Bad Apples Music Celebrates Tenth Anniversary at Amazon’s ‘Blak Loud’ Showcase

Amazon Music Australia and Awesome Black’s “Blak Loud” showcase has recently celebrated Bad Apples Music’s contributions to Blak music and culture, with a night of performances from artists BARKAA, Becca Hatch, and Riley P.

The Blak Loud showcase first launched in March 2023 as a dedicated space for showcasing and celebrating First Nations musical talent. Building on the momentum of the past two years, the recent iteration also honoured Bad Apples’ ten-year anniversary.

Founded by Yorta Yorta rapper, author, and actor Adam Briggs, Bad Apples has gown into one of the most trusted and influential platforms locally. It has carved out space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to thrive, providing a home for artists whose work resonates with truth, strength, and identity.

The label has nurtured and elevated vital voices in Australia, including Kobie Dee, Alice Skye, BIRDZ, Philly, Nooky, and A.B. Original.

Beyond the music on the night, the showcase, which took place at Darwin’s Bustard Town, featured a Q&A panel with showcase headliner BARKAA, who offered insights into her creative journey, the role of music in healing and resistance, and the legacy of Bad Apples.

“It’s such a great energy in the space when we’re able to see artists like BARKAA, Miss Kannina, Becca Hatch and more shine. Artists who are making significant impact throughout music spaces around the country, being able to harness that poignancy and bring it to Darwin? It’s electricity unlike any other,” Sosefina Fuamoli said.

“Seeing hometown talent like Riley P as well, a young artist who has recognised the importance of his platform and uses it to bring his community up with him, it proves that music most definitely is a powerful tool in the way a new generation of storytellers are establishing their own legacies.”

Reflecting on the event, Blak Loud’s Travis said it was “absolutely incredible”.

“We never get to put these kind of things together down south (we do but we’d have to announce them 2 months out and market them), we announce a killer lineup of new community artists and established names the week of the show and every year it is packed out, not only that it is just the best vibe in the room,” he said.

“It’s always stressful pulling it together on the day but then doors open, the playlist comes to life and the artists take us on a whole trip through their work. We’re incredibly lucky to get to do this.”