The only thing that closely matches the beauty of Gurrumul’s voice is his story. Born blind, Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhemland. His fragile but powerfully emotive voice has affected the public in a way no other artist has done in Australia. This unique Aboriginal man sings songs about identity, spirit and connection with the land, its elements and the ancestral beings he is related to. His high tenor voice and aura-like persona creates emotion, compassion and a feeling of peacefulness and longing with audiences all around the world.
In today’s world where the media and the music industries are based around hype, fashion and disposable artists, Gurrumul has emerged as unique celebrity who allows people to experience his unique Yolngu cultural world through an accessible Western music style and effectively changes their lives for the better.
Rising to prominence with the release of his eponymous debut album in 2008, Gurrumul’s angelic voice connected with listeners worldwide, earning him famous fans such as Elton John, will.i.am and Sting. The debut album Gurrumul has sold half a million copies worldwide to date, reaching 3x platinum in Australia. His second solo album Rralaka (released in April 2011) has hit platinum, which earned him a cover story on Rolling Stone Magazine and the title of “Australia’s Most Important Voice”.
Among the various world leaders Gurrumul has had the honour of performing for are Her Royal Highness The Queen of England, U.S. President Barack Obama, Crown Prince Frederik and the Princess Mary of Denmark. In addition, he was one of only two Australian performers at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012, undoubtedly confirming this multiple ARIA award-winning musician’s place as an international star capable of transcending cultural boundaries.
