HOMETOWNS - Port Kembla, with DOBBY

DOBBY is a rapper, drummer and music composer. He proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, whose family is from Brewarrina on Ngemba land, and is a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Weilmoringle, NSW. He has performed extensively locally including BIGSOUND and Sydney Opera House, and internationally in Germany, UK, USA and Netherlands.

DOBBY recently took out best video for 'I CAN'T BREATHE' in the 2020 FBi SMAC Awards. I Can't Breathe has become the unofficial anthem of Australia’s Bla(c)k Lives Matter protests and being used throughout schools in Australia as material alongside curriculum to assist in educating students.

DOBBY was labelled as the 2018 "BIGSOUND buzz act" with his live show being described as "mind blowing", "dynamic" & "powerful". As the tour continued internationally, DOBBY was listed by media reviews as one of the top 10 buzz acts to come out of both 2019 The Great Escape, UK, and Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, from a lineup of over 450+ artists!

DOBBY is a multi-instrumentalist who's is increasingly being known for bouncing between piano, drums, & drum pads, with his unique signature ‘drapping’ (rapping & drumming at the same time).

DOBBY is a rapper, drummer, speaker and workshop facilitator. Aged 26, he proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, whose family is from Brewarrina on Ngemba land, and is a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Weilmoringle, NSW. He is also a skilled music composer, and is the 2017 recipient for the bi-annual Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship.

DOBBY released his self-titled ‘DOBBY’ EP in September 2018, which he wrote and produced. The DOBBY E.P tour kicked off with a loud bang, making rapid waves in the Australian music scene. With incredible shows at BIGSOUND, Sydney Opera House and Surry Hills Festival, OzAsia Festival in Adelaide and No Place Like Home.

DOBBY is a multi instrumentalist, his live shows consist of him jumping between the drums and mic, while also incorporating piano and live drum pads, and is accompanied by incredible turntablist DIOLA. The DOBBY EP Tour has continued into the new year, additional tour dates are listed below.

DOBBY’s musical training began at age 7. He studied classical piano and achieved AMEB grade 6 and grade 2 musicianship. At age 14, he learned jazz drumkit, and in 2012 performed as part of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music in California and Nevada, USA. DOBBY has completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of NSW, and an Indigenous Studies Honours (focusing on Aboriginal Hip Hop music) in 2015.

He has performed as a rapper and drummer for a variety of events such as BIGSOUND 2017/18, The Plot Festival, Yabun Festival, UNSW corporate and academic functions, Koori Radio events and at numerous NAIDOC celebrations across so-callled Australia. He recently spoke on a panel as part of VIVID Sydney’s VIVID Ideas Exchange.

DOBBY is also a rapper and drummer for Sydney band Jackie Brown Jr.

The DOBBY EP.

Tracks off the EP have been added to a number of Spotify playlists including Deadly Beats and Black Australia.

The EP was listed as 1 of 6 "incredible Australian artists you need to hear this week" on Tonedeaf, being described as a “sonic showcase of rhythm”.

Listed as the "BIGSOUND buzz act" DOBBY's live show has been described as "mind blowing", "dynamic" and "powerful".

Internationally, DOBBY was listed as one of the top 10 buzz acts to come out of The Great Escape, UK, and Reeperbahn Festival, Germany, each festival hosting a lineup of over 450+ artists.

“His super smooth (and damn quick) flow simultaneously harkens back to Aussie hip hop or year's gone by, while still feeling fresh” - Pilerats

“DOBBY’s flow and wordplay is so damn good” - Declan Byrne, Home & Hosed - Triple J

“DOBBY is a compelling new voice in Australia’s hip hop community” - OzAsia Festival