] He is a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Brewarrina.[4]

Clapham studied classical piano in primary school from the age of seven, achieving AMEB Grade 6 in piano, and Grade 2 Musicianship. He then went on to study jazz drumming in high school, from age 14.[4] He began listening to rappers like Outkast, Eminem, and 50 Cent, before turning to "more nuanced sounds of the culture", such as Lauryn Hill, Common, The Pharcyde, J Dilla, and MF DOOM.[5]

Clapham acquired the nickname Dobby in primary school.[6]

He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at UNSW,[7] specialising in percussion and piano.[5] In 2015 he completed honours in Indigenous Studies, also at UNSW, focusing on Aboriginal hip hop music.[5][7]

## Musical career[edit]

Clapham describes himself as a "drapper", a contraction of the words rapper and drummer.[5] He also plays piano.[8]

He has performed at numerous festivals around Australia, including BIGSOUND (Queensland), Parrtjima in Alice Springs, Northern Territory (2021 and 2022),[7] The Plot, and Yabun Festival, as well as many Koori Radio and NAIDOC celebratory events.[8] He was a performer in Kevin Hunt's "Our music" concert at the Sydney Conservatorium,[4] and has also performed at the Sydney Opera House,[7] doing an entire 45-minute set to an empty Joan Sutherland auditorium, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[2] He performed as part of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music in California and Nevada in the US,[4] and has also performed in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands.[7]

He has been developing his skills in music composition, being mentored by Chris Sainsbury (Indigenous composer and senior lecturer at ANU School of Music[9]), and was supported by the Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship for a couple of years from 2017.[5]

He released his first EP, DOBBY, in 2018.[8] In October of that year, he appeared in Adelaide as part of the OzAsia Festival, headlining a show at Nexus Arts, supported by DyspOra and ELSY.[10]

In April 2019 DOBBY appeared at the Boomerang Festival, a section of Bluesfest at Byron Bay dedicated to Indigenous performance, art and culture.[11] In October 2019 he again appeared at OzAsia in Adelaide, this time with folk artist Naomi Keyte, and accompanied by the five-piece Afro-jazz band Didier Kumalo (led by guitarist Dylan Marshall, founding member of the Shaolin Afronauts).[12] The online magazine Clothesline gave the performance five stars.[13] Also in 2019, he released a cover version of "We Have Survived" by Aboriginal band No Fixed Address.[14]

His 2020 single "I can't breathe", featuring BARKAA, became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement in Australia, and has been incorporated into some school curricula.[7][15] The song references a number of issues specific to Indigenous Australians, such as the forced removal of children from families in the past, the high levels of Indigenous Australian incarceration, Aboriginal deaths in custody.[16]

For years before 2021 and continuing, he has been working on a major project called Marshmallow, an 18-track work. In 2021 he and his band toured extensively in regional areas across Australia, including Brewarrina, as well as capital cities, including Brisbane.[2]

DOBBY performed alongside BARKAA at the Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations in 2021/22.[17]

In June 2022, DOBBY presented WARRANGU; River Story at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in partnership with Vivid Sydney.[7] The project is an eight-track video which tells a story about the use and misuse of the land and rivers around the river system around Brewarrina.[2]

In November 2022, he collaborated with other First Nations artists Emma Donovan, Emily Wurramara, Drmngnow, and Optamus to create a song in memory of Cassius Turvey, a Noongar-Yamatji boy who had died at the age of 15 the result of an assault by a random attacker when walking home from school in Perth, Western Australia. The song, titled "Forever 15",[18] was played at Turvey's funeral on 18 November 2022[19] and was released three days later on 21 November 2022.[18][20]

On 24 January 2024, DOBBY released a new single and video, "Ancestor", through ABC Music. It is a preview track from his debut album, WARRANGU: River Story, due to be released on 14 June 2024.[21]

### Jackie Brown Jr[edit]

DOBBY raps with a band called Jackie Brown Jr.[5] The five members of the indie rock and soul band[22] met while studying music in 2013. In October 2018 they released their debut EP Over-Abroad, and toured the country during the following two months. The band members are:[23]

