Gurrumul

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Gurrumul for short, was an Aboriginal musician of the Yolŋu people in Australia. He was born on 22 January 1971 and died on 25 July 2017. After his death he was also called Dr G. Yunupingu. He was born blind in Galiwin'ku on Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, well over five hundred kilometres east of Darwin. He was the eldest of four sons. He played several instruments: drums, keyboards, guitar, a right-handed strung guitar that he played with his left hand, and didgeridoo.

Music and breakthrough

His solo debut Gurrumul appeared in 2008, with the song Wiyathul. Rrakala followed in 2011, The Gospel Album in 2015 and, posthumously, Djarimirri: Child of the Rainbow in 2018. In 2021 the compilation The Gurrumul Story appeared.

Influence

Gurrumul sang mainly in languages of his people. His voice was soft and clear, and was accompanied by acoustic guitar and few other instruments, so that his songs sound almost like prayers. He brought the singing and the stories of the Yolŋu to a large audience in Australia and beyond, and is one of the best-known Aboriginal artists. His work shows how a deeply personal voice can turn an age-old tradition into pop music.

Listening

• 
  Wiyathul · Gurrumul, 2008

Discography

Studio albums

• 2008Gurrumul
• 2011Rrakala
• 2015The Gospel Album
• 2018Djarimirri: Child of the Rainbow
• 2021The Gurrumul Story
• 2021The Gurrumul Story

See also

• Gurrumul
• Aboriginal music and the didgeridoo