Hip Hop 'Island Home' a hit in the Straits /Newsport (copy 1)
Hip Hop 'Island Home' a hit in the Strait
Tuesday March 25 2014
Thursday Island rapper Mau Power has reinterpreted an Australian classic as a hip hop ode to the Torres Strait.
'My Island Home' was originally written by Neil Murray of the Warumpi Band in reference to Elcho Island and released in 1986.
The song was later reworked by Christine Anu to reflect her Torres Strait heritage in 1995 and became a huge hit.
Set to launch his new album, 'The Show Will Go On' later this year, Power said the song 'Island Home' which features rapped verses and a vocal sample of the Anu version for the chorus, reflects his culture in a contemporary way.
"We were telling the story of my journey and my producer Mike Justice played me the instrumental version of her song and it fit perfectly with what I was trying to say," he said.
"It was a significant song to recreate because it reflected strongly my identity and I wanted to have a tribute to the Torres Strait [on the album].
"Everything that I am comes from this place.
"I cannot speak about myself without talking about where I come from."
'Island Home' is the first single to come off Power's album.
The song's stunning music video was produced by James Rush, shot at several different locations throughout the Torres Strait.
Power, born Patrick Mau, said he was put in touch with Rush through fellow Torres Strait Islander and basketball star Patty Mills.
The clip features beautiful footage of the region and a short sequence showing community members staring into the lens holding the Torres Strait flag.
Power said the the flag, designed by the late Bernard Namok in 1992, was an important symbol.
"Once we got that flag it created a new identity for us as another group of Indigenous Australians," he said.
Power said on 'The Show Will Go On' he blended elements of hip hop with the music he grew up on at home in the Torres Strait.
"The sound captures what represents me culturally and traditionally," he said.
"There's bit of funk, soul and hip hop too. It's going to be good."