* Madeleine Mallis (of Good Pash) – lead vocalist and saxophonist
* Rhyan Clapham (DOBBY) – drummer, MC
* Michael J Brady – guitarist and keyboard player
* Gideon Traurig – bass
* Hilary Geddes (of The Buoys) – guitar

## Musical style and themes[edit]

DOBBY believes that hip hop music is a powerful educational tool:[5]

> Hip hop is a conduit to your story, and your own expression of self. No one can take that story away from you, especially when you shout those words out over a beat that leaves people dancing all night. Your entire story in 16 bars, 32 bars, it reaches their ears... In Australia, we use hip hop to educate, express, and bring people together. For our mob in particular, we use it to also empower and strengthen, and speak truths about injustices.

He is passionate about reconciliation in Australia, which needs action, not just words; everyone in Australia can contribute to this in different ways. He believes in using his music to help reconciliation.[2] His single "Walk Away" critiques the constant dismissal and erasure of Australia's indigenous history and colonialism.[24]

## Other activities[edit]

DOBBY is also a workshop facilitator and speaker.[8] In 2018, he spoke at Vivid Ideas at Sydney's Vivid festival,[5] and in 2019 at the JLF Adelaide (Jaipur Literature Festival in Adelaide, South Australia).[8]

He co-hosted a hip hop show on FBi Radio with Krystel Diola[5][25] from 2016 until 2019.[26] Diola is a Filipina-Australian multi-instrumentalist, who toured with DOBBY as part of his band in 2021.[2]

## Discography[edit]

### Albums[edit]

List of albums, with selected details  Title  | Details

|

Warrangu (River Story) |

* Scheduled: 14 June 2024
* Format: CD, digital
* Label: ABC Music (ABCM0024)

### Extended Plays[edit]

List of EPs, with selected details  Title  | Details

|

Dobby |

* Released: 4 September 2018
* Format: Digital
* Label: Dobby

### Singles[edit]

Title  | Year  | Album

|
|

"Peregrine"  | 2018  | Dobby (EP)
"My Mind
"Falling Down"
(Dion Condack featuring Dobby) | Non-album single
"I Can't Breathe"
(with Barkaa[27])  | 2020  | TBA
"Susie Q"
(with Jackie Brown Jr) | 2022
"Walk Away"
(featuring The Merindas)
"Ancestor"[21] | 2024  | Warrangu: River Story
"Matter of Time"[28]

### Other appearances[edit]

List of other non-single song appearances  Title  | Year  | Album

|
|

"We Have Survived"  | 2019  | Deadly Hearts 2[14]
"1770"  | 2020  | Ngarra-Burria Piyanna: Indigenous composers make an old piano sing[29]

## Awards and nominations[edit]

In 2017 Clapham was awarded the Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship, an award for emerging composers and performers worth A$30,000.[30][4][31] He used the award to develop his musicianship, and, in particular, to further his work on the stories of the Brewarrina Ngunnhu (Ngemba for "fish traps").[5] This led to the creation of WARRANGU; River Story, which premiered at Art Gallery NSW in June 2022.[7]

In 2020, his music video for "I can't breathe" (directed by Luke Currie-Richardson and Benjamin Ling[16]) won best video at the FBi SMAC Awards.[7]

### National Indigenous Music Awards[edit]

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004. The National Indigenous Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music.

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2022 | Dobby  | New Talent of the Year  | Nominated  | [32][33][34]
Archie Roach Foundation Award  | Won

