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, although he also plays other instruments and is also a composer. Dobby is also a workshop facilitator and speaker. In 2018, he spoke at Vivid Ideas at Sydney's Vivid festival, and in 2019 at the JLF Adelaide (Jaipur Literature Festival in Adelaide, South Australia). He is known for his 2024 album Warrangu: River Story, for which he won an ARIA Music Award.

## Early life and education

[edit]

Rhyan Clapham was born in Wollongong, New South Wales. In 1985, his mother had emigrated from Tacloban in the Philippines, while his father is from Brewarrina, New South Wales, Australia.[1] His father's mother was a Muruwari woman from Ngemba country in Brewarrina.[2] He is a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Brewarrina.[3]

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.[3] 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.[4] Clapham acquired the nickname Dobby in primary school.[5]

He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at UNSW,[6] specialising in percussion and piano.[4] In 2015 he completed honours in Indigenous Studies, also at UNSW, focusing on Aboriginal hip hop music.[4][6]

## Musical career

[edit]

Clapham describes himself as a "drapper", a contraction of the words rapper and drummer.[4][7] He also plays piano.[8]

In 2017 Clapham was awarded the Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship, an award for emerging composers and performers worth A$30,000.[9][3][10] 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").[4]

In 2018, he released his debut self-titled EP.[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.[11]

In April 2019, Dobby performed at the Boomerang Festival, a section of Bluesfest at Byron Bay dedicated to Indigenous performance, art and culture.[12]

In October 2019 he performed OzAsia in Adelaide.[13] The online magazine Clothesline gave the performance five stars.[14] Also in 2019, he released a cover version of "We Have Survived" by Aboriginal band No Fixed Address.[15]

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.[6][16] 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.[17] "I Can't Breathe" won Best Video at the FBi SMAC Awards in 2020.[18] Dobby performed alongside BARKAA at the Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations in 2021/22.[19]

In June 2022, DOBBY presented Warrangu: River Story at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in partnership with Vivid Sydney.[6] 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.[1]

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",[20] was played at Turvey's funeral on 18 November 2022[21] and was released three days later on 21 November 2022.[20][22]

In May 2023, Dobby released the single "Walk Away"" which critiques the constant dismissal and erasure of Australia's indigenous history and colonialism.[23]

In December 2023, Dobby released "Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya", the lead single from his debut album, Warrangu: River Story. This was followed in January 2024 with "Ancestor". Warrangu: River Story was released on 14 June 2024.[24] At the 2024 ARIA Music Awards, the album won ARIA Award for Best World Music Album.[25]

In 2024, Dobby was narrator for Baleen Moondjan, a work commissioned by the Adelaide Festival, created by former Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page, performed on the beach at Glenelg. With music composed by Steve Francis, the performance combined contemporary dance, storytelling, and songs in English, Jandai, and Gumbaynggirr/Yaegl languages.[26][27][28]

In January 2025, Christine Anu released the Dobby produced song "Piki Lullaby"[29]

### Jackie Brown Jr

[edit]

DOBBY raps with a band called Jackie Brown Jr.[4] The five members of the indie rock and soul band[30] 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:[31]

* 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:[4]

> 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.

## 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"[32] | 2018  | Dobby (EP)
"My Mind"[33]
"Falling Down"
(Dion Condack featuring Dobby)[34] | Non-album single
"I Can't Breathe"
(with Barkaa[35])  | 2020  | TBA
"Susie Q"
(with Jackie Brown Jr)[36] | 2022
"Ric"
"Walk Away"
(featuring The Merindas)[37]
"That's Not Me"
(featuring L-FRESH the Lion)[38]
"Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya"[39] | 2023  | Warrangu: River Story
"Ancestor"[24] | 2024
"Matter of Time"[40]
"Language is in the Land"[41]
"Get Up"
(with True Vibenation and Billie Rose)[42] | 2025  |

### Other appearances

[edit]

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

|
|

"We Have Survived"  | 2019  | Deadly Hearts 2[15]
"1770"  | 2020  | Ngarra-Burria Piyanna: Indigenous composers make an old piano sing[43]
"Bars of Steel" (Triple J Like a Version)  | 2024  | Triple J Like a Version

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

### AIR Awards

[edit]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

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

|
|
|
|

2025 | Warrangu: River Story | Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP  | Nominated  | [44]

### ARIA Music Awards

[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.

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

|
|
|
|

2024 | Warangu; River Story | Best World Music Album | Won  | [45][25]

### Australian Music Prize

[edit]

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $50,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. They commenced in 2005.

