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Gela
Studio album by
Baker Boy
Released15 October 2021
Length43:40
Language
Label
Producer
Singles from Gela
  1. "Cool as Hell"
    Released: 25 January 2019
  2. "Meditjin"
    Released: 21 November 2019
  3. "Move"
    Released: 27 March 2020
  4. "Ride"
    Released: 25 March 2021
  5. "My Mind"
    Released: 15 July 2021
  6. "Butterflies"
    Released: 17 September 2021
  7. "Survive"
    Released: 15 October 2021

Gela is the debut studio album by Indigenous Australian rapper Baker Boy, released on 15 October 2021 through Island Records Australia and Universal Music Australia. Gela features guest appearances from JessB, G Flip, Jerome Farah, Thando, Yirrmal, Lara Andallo, and Uncle Jack Charles, alongside production from former TZU member Pip Norman, Willie Tafa, Carl Dimataga, Morgan Jones and Farah.

The album title Gela is Baker's skin name in Yolngu culture.[1]

Gela was supported by seven singles—"Cool as Hell", "Meditjin", "Move", "Ride", "My Mind", "Butterflies", and "Survive".

At the J Awards of 2021, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.[2] At the National Indigenous Music Awards 2022, the album won Album of the Year.[3][4]

At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, the album won Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, Best Hip Hop Release/Rap Release, Best Mixed Album and Best Cover Art.[5]

At the 2022 Music Victoria Awards, the album won Best Victorian Album.[6][7]

Background

[edit]

Baker's debut album follows several years of releasing stand-alone singles.[8] On 18 January 2019, Triple J published a piece detailing their most anticipated albums of the year, which featured Baker's forthcoming debut on the list. A representative for him detailed the album's musicality, revealing it would include "dancehall, traditional, trap, G-Funk and your original Baker Boy styles."[9] On 25 January 2020, in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald's Craig Mathieson, Baker discussed his intention to release an album before the end of the year, stating: "Finishing an album is one of my main priorities for this year. It's almost finished, so I want everyone to get ready for what's going to happen."[10] On 27 March, Baker premiered the single "Move" on Triple J's Sally & Erica. In an accompanying interview, he revealed details of the album, saying he was "super-pumped" about it, and was "three or two" songs away from completing it.[11]

Recording

[edit]

During recording for the album alongside various producers, Baker worked 14-hour days from 10am to midnight (AEST).[10]

Release

[edit]

On 13 April 2018, Baker first teased a debut album alongside the premiere of "Mr. La Di Da Di" in a Triple J interview, stating that he hoped to release an album or EP "by July or even two months after that", adding "if I can't do it this year, I'll have two albums next year."[12] On 4 May 2018, he further teased his debut album, stating he was "currently working on finishing up [his] album.[13] Baker initially intended to release his debut album in mid-2019[9] and then August,[14] and again in 2020.[10] On 24 March 2021, in an interview with Triple J's Bryce & Ebony, Baker reaffirmed his intention to release a debut album.[15] On 16 July, a day after the release of "My Mind", Baker announced that the album would be titled Gela and revealed its release date of 15 October.[16] Gela has been described as highly anticipated.[17][18]

Promotion

[edit]

Singles

[edit]

Gela was supported by seven singles.

"Cool as Hell" was released on 25 January 2019 as the album's lead single.[19][14]

"Meditjin", featuring JessB, was released as the second single on 21 November 2019.[20][f]

"Move" was released as the third single on 27 March 2020.[8]

"Ride", featuring Yirrmal, was released as the fourth single on 25 March 2021.[22]

"My Mind", featuring G Flip, was released on 15 July 2021 as the album's fifth single.[23]

"Butterflies" was released on 17 September 2021 as the album's sixth single.[24]

"Survive", featuring Uncle Jack Charles, was released alongside the album on 15 October 2021 as the seventh and final single.[25]

Marketing

[edit]

On 19 July 2021, Baker made an appearance as a guest host on eighth episode of the ninth series of Have You Been Paying Attention?, during which he discussed his forthcoming album and the release of his single "My Mind".[26][27]

Artwork

[edit]

According to Rolling Stone Australia, Gela's front cover features "striking artwork by iconic street artist Adnate [that] perfectly encapsulates the concept behind the record, which sees Baker Boy coming to terms with the sudden fame he's experienced in the past few years, while still maintaining close ties to his family and community in Arnhem Land."[16]

Critical reception

[edit]

Andrew McMillen of the Australian praised the album as "impressive and versatile", writing that Baker "balance[d] poppy accessibility with battle-ready fierceness and deeper messages."[28]

Track listing

[edit]
Gela track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Announcing the Journey" (performed by Glen Gurruwiwi)  0:52
2."Survive" (featuring Uncle Jack Charles)
 3:14
3."My Mind" (featuring G Flip)
Philip "Pip" Norman3:17
4."Ride" (featuring Yirrmal)
Norman3:39
5."Butterflies"  3:56
6."Cool as Hell"
  • Dimataga
  • Jones
3:06
7."Move"
 2:46
8."Headphones" (featuring Lara Andallo)
  • Baker
  • Andallo
 2:46
9."Somewhere Deep" (featuring Yirrmal)
  • Baker
  • Marika
 3:34
10."Funk with Us"  3:03
11."Stupid Dumb"  3:15
12."Meditjin" (featuring JessB)
Farah2:59
13."Ain't Nobody Like You" (featuring Jerome Farah)
  • Baker
  • Farah
 3:35
14."MYWD" (featuring Thando)
 3:38
Total length:43:40

Personnel

[edit]

Musicians

[edit]
  • Danzal Baker – main artist, associated performer, vocals, writing (1–14)

