Tjaka Elevate Audiences With Their Debut EP

Photo by Declan Doyle

Tjaka have been making waves in the local music scene with their fusion of hip hop, electronic and funk, and have gifted us with a collection of their beloved sound with their debut EP. Elevate is a brief taste of Tjaka’s musical journey to date, packed with strong reflections on the band’s growth, transformation, and deep connection to Country. Leaning on influences from Jabirr Jabirr tribe roots, Elevate is the burst of energy and power to motivate audiences to “keep pushing on their own journey”.

Tjaka share that Elevate stands as a “showcase of the way we can adapt our live energy into different styles of music”, with these five tracks taking audiences through “unforgettable moments of unity and celebration”. Elevate opens with an instrumental intro track, establishing the fusion of traditional Aboriginal instrumentation with modern hip-hop through an immersive, tone-setting minute of music that leads into ‘Marching Band’. Speaking to their experience of the challenges in pursuing music, Tjaka utilise chopped vocal samples, drum samples that emulating a traditional marching band, and their signature Didgeribone sound, whilst likening their career experience to “navigating through a jungle”. The true standout track from this EP is ‘In A Box’, a song which fights back against the societal yearn to overly categorise and label everyone and everything. Tjaka take inspiration from music genre-benders including Limp Bizket and Beastie Boys with their infectiously catchy rap flow. ‘Aeronautics’ leans strongly into a trap style of production, whereas the title track of ‘Elevate’ contains strong motifs of personal growth and takes inspirations from Kendrick Lamar.

Tjaka’s debut EP Elevate is truly a testament to their elevation of the local music scene. Bringing their Indigenous culture to the foreground of our hip-hop music scene, Tjaka are truly one of the most exciting acts in the country. Elevate is ideal for fans of Aussie musical legends including Hilltop Hoods and Bliss n Eso, whilst also appealing to a broader audience through the lyrical themes of growth and empowerment and energetically captivating sonic value.

Tjaka have been on the road touring Elevate over the past month, with remaining shows in Woolyungah (Woollongong), Gadigal (Sydney), and Naarm (Melbourne). If you’re in the area, grab a ticket and have a boogie!