Video Transcription

Aboriginal rapper Sonboy shares how role models changed his life

It’s so, so important to have role models. They told me when I was in the wrong and when I was in the right, and they changed my life. You know, they changed my life.

My name is Sonboy, and I’m a rapper, and my tribe is Wiradjuri and Dunghutti. I drifted away from music at the age of 14. I stopped performing and went down the wrong path. Ever since I got locked up, I was in and out until I was 17. Since I turned 17, I promised myself I wasn’t going to go back to that place.

I ended up coming back to the community center in Redfern. I met a lady called Dawn—she runs the courses and stuff there at the community center—and I spoke to her. I said, “I need to get back into music” or “I want to.” That was probably the best step I did. She said to me, “We’re gonna push.” Even when I wanted to quit, she was like, “No, you’re doing this for you and for your family.”

She introduced me to a bloke called Espa. He said, “I’ll take you under my wing.” And just keep recording and recording. That’s sort of what broke the cycle. That’s what made me stick to doing my music. They stuck beside me, they told me when I was in the wrong and when I was in the right, and they changed my life. They changed my life.

It’s so, so important to have role models. If you don’t have a role model, go to your classes, youth centres. You can speak to your family. If you’re not close with your family, speak to your friends’ families. Even your friends can be your role model.

Video by Reach Out