Visual Identity by Karena Bravo
Overview:
MAV’s inaugural NEWPRINT program championed young artists of colour living in outer urban and regional areas, igniting emerging music scenes in Wyndham, Melton, Shepparton, and Dandenong. The selected producers for the first iteration of this program were: Jacki and Kush Tut, Jonathan Safari, Nomad, Pookie, Ree Peric, Tebir and Titan Debirioun.
Between December 2021 to May 2022, the NEWPRINT revolution included; showcasing fresh talent, building communities, growing local audiences and throwing unforgettable events. The selected producers partnered with local arts and community teams to cultivate processes that centre the next generation of artists and their audiences.
Why NEWPRINT?
The producers named NEWPRINT as a reimagined “blueprint,” created a new guide for and by artists of colour to reshape storytelling and redefine industry practices. By collaborating with local arts and community teams, NEWPRINT challenges mainstream norms and champions diverse voices, fostering a future that centres the next generation of artists and their audiences.
The Producers:
Jacki Tut
Jacki Tut is a South-Sudanese Australian artist from deep in Melbourne’s South-East suburbs. Not seeing herself as belonging to any single genre, Jacki instead moves through RnB, Soul and Hip-Hop to cultivate her sound. Jacki’s often sombre textured songs are guided by her blunt lyrical prowess, drawing inspiration from her experiences of navigating young adulthood.
Jonathan Safari, also known as YUNGKILY is a multi-talented African Australian artist, emcee and producer, born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Also known as "The African Titan," YUNGKILY has been gaining recognition throughout Australia, establishing himself as a rising talent in the country's vibrant music community. Beyond his role as an artist, he holds the distinction of being one of the youngest MCs in Australia, fronting some notable stages for Reload Festival, Caramel Sundays, Serendipity, Selekta Fridays, Playground AU, and more.
Kush Tut
Kuichiang “Kush” Kuiy, also known as Kush Tut, is an independent producer, artist, writer, curator, and avid bird watcher who proudly refers to herself as a “Creative Alchemist.” A second-generation Australian of South Sudanese heritage, she belongs to the Nuer nation of the Upper Nile region and is a proud ci e-wan g woman.
Kush’s artistic practice is deeply personal and experimental, blending various mediums to reflect her third-culture experience, connect with her cultural heritage, and explore her relationship with the natural world.
Damon Paraha A.K.A. Nomad, is a Hip-Hop and Spoken Word artist from Naarm/Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Inspired by artists like Lauryn Hill, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Nomad is a multi-faceted, multi-hyphenated artist but at his core he is a proud community man intent on utilising his art and platform to represent his culture and encourage his peers to chase their dreams and challenge the status quo.
Pookie
Aćol Agaar Apollo, known by her stage name POOKIE, is a South Sudanese rapper, songwriter, composer, and producer born in Nairobi, Kenya. At age seven, her family migrated to Australia, where she discovered Missy Elliot and the vibrant world of Hip-Hop. POOKIE’s music and art are dynamic celebrations of her South Sudanese roots, often reflecting her Dinka culture and heritage.
Using her art as both self-expression and a bridge between her experiences as a Black African woman in Australia, POOKIE explores the complexities of being part of the South Sudanese Australian diaspora. Over the years, she has exhibited her art, curated events empowering Black femme creatives, performed spoken word poetry, and in 2019, formed a five-piece band. With her unique blend of Afro-Jazz and Hip-Hop, POOKIE has made a powerful impact on Melbourne’s music scene and stages across Australia.
Ree Peric is an artist with roots deep within Fiji, Croatia and Uganda. An artist living and working on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta people. Born in Australia, she grew up in Uganda before moving back to Shepparton in late 2014.
Ree works across various mediums including visual art, performance, song-writing, music production and programming. She is passionate about working with her community and forming creative expressions through all types of music and art.
Tèbir
Tèbir is a Melbourne-based singer, songwriter, and dancer who crafts a captivating fusion of African soul and neo-funk, delivering music and performances that are both striking and unforgettable. Influenced by his parents’ Sudanese heritage and the musical culture of his roots, Tèbir’s passion for music blossomed early, shaped by the sounds of iconic soul, funk, and R&B artists such as Anthony Hamilton, Michael Jackson, John Legend, and T-Pain.
With a sultry, smouldering vocal style, Tèbir blends rhythm, rap, and evocative lyrics to create songs that transition seamlessly from soulful to electrifying. His performances combine expressive vocal solos with dynamic instrumental climaxes, offering audiences a vibrant experience steeped in soul-infused neo-funk and R&B.
Titan Debirioun is a South Sudanese social justice advocate and recording artist from Naarm/Melbourne's outer western region. He is dedicated to continuing the exploration of art as a means of protest - he's become a champion for change, adamant on advancing the weight of minority voices by becoming a voice himself.
NEWPRINT was presented by MAV and supported by On The Road Again, a Victorian Government initiative to bring live music back across the state, and Australia Council for the Arts.