| Yirrmal | |
| Birth Name: | Yirrmal Marika |
| Birth Date: | 1993 |
| Birth Place: | Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Origin: | Northern Territory, Australia |
| Years Active: | 2013–present |
Yirrmal Marika (born 1993), known mononymously as Yirrmal, is an Indigenous Australian vocalist. A Yolngu man, his music features traditional sounds and elements of Yolŋu music.[1]
Yirrmal Marika was born in 1993 in Yirrkala in the Rirratjingu clan and began learning music at age 11.[2]
Yirrmal's father, Witiyana Marika, was a singer and dancer in Yothu Yindi and is related to Dr Gurrumul Yunupingu on his mother's side.[1] [2] Yirrmal cites his grandfather and former lead singer of Yothu Yindi, Dr Yunupingu as his biggest influence saying "He was my inspiration since I was a kid. He did great things for all Australians. There are a lot of other Indigenous people that I look up to also – people such as Archie Roach, Gurrumul, Saltwater Band, Dan Sultan, Jessica Mauboy and Rrawun Maymuru. I see what they have done for their people."[2]
Yirrmal moved to Geelong, Victoria in 2011.[3]
In 2013, Yirrmal released his debut single "Deep Blue Sea". He performed the song at numerous events including Australasian Worldwide Music Expo as a solo artist and as Yirrmal & The Yolngu Boys.[2]
In November 2016, Yirrmal released his debut EP Youngblood, telling the ABC Radio "We're living in two worlds, learning in two worlds, carrying a message, a sharing of culture".[4] Melissa Davis from Forte Magazine gave the EP 5 out of 5 saying "His rich voice combined with his lyrics tells the stories of dreams, the issues in society and his culture – a unique insight."[3] ABC Radio called it "deeply affecting and joyously celebrating his upbringing and place in the world."[5]
In 2017, Yirrmal featured on Baker Boy's "Marryuna". The song ranked at number 17 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017.[6] At the Music Victoria Awards of 2018 "Marryuna" won Best Song.[7] and at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2018, the video won Film Clip of the Year.[8]
In August 2022, Yirrmal released "Promised Land", featuring Dami Im. The song was produced by Andrew Farriss, and is expected to be taken off Yirrmal's self-titled debut album, scheduled to be released later in the year.[9]
In March 2023, Yirrmal released "Love Sweet Love" co-written with Shane Howard of Goanna.[10]
| Youngblood |
|
|---|
| Year | Album | |
|---|---|---|
| "Deep Blue Sea"[11] | 2013 | |
| "For Everyone" [12] | 2019 | |
| "Dhaliwuy Bay"[13] | 2022 | |
| "Promised Land" [14] | ||
| "Shining Light"[15] | ||
| "Love Sweet Love" | 2023 | |
| "Keep Rolling On"[16] |
| "Marryuna" | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| "Keep On Rolling" [17] | 2021 | |
| "Ride" [18] | Gela |
| "Blackfella/Whitefella" | 2017 | Deadly Hearts (Volume One) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Treaty" | 2018 | Armistice Day |
The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.! |-| 2018| "Marryuna" (with Baker Boy)| Best Independent Single or EP| | [19] [20] |}
The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
! |-| scope="row"| 2019| "Marryuna" (with Baker Boy)| Urban Work of the Year| | [21] |}
The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) recognise excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Northern Territory music industry.
! |-| rowspan="2"| 2017| Yirrmal| New Talent of the Year| |rowspan="2"| [22] [23] |-| "The Bridge"| Song of the Year| |-| rowspan="2"| 2019|rowspan="2"| "For Everyone"| Film Clip of the Year| |rowspan="2"| [24] |-| Song of the Year| |-| 2021| "Ride" (Baker Boy featuring Yirrmal)| Film Clip of the Year| | [25] |-|rowspan="2"| 2023| "Promised Land" (featuring Dami Im)| Song of the Year| |rowspan="2"| [26] [27] |-| "Indigenous" (Indigenous Outreach Project w/ Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy featuring Yirrmal)| Community Clip of the Year| |}