Black Magic (Baker Boy song)

"Black Magic"
Single by Baker Boy featuring Dallas Woods
Released13 July 2018[1]
Length3:24
LabelDanzal Baker, Dallas Woods
Songwriter(s)Jerome Farah, Dallas Woods, Danzal Baker, Dion Brownfield
Producer(s)Jerome Farah
Baker Boy singles chronology
"Mr La Di Da Di"
(2018) 		"Black Magic"
(2018) 		"Cool as Hell"
(2019)
Music video
"Black Magic" on YouTube

"Black Magic" is a song by Australian musician Baker Boy, which features vocals from fellow Indigenous Australian Dallas Woods. It was released in July 2018.

The song is inspired by sports heroes who have stood up against racism in the past, including athlete Cathy Freeman and AFL legend Nicky Winmar who stood up against the crowd's racial abuse in a match between St Kilda and Collingwood in 1993. The song also references the Stolen Generation and Kevin Rudd's apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples in 2008.[2][3]

At the 2018 National Indigenous Music Awards, the song was nominated for Song of the Year.[4]

Background

Raised in the remote Northern Territory communities of Yurrwi and Maningrida, 21 year-old Danzel Baker, aka Baker Boy, has released "Black Magic", featuring Dallas Woods. The song is performed in Yolngu Matha and English, representing his bloodlines. Danzel Baker and Dallas Woods met when Baker Boy was 17 and Dallas was 21 and the two started writing songs together, including Baker Boy's previous single "Mr. La Di Da Di".[5]

Music video

The music video was filmed on the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne, Victoria and directed by BraydenFunFilms. It was released on 12 July 2018.[6]

Reception

Beat Magazine said "The politically-charged number packs a punch, though it is swathed in positivity and offers a feel-good message of empowerment overall, with chorus lines like 'young, black and gifted, talking the whole package' leading the track."[2]

Al Newstead from Triple J said "The single has a much tougher sound than we've come to expect from the Fresh Prince of positivity. Dropping bars in both English and Yolngu Mata language, his vibrant, uplifting flow shines through but this time it's paired with a political punch."[3]

Tristan Winter from Joy 94.9 said "'Black Magic' is proving to be a crowd favourite taking things to next level with a fierce chorus and brutal guitars... This completely electric tune demands your attention!"[7]

The Music Network said "Packing his biggest punch so far without easing up on the joy and positivity that are his trademarks, Baker Boy riffs on 'the power of black magic' as well as being 'young, gifted and black', casting a direct line back to Nina Simone's classic anthem for the 1960s Civil Rights movement."[8]

References

  1. ^ "Black Magic – Single by Baker Boy featuring Dallas Woods on Apple Music". Apple Music. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Baker Boy drops new single, "Black Magic"". Beat. July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b "First Spin: Baker Boy & Dallas Woods conjure "Black Magic" in new single/video". ABC. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  4. ^ "National Indigenous Music Awards unveils 2019 Nominations". National Indigenous Music Awards. July 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Warning! Young, Black & Gifted: Baker Boy Releases "Black Magic" feat. Dallas Woods". All Aussie Hip Hop. July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Baker Boy - Black Magic ft Dallas Woods". YouTube. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Single Review Baker Boy Black Magic". Joy 94.9. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Baker Boy shoots to the top of the Amrap Metro Chart". The Music Network. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2020.