Rhyan Clapham, aka DOBBY, is a Filipino and Murrawarri HipHop drummer and rapper (Drapper), composer and producer. With roots in the Aboriginal lands from Brewarrina and Weilmoringle in New South Wales, his signature style of “drapping” has taken him to festivals around the country and stages around the globe. Listen to his songs and you’ll hear dynamic beats and powerful lyrics from a compassionate artist grounded in bringing important issues of country and culture into the spotlight through Hip Hop music.
DOBBY’s artistry pushes the boundaries into activism – his song ‘I CAN’T BREATHE’ won Best Video at the FBi SMAC Awards in 2020, becoming an anthem for Australia’s Bla(c)k Lives Matter movement. In recognition of his exceptional music talent, DOBBY received the NIMA Archie Roach Foundation Award in 2022. His debut album WARRANGU; River Story highlights with urgency the dwindling state of the Murray Darling Basin.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, DOBBY discusses finding artistic expression at an early age growing up in Warilla, south of Wollongong; developing an album inspired by time travel; and the process of creating his current album, 7 years in the making.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
I’m a proud Filipino and Murrawarri HipHop artist by the name DOBBY. I call myself a Drapper (That’s a drummer and a rapper). I also produce and compose my own music, and have had the opportunity to compose for many other projects across the screen, theatre stage and event installation festivals.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I learned piano from an early age, and then into drums at the beginning of high school. Thanks to the encouragement and support of my parents, I fostered a healthy passion for music, and started listening to Hip Hop. I would spend my work savings on different albums at Sanity, mimic their lyrics, and eventually desired to learn to write my own.
Where did you grow up and how has it influenced your practice?
I grew up in Warilla, south of Wollongong. The area was a big part of my early artistic expression. I would write about the housing commission, the neighbourhood, the public school that I went to, down the road from my place. I approached rap music like a reporter, detailing the life I lived there, how I got myself into fights and slowly understood Warilla as having a gang affiliated reputation.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
Apart from just releasing my debut album WARRANGU; River Story, one of the most amazing projects I have had the privilege of working on is WINHANGANHA, a short film created by the deadly Jazz Money. A collaboration with the National Sound and Film Archive, the film is a carefully arranged amalgamation of archival footage of Indigenous everything; blak joy, blak sorrow, blak movement, blak love, blak oppression, blak triumph. I had an amazing time working with Jazz on this timeless work.
Tell us about your current work?
WARRANGU; River Story is a body of work that I am so proud to finally release, something I’ve been putting together over the course of the last 7 years. The album tells the story of the 3 rivers that guide the tribal boundaries of Brewarrina, NSW. It is a mix of HipHop, Classical music, and field recordings of my Aboriginal community across Bre, Lightning Ridge, Gongolgon and Weilmoringle NSW.
Who or what inspires your practice?
My ancestors, my family, my community, and the feeling that music can still give me. I can find inspiration in anything and everything. There is so much joy and sadness in the world, so much love to give. And I believe HipHop music and music in general is a key element to providing us with the remedy.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
In nature. By the water or amongst trees.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
I hope people can feel the urgency in my music. WARRANGU is an important call to action regarding the dire condition of the Murray Darling Basin. We will see millions more fish die in our rivers if we don’t hold our government accountable.
What’s the best compliment you’ve received from a show or work?
I’ve received a lot of wonderfully nice messages from this album so far. One recent message was from a fellow Muruwari man, who messaged me to let me know his daughter is a proud Muruwari girl and a big fan who could sing all my lyrics. When I read his message I cried. If we as artists can reach the young ones on a level like that, then the job is done.
What gets you through creative challenges or tough industry times?
A walk or a drive, or a chance to meditate and reflect. I am an avid fan of journaling and it always seems to help me get out of my own head sometimes.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to finishing my next project… It’s a time travel album that I’ve been thinking about for quite a long time now, and I can’t wait to think about how it will sound both in your ears and onstage.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
I’m loving what the young brother Inkabee is doing, a proud 11 yr old Noongar rapper who already performs like a superstar. He and his father are incredible to see live.
Where can we find and follow you online?
You can find me at @DOBBYau on social media and DOBBY on all streaming platforms:
www.instagram.com/dobbyau | www.facebook.com/dobbyau | www.youtube.com/dobbyau
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