During Reconciliation Week, 8CCC is taking the opportunity to showcase an album from March. Rising First Nations artist ICONYX is from the East Kimberley and her debut album, Blak On Trak was released via Skinnyfish Music. The album marks a significant milestone in the young artist’s career, showcasing her powerful voice, her cultural heritage, and her unique perspective as an artist telling stories and navigating the world without sight. ICONYX just performed as part of this year’s Reconciliation WA Breakfast—broadcast nationally on NITV.
The album’s release follows the successful drop of ICONYX’s cover of Archie Roach’s “Mulyawongk” which received acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone and ABC, and marked an emotional tribute to the late Roach. ICONYX’s connection to the late Archie Roach and Gurrumul remains a significant influence, with both families granting her rare permission to perform and reimagine their music, further solidifying her place in the Australian music landscape.
Gurrumul’s family visited Perth to grant the special permission to ICONYX, asking her to keep singing his song “Baru,” the album’s third track. That ceremonial gathering also results in a song, which makes the second track of the record, “Special Gift For You (Baru).”
Blak On Trak is an expansive work that blends hip-hop, RnB, world and contemporary music, drawing from ICONYX’s Kukatja and Pintupi roots, and her experiences growing up in Whadjuk, Noongar Boodja. As a passionate songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and co-producer, ICONYX has poured herself into every aspect of the album, ensuring that each track tells a story.