Kobie Duncan (known professionally as Kobie Dee) is an Australian singer, songwriter and rapper.[1] Kobie Dee released his debut EP in 2021. At the 2022 J Awards he won the Done Good Award for enriching First Nations communities.[4]
Kobie Dee | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kobie Duncan[1] |
| Born | Maroubra, New South Wales[2] |
| Genres | Australian hip hop[3] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018-present |
| Labels | Bad Apples Music (2019-present) |
| Website | kobiedee |
He is a Gomeroi man from Maroubra, New South Wales.[2][3]
Early life
editKobie Duncan grew up on Bidjigal country, modern day Maroubra, New South Wales.[2][5] He grew up without a father in his life.[1]
At age 10, Duncan wrote his first song after listening to "Eazy-Duz-It" by Eazy-E.[6] At age 10, Kobie attended Weave's Kool Kids Program and met Mardi Diles, who would later become his manager.[2] Kobie "looked up to" Briggs, who he met at a local performance in 2018 and whose label he would sign to in 2019.[1]
Career
edit2018–present: Career beginnings and Gratitude Over Pity
editKobie Dee released his debut single "Right Now" in May 2018.[7]
In 2019 Kobie met Nooky, an artist signed to Bad Apples Music label, who heard and forwarded his song "About a Girl" to Briggs, who signed him to Bad Apples the same year.[2][1]
In November 2021, Kobie Dee released his debut EP, Gratitude Over Pity. It was produced by Papertoy, Jaytee Hazard and Magic Nic.[1] As per the press release, the resulting EP is a "pen-to-paper journey, thematically encapsulating how real-time events and inspired moments have helped uncover a perspective of gratitude and appreciation towards the present through a lens of dedicated optimism."[8]
About the EP, GQ said "Kobie Dee implement his trademark technical flow over five tracks which range from bouncing, catchy songs to introspective, raw stories."[6]
In January 2023, Kobie Dee completed a six-week residency hosting Triple J's Hip Hop Show.[9]
In July 2024, Kobie released his second EP ’Chapter 26, an EP he describes as "a journey through my life, from being a young Blak man in Australia, to becoming a father and navigating fatherhood from a place of having an absent father myself".[10]
Personal life
editIn April 2019, Kobie became a father to a daughter named Kali.[5]
Kobie is a youth ambassador for Weave Youth and Community Services and Just Reinvest NSW.[6]
In 2021, Kobie launched the podcast Know Role Models where he converses with First Nations People.[6]
Discography
editExtended plays
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Gratitude Over Pity |
|
| Chapter 26 |
|
Certified singles
edit| Title | Year | Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Jody" | 2019 | non album single |
Awards and nominations
editAIR Awards
editThe Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Gratitude Over Pity | Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP | Nominated | [12] |
ARIA Music Awards
editThe ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chapter 26 | Best Hip Hop/Rap Release | Nominated | [13] |
| Kobie Dee - NRL & AFL: Warriors & Storyteller (Fox Sports Australia) | Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement | Nominated |
J Awards
editThe J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Kobie Dee | Done Good Award | Won | [14] |
National Indigenous Music Awards
editThe National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Kobie Dee | New Talent of the Year | Nominated | [15] |
| 2023 | Kobie Dee | Artist of the Year | Nominated | [16] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Kobie Dee: Gomeroi rap storyteller focusing on 'Gratitude Over Pity'". NME. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "About". Kobie Dee. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Kobie Dee JJJ Unearthed". Triple J Unearthed. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "2022 Done Good Award". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ a b Alice Austin (May 2020). "Meet Kobie Dee, the Kamilaroi rap star making music for marginalised voices". DMY. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d Charlie Calver (5 November 2021). "Meet Kobie Dee, the Sydney rapper with stories to tell". GQ. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "The First official single from Kobie Dee produced by Papertoy". YouTube. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Kobie Dee's 'About A Girl' is confronting yet powerful storytelling". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "Kobie Dee kicks off new era for triple j's Hip Hop Show". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Kobie Dee Drops New EP, Announces National Tour". Rolling Stone Australia. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "Gang Of Youths lead our 2022 J Award winners!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ "National Indigenous Music Awards Unveils 2019 Nominations". nima. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ Mary Varvaris (12 July 2023). "Budjerah & Wildfire Manwurrk Lead NIMA Finalist Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 12 July 2023.