Other musicians

  • Georgia Filpo – vocals, writing (3)
  • Yirrmal Marika – vocals, writing (4)
  • Dallas Woods – writing (3, 4, 6, 7)
  • Pip Norman – writing, production (4)
  • Justin Marshall – performing, percussion (4)
  • Lachlan Mclean – performing, baritone saxophone, tenor (4)
  • Luke Dubber – performing, synthesiser (4)
  • Tristan Ludowyk – performing, trumpet (4)
  • Brendan Tuckerman – lyricist (6)
  • Carl Dimataga – lyricist (6)
  • Jesse Ferris – lyricist (6)
  • Morgan Jones – lyricist (6)
  • James Iheakanwa – lyricist (7)
  • Willie Tafa – lyricist (7)
  • Jessica Bourke – vocals, writing (12)
  • Jerome Farah – vocals (13), writing (12–13)

Technical

[edit]
  • Matt Colton – mastering, studio personnel (1–5, 7–14)
  • Andrei Eremin – mixing, studio personnel (2–5, 7–14)
  • Carl Dimataga – production (6)
  • Morgan Jones – production, studio personnel (6)
  • Neville Clark – mastering engineer, studio personnel (6)
  • Dave Hammer – mixing, studio personnel (6)
  • Willie Tafa – production, engineering, studio personnel (7)
  • Jerome Farah – production, engineering, studio personnel (12)

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Gela
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[29] 3

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for Gela
Region Date Format Label Catalogue Ref.
Various 15 October 2021
Not applicable [30]
Australia 15 October 2021 CD
  • Island
  • Universal
 3841120 [31]
Australia 15 October 2021 LP
  • Island
  • Universal
 3841122 [32]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Track 4
  2. ^ Track 6
  3. ^ Track 6
  4. ^ Track 7
  5. ^ Track 12
  6. ^ "Meditjin" was described as a standalone single upon release,[21] before later being confirmed as the second single.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Newstead, Al (19 October 2021). "Baker Boy's inspiring Gela is all for vibing and thriving, not surviving". triple j. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (1 November 2021). "Triple j reveals J Awards nominees". The Music Network. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Nominees and Performers Announced For National Indigenous Music Awards 2022". Music Feeds. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  4. ^ "2022 NIMAs: Baker Boy Wins Two Awards, Archie Roach and Gurrumul Honoured". The Music Network. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  5. ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  6. ^ "2022 Music Victoria Awards Reveal Public Voting Categories Nominees". The Music Network. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2022 Winners". Scenestr. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b Rose, Anna (1 May 2020). "Baker Boy releases official music video for 'Move'". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. ^ a b Newstead, Al; Tencic, Nat; Quinn, Max; Bracken, Claire (18 January 2019). "triple j's most anticipated albums of 2019". Triple J. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Mathieson, Craig (25 January 2020). "Expectations high for fabulous Baker Boy and his new album in 2020". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  11. ^ Newstead, Al (27 March 2020). "First Spin: Baker Boy's 'Move' pays tribute to the strong women in his life". Triple J. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  12. ^ Newstead, Al (13 April 2018). "First Spin: Baker Boy bops on the deadly funk of 'Mr La Di Da Di'". Triple J. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  13. ^ "5 highlights of 2018 so far with Baker Boy". Scenestr. 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  14. ^ a b Tuskan, Peter (29 January 2019). "SOTD: Baker Boy brings the heat with 'Cool as Hell'". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  15. ^ Fuamoli, Sose (26 March 2021). "First Spin: Baker Boy and Yirrmal link back up for new single 'Ride'". Triple J. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  16. ^ a b Jenke, Tyler (16 July 2021). "Baker Boy announces long-awaited debut album, 'Gela'". Rolling Stone Australia. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  17. ^ a b Fry, Courtney (16 July 2021). "Baker Boy, a man with 16 awards, a heap of bangers & a fkn OAM, just announced his debut album". Pedestrian.TV. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  18. ^ Langford, Jackson (16 July 2021). "Baker Boy's first album is imminent". MTV Australia. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  19. ^ Tencic, Nat (25 January 2019). "First Spin: Baker Boy sounds 'Cool as Hell' on Thundamentals collab". Triple J. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  20. ^ Langford, Jackson (21 November 2019). "Baker Boy teams up with JessB for new song 'Meditjin'". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  21. ^ Newstead, Al (21 November 2019). "First Spin: Baker Boy serves up a dose of 'Meditjin' with NZ rapper JessB". Triple J. Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  22. ^ Rose, Anna (25 March 2021). "Baker Boy collaborates with Yirrmal on fresh new single, 'Ride'". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  23. ^ Bracken, Clare (15 July 2021). "First Spin: Baker Boy ft. G Flip introduce you to 'My Mind'". Triple J. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  24. ^ Triscari, Caleb (17 September 2021). "Baker Boy releases new high-energy single "Butterflies"". NME Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  25. ^ Langford, Jackson (15 October 2021). "Watch Baker Boy's raw, one-take video for new song 'Survive'". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  26. ^ @HYBPA (19 July 2021). "A huge thank you to the amazing @bakerboymusic for joining us on #HYBPA! Baker Boy's new single 'My Mind' featuring G Flip is OUT NOW!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Watch Have You Been Paying Attention? live or on-demand". Freeview. 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  28. ^ McMillen, Andrew (15 October 2021). "Outstanding debut for multi-talented Baker Boy". The Australian. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  29. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Baker Boy – Gela". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Gela by Baker Boy on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  31. ^ "Gela". JB Hi-Fi. 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Gela (Limited 180gm Colour Vinyl)". JB Hi-Fi. 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
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