Geelong rapper nominated for prestigious music awards

Geelong’s rising hip-hop star Fiston Baraka has been named among Victoria’s hottest music acts as a nominee in this year’s prestigious Music Victoria Awards.

A former GRID Series music development program participation, Baraka – who releases music under the moniker Baraka The Kid – has quickly carved out a space for himself in Victoria’s talent-filled music scene.

He is now vying for top honours in two categories – Best Hip Hop Work and Best Regional Act – which he said was both unexpected and humbling.

Known for his energetic blend of afrobeats and afropop, the Congolese-born rapper draws inspiration from his roots, his family and his mission to have a positive impact on those around him.

“My biggest message in my music is just do what you love, to follow your heart, to inspire and to just be a part of your community constantly in any way possible that you can and to not settle for what everyone calls ‘the normal’.

“I think a lot of times, especially for refugees, we come from a background where the moment you get here, your parents are like ‘Go to uni, study hard, get this job, become a doctor or lawyer’ or whatever it is.

“They actually end up dimming down what our actual gifts are because we don’t actually get a chance to let them actually come to life.

“That’s definitely what the message in my music is… just be you and lean on your purpose and keep your integrity and your values intact, rather than compromising those for money or for something else.”

Baraka now working on a new album which he is planning to drop in June.

First launched in 2005, the annual Music Victoria awards celebrate the musicians, venues, festivals and professionals who have played a vital role in shaping Victoria’s vibrant music scene.

This year, there are awards to be won across 28 categories, with platinum-charting multi-instrumentalist G Flip, international pop sensation Tones and I, and Grammy-nominated jazz/funk band Hiatus Kaiyote also among the nominees.

Several other local music scene trailblazers have also been nominated alongside Baraka The Kid, including soul singer and fellow GRID Series program participant Wild Gloriosa who is up for the Diaspora Award and the Queenscliff Music Festival which has been nominated for Best Regional Festival.

In recognition of their innovative ways of creating live music opportunities for locals and visitors, both Queenscliff’s The Blues Train and Anglesea’s The Sound Doctor are up for Best Regional Venue or Presenter of the year for venues that have hosted fewer than 50 gigs.

Meanwhile, the Barwon Club Hotel and the Torquay Hotel have both been nominated in the Best Regional Venue or Presenter category for venues that have hosted more than 50 gigs.

Music Victoria’s chief executive officer Simone Schinkel said the awards were one of her favourite parts of the job.

“2024 has been our biggest year of nominations and it’s been a tough choice for the judging panels. Now it’s the public’s turn to cast their votes.”

This year’s category winners will be announced on October 24, with public voting open until 12 noon on October 1.

To view the full list of nominees or to cast your vote, head to musicvictoriaawards.com.au