Photo by Robin Hearfield

Maroubra rapper Kobie Dee reps the Lexo area as proudly as he wears the Aboriginal flag tattooed on his forearm.

Gamilaroi man Kobie Dee is one of the many fast Indigenous artists commanding your attention right now. His origin story is one that’s synoymous with hip hop itself – growing up in an area where violence, drug and alcohol abuse were constants, dealing was considered normal and overcoming the poverty cycle was an ever-present preoccupation.

All cliches aside though, you can’t deny Kobie Dee his underdog status. Writing lyrics from the age of nine years old, he often catches himself reflecting on the parallels between his story and those of hip hop icons (and his inspirations) Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. But it was boxing that took Kobie out of the struggle and led him to triumph. He’s held the NSW featherweight champion title and gives back to his community as a high school mentor, through NSW’s Just Reinvest initiative.

KD’s biggest win to date though? Being heard through music. It’s no secret that Indigenous voices often go unheard, so the avid wordsmith considers it a blessing to be given the opportunity on his break out single, Right Now. On top of a trap beat is Kobie Dee quite frankly telling it how it is:

“Shit’s getting hard for a young black man, Centrelink don’t quite fit the demands”.

The young boy from the ‘S-y-d’ asks for patience though, and promises more to come soon. Check out ‘Right Now’ by Kobie Dee below.

WHAT: NAIDOC Week Block Party feat. Kobie Dee, Nooky, Rebecca Hatch, Mi-Kaisha, Dobby, Lilla Lowanna, Muggera Dancers plus more
WHERE: Landsdowne Hotel, Chippendale
WHEN: 5pm Sunday July 15
HOW MUCH: $10 – Tickets available here.

Tune into Up For It every monday to meet your new independent artist of the week!