### National Live Music Awards[edit]

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognize contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year  | Nominee / work  | Award  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2023 | Dobby  | Best Live Drummer  | Nominated  | [35]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Blong, Emma (1 May 2018). "Rhyan Clapham AKA 'Dobby' talks to Create NSW ahead of Listen Here Now at Vivid Ideas". Create NSW. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
2. ^ a b c d e f DOBBY (17 June 2021). "Meet Dobby, the Filipino-Aboriginal rapper calling for environmental action" (audio (22 mins)). SBS Filipino (Interview). Interviewed by Violata, Annalyn. SBS. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
3. ^ Rhyan Clapham (June 2022). "Cutting Edge: Infusing hip-hop and classical". Limelight. pp. 51–52.
4. ^ a b c d e "Artistic excellence defines 2017 Fellowships in NSW". Australian Arts Review. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Clapham, Rhyan (1 May 2018). "Rhyan Clapham AKA 'Dobby' talks to Create NSW ahead of Listen Here Now at Vivid Ideas". Create NSW (Interview). Interviewed by Blong, Emma. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
6. ^ "Interview // Dobby & The Rise of Aboriginal Hip-Hop". deadset. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Memory history power (Rhyan Clapham)". Canberra Symphony Orchestra. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
8. ^ a b c d e "DOBBY". Jaipur Literature Festival. 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
9. ^ "Dr Christopher Sainsbury". ANU. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
10. ^ OzAsia Festival 2018 brochure. 14 August 2018. p. 34. Retrieved 28 November 2022 - via Issuu.
11. ^ "Boomerang Festival returns to Byron Bay Bluesfest in 2019". Australian Arts Review. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
12. ^ "OzAsia Festival October 17 - November 3 2019". Canberra Critics Circle. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
13. ^ "Symbiosis: A powerful, thought provoking and totally brilliant performance ~ OzAsia Festival 2019 review - Digital Arts Magazine". The Clothesline - Digital Arts Magazine. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
14. ^ a b "We Have Survived" at AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
15. ^ "Study of the rap song 'I Can't Breathe' by Illawarra Rapper DOBBY (Rhyan Clapham)" (PDF).
16. ^ a b DOBBY - I Can't Breathe (Feat. BARKAA) on YouTube 27 July 2020.
17. ^ "Australia rings in the New Year with spectacular fireworks, heatwave and Omicron not deterring revellers". ABC News. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
18. ^ a b "DOBBY, Emily Wurramara, Kee'ahn, DRMNGNOW and more feature on song honouring the late Cassius Turvey". NME. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
19. ^ Ho, Cason (18 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey funeral: hundreds mourn slain teenager and celebrate his life". ABC News. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
20. ^ "Forever 15". Apple Music. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
21. ^ a b Guenzler, Joseph (26 January 2024). "DOBBY releases new single 'Ancestor' with accompanying music video ahead of debut album". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
22. ^ "Jackie Brown Jr". Michael J Brady. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
23. ^ Davies, Hayden (12 May 2015). "Get to know Jackie Brown Jr, who just announced their debut EP and a huge Aussie tour". Pilerats. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
24. ^ "DOBBY RELEASES NEW SINGLE 'WALK AWAY'". Against The Grain. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
25. ^ "Sunset with Dobby and Diola with Raj Mahal and Young Jaycee". FBi Radio. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
26. ^ "Krystel Diola". EMC – Electronic Music Conference. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
27. ^ Byrne, Declan (10 November 2020). "Bars behind bars: How jail and motherhood forced rising rapper Barkaa to turn life around". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
28. ^ "DOBBY releases new single 'Matter of Time' ahead of June album launch". National Indigenous Times. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
29. ^ "Ngarra-Burria Piyanna: Indigenous composers make an old piano sing (2020)". ABC Classic. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
30. ^ "Rhyan Clapham talks about winning the 2017 Peter Sculthorpe Music Fellowship and the pressure to succeed" (audio (1 min.)). ABC Classic. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
31. ^ Centre, Australian Music (8 December 2017). "Create NSW Fellowships to Rhyan Clapham and Cat Jones : News (Australian) Article : Australian Music Centre". Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
32. ^ "Nominees and Performers Announced For National Indigenous Music Awards 2022". Music Feeds. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
33. ^ "2022 NIMAs: Baker Boy Wins Two Awards, Archie Roach and Gurrumul Honoured". The Music Network. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
34. ^ "Uncle Archie Roach: Remembered by Rhyan Clapham". Reconciliation Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
35. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

## External[edit]

* Official website
* Clapham, Rhyan and Kelly, Benjamin (2019) "“I Got the Mics On, My People Speak”: On the Rise of Aboriginal Australian Hip Hop," Journal of Hip Hop Studies: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 18.

*[TBA]: To be announced
*[Ref.]: Reference