Budjerah

Budjerah's recent single ‘Video Game’ is taking his music to the next level. Following the meteoric success of “Therapy” earlier this year, and his whirlwind trip for shows in Los Angeles and New York and an appearance at Hermes Menswear Collection at Paris Fashion Week, 2x ARIA award-winning Coodjinburra artist Budjerah has unveiled the raw and personal new single “Video Game”. With a stripped-back production, the track shows an introspective melodic side of Budjerah.

2023 has already been a mammoth year for Budjerah. On top of supporting Ed Sheeran on his record breaking Australian stadium tour, he has also been on the For The Love festival run alongside Charli XCX and Cosmo’s Midnight, and recently performed with Kylie Minogue at the Qantas gala, and Tina Arena at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards, as well as a sold out headline show at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE. His single “Therapy” has clocked over 6 million combined streams and has become his most added song at radio to-date, and one of the most streamed 2023 releases in Australia from an Australian signed artist. Last month he also released a new version of the track with rising star YDE.

His newest single Video has been teased in live set over the past year and has already become a fan favourite because of the intimate song writing.

"I’ve been waiting a very long time for this song to be ready, and finally after performing it for a year on stage, I think you guys are ready to hear one of my most personal songs yet.” Budjerah says.

“This is a thank you to all my fans who’ve supported me at my shows over the last year. Hope you guys are ready for Video Game!"

Budjerah says that this fresh sense of confidence comes from performing live and craving “punchy music,” as he puts it. Armed with a brand-new band featuring family he’s grown up jamming with, he completed his first headline tour last year and has impressed at a wide array of festivals including Splendour In The Grass, This That, and recently at For The Love. He also supported Vance Joy on his Australian, North American, and UK tours, introducing him to a whole new audience.

Earlier this year he supported Ed Sheeran on his mammoth record-breaking Australian stadium tour alongside Maisie Peters. It’s the second chapter in a story with Sheeran that started last year with his appearance on the British megastar’s track ‘2Step’ which has seen close to 10 million streams.

Using these shows to introduce a new band and continually build his live show, Budjerah wants to leave people blown away by his abilities.

“I consider myself a gospel singer first and foremost,” he says.

“I want people to think ‘wow, what a great singer’. I want people to really know how hard I’ve been working at this.”

Recently performing a sold-out show at the Sydney Opera House for VIVD LIVE, his live show accolades are coming in strong. Teaming up for some superstar live performances this year, he has already performed with Kylie Minogue at the Qantas gala, and Tina Arena at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards.

Budjerah presents with a sense of ambition not found often in young homegrown artists. It’s a juxtaposition to his cool and collected demeanour but it’s a refreshing balance. Inspired by the likes of Usher and Beyoncé, he wants to get to a place where he can put on arena shows with all the trimmings, from huge vocal displays to tight choreography.

“I try to bridge between being myself on stage but also getting into this character,” he says, explaining how he overcomes his timidity.

Since his debut single ‘Missing You’ just over two years ago, he’s transformed as an artist. Throughout, he’s been guided by Matt Corby who took him under his wing after being blown away by his abilities. Matt Corby has produced the majority of tracks by Budjerah and watched him go from a shy teenager to a celebrated artist in his own right.

He now has two EPs to his name, 2021’s debut self-titled release, and 2022’s ‘Conversations’. He’s collaborated with everyone from PNAU on ‘Stranger Love’ to MAY-A on ‘Talk’, finding success with the latter on the luscious, soulful track which proved to be a triumph for both artists. Over the course of his short but plentiful career, he’s grown with each release. He’s always presented as a voice far beyond his years but in 2022 he found a sense of self-assurance that spilled over into his lyrics.

On the timeless, soul-tinged ‘Ready For The Sky’, he sings, “You won’t ever clip these wings, not gonna walk over me,” signalling his quiet ambition that continues to come to fruition.

The accomplishments have been fast and plentiful in the last two years. He’s now a two-time ARIA Award-winning artist after taking home Breakthrough artist in 2021 and Best Soul/R&B Release in 2022. He also triumphed with an APRA Award for Most Performed R&B / Soul Work for the Corby co-written ‘Higher’. He was recently nominated for “Best Single” and “Best New Artist” at the 2023 Rolling Stone Australia Awards, and “Aussie / Kiwi Legend Of The Year” at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards.

Last year, he was also named GQ’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year while also featuring in Vogue Australia as part of Baz Luhrmann’s guest edition. He also took to the stage as part of the AFL Grand Final with The Temper Trap, Gretta Ray, and Ngaiire. At the tail-end of last year, he was featured in Amazon Music’s global ‘Holiday Originals’ campaign covering Whitney Houston’s ‘Who Would Imagine A King’. He also performed as a part of an Archie Roach tribute at the 2022 ARIA Awards with Jessica Mauboy and Thelma Plum

2023 is set to be a landmark year for Budjerah, as he's ready to seize every opportunity and showcase his full range of abilities. ‘Video Game’ and the new music to come will exceed expectations and cement his status as one of the most versatile performers in the country. If you're already a fan, get ready to be blown away.