Briggs’ collaboration with Troy Cassar-Daley, the single “Shadows,” seems unlikely at first. The worlds of hip hop and country rarely mix. But these are two of the country’s proudest Indigenous artists, so when you think about it, it makes complete sense.
The track is a fabulous reworking of Troy’s original song “Shadows on the Hill.” Briggs’ rap and fresh production from Jaytee Hazard breathe new life into the song, ensuring this story of an important part of our country’s history reaches new ears.
“’Shadows On The Hill’ started its song line around a fire on Gumbaynggirr country at our men’s camp,” Troy explained. “There was one powerful moment for all of us when a massacre was mentioned that happened up the river from where we camped with our families for many generations, the wind died down, the air around us was still and not one bird sang. My old uncle stood up and said, ‘Don’t be scared the old people know we are here; they are just letting us know’. The trees on the mountains across the river from us stood long and lonely. I believe the old people gave me this song to acknowledge the pain and to share one of the many brutal stories of this land and more importantly to share the truth. Because song lines never end and make their way through thousands of generations, I shared the song with Briggs so the next generation can hear the story of the ‘Shadows On The Hill’”
Briggs said “’Shadows’ was brought to me by Troy; I was honoured he’d share this part of his story with me. There was so much depth and this haunting truth that is woven through his words. As a kid I’d often remember rumours about what parts of Melbourne were old ‘graveyards,’ Which I guess is a way to explain a massacre site or to reconcile it for young ears. Where the bodies dropped they built a fuckin’ parking lot.”
When you listen to this track, make sure you really listen. Hear the words, hear the story, and properly take it all in. It’s important.
Image used with permission from Island Records Australia