From the Bronx to BBQs to Barkaa—the evolution of Australian hip hop

The Music Show

In the years since it originated in New York City in the late 1970s, hip hop has become a global music phenomenon. Reaching Australian shores in the early 1980s, tensions quickly arose between those looking to emulate their American rap heroes, and those using their own Australian accents. Dr Niall Edwards-FitzSimons takes us on a potted history of Australian hip hop and the 'accent debate' that came to a head in the 2000s. With voices from The Music Show archives like Urthboy, Bliss, L-FRESH The LION, Omar Musa, Barkaa, Mau Power, Wire MC, Elsy Wameyo and MC Trey, we learn about the evolution of Australian hip hop and what it tells us about class, racism and the music industry.