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

|
|
|
|

2024  | Warrangu: River Story | Australian Music Prize  | Nominated  | [46]

### J Awards

[edit]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

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

|
|
|
|

2024 | Dobby  | Double J Artist of the Year  | Nominated  | [47]

### 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  | [48][49][50]
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  | [51]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b 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.
2. ^ Rhyan Clapham (June 2022). "Cutting Edge: Infusing hip-hop and classical". Limelight. pp. 51–52.
3. ^ a b c "Artistic excellence defines 2017 Fellowships in NSW". Australian Arts Review. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
4. ^ a b c d e f g 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.
5. ^ "Interview // Dobby & The Rise of Aboriginal Hip-Hop". deadset. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
6. ^ a b c d "Memory history power (Rhyan Clapham)". Canberra Symphony Orchestra. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ a b "DOBBY". Jaipur Literature Festival. 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
9. ^ "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.
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ OzAsia Festival 2018 brochure. 14 August 2018. p. 34. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via Issuu.
12. ^ "Boomerang Festival returns to Byron Bay Bluesfest in 2019". Australian Arts Review. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
13. ^ "OzAsia Festival October 17 - November 3 2019". Canberra Critics Circle. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
14. ^ "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.
15. ^ a b "We Have Survived" at AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
16. ^ "Study of the rap song 'I Can't Breathe' by Illawarra Rapper DOBBY (Rhyan Clapham)" (PDF).
17. ^ DOBBY - I Can't Breathe (Feat. BARKAA) on YouTube 27 July 2020.
18. ^ "Ziggy Ramo, Barkaa Lead FBi Radio's 2020 SMAC Awards Winners". Music Feeds. January 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
19. ^ "Australia rings in the New Year with spectacular fireworks, heatwave and Omicron not deterring revellers". ABC News. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
20. ^ 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.
21. ^ Ho, Cason (18 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey funeral: hundreds mourn slain teenager and celebrate his life". ABC News. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
22. ^ "Forever 15". Apple Music. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
23. ^ "Dobby Releases New Single 'Walk Away'". Against The Grain. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
24. ^ 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.
25. ^ a b Hewson, Georgie (20 November 2024). "ARIA Awards 2024 full winners' list: Royel Otis takes home four awards and Troye Sivan three". ABC News. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
26. ^ "Baleen Moondjan". Adelaide Festival. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
27. ^ Routley, Nicholas (4 March 2024). "Baleen Moondjan and Guuranda". Australian Stage Online. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
28. ^ Keen, Suzie (29 February 2024). "Adelaide Festival review: Baleen Moondjan". InReview. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
29. ^ "Piki Lullaby". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
30. ^ "Jackie Brown Jr". Michael J Brady. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
31. ^ 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.
32. ^ "Premiere: Meet exciting young rapper DOBBY, and his debut music video for Peregrine". Pilerats. 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
33. ^ "Rapper DOBBY's latest single is a dedication to Aboriginal struggle". SBS. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
34. ^ "Dion Condack And Dobby Are Standing Up For Sydney Fringe". Scenestr. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
35. ^ 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.
36. ^ "Susie Q". AmRap. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
37. ^ "Dobby News". 25 July 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
38. ^ "DOBBY calls out cultural tokenism with potent "That's Not Me" featuring L-FRESH The LION". 29 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
39. ^ Joseph Guenzler (1 December 2023). "Dobby releases new single, Dirrpi Yuin Patjulinya, makes debut album announcement". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
40. ^ "DOBBY releases new single 'Matter of Time' ahead of June album launch". National Indigenous Times. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
41. ^ ""Language is in the Land" is the latest single from DOBBY's debut album "Warrangul; River Story"". YouTube. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
42. ^ "Get Up". YouTube. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
43. ^ "Ngarra-Burria Piyanna: Indigenous composers make an old piano sing (2020)". ABC Classic. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
44. ^ "The Nominees for the 2025 AIR Awards Are Here". The Note. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
45. ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
46. ^ "SoundMerch Australian Music Prize Unveils 2024 Shortlist". The Music. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
47. ^ Varvaris, Mary (1 November 2024). "Amyl And The Sniffers, Speed, Emily Wurramara Lead 2024 J Award Nominees". The Music. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
48. ^ "Nominees and Performers Announced For National Indigenous Music Awards 2022". Music Feeds. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
49. ^ "2022 NIMAs: Baker Boy Wins Two Awards, Archie Roach and Gurrumul Honoured". The Music Network. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
50. ^ "Uncle Archie Roach: Remembered by Rhyan Clapham". Reconciliation Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
51. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

## External links

[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.

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

|

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