“2023 was a bit of a hard year for me. At the end of the year, I’d made some really good decisions; I’d cut off all the shit that was holding me back. I feel like this year, I’m coming in and I’m myself again; I love what I’m doing and I fell back in love with my career again.”

— BARKAA

WE UP

Proud Malyangapa and Barkindji woman, BARKAA celebrates stepping into her raw strength and power in her latest anthem, WE UP.

Shedding the weight of the past, BARKAA rallies the Tiddas, weaving through the streets of Dharug Country before hitting the club to spitfire with unapologetic confidence, emerging more powerful and determined than ever before.

Credits

PRODUCTION

Storytellers: BARKAA (Malyangapa and Barkindji) and Cleonie Quayle (Maljangapa)

Director & Executive Producer: Kieran Satour (Gurindji/Malngin, Pertame Arrernte and Worimi)

Executive Producer: Ramona Telecican

Producer: Jamie Lee Bolger (Noonuccal)

Director of Photography: Andrew Amanaki, Amanaki Studios

Camera Operator: Josh Amanaki, Amanaki Studios

Gaffer: Rewiti Brown, South Pacific Lighting

Best Person: Del-ray Fruean

Steadicam Operator: Aaron Bull

1st AC: Danielle Payne

2nd AC: Kristen Elias

Production Assistant: Georgia Stone (Palawa)

Choreographer: Hannah Hansen (Yuin)

Make up: Celeste Gubb

Hair: Djahmu Claxton-Amini

Styling Assistant: Tyler Hippi (Gamilaraay, Kamilaroi Boggabila Toomelah)

Assistant: Jodi Matthews (Yorta & Bundjalung)

Assistant: Paz Cuenca Irigoyen

Assistant: Chloe Muscat

Photographer: Jazel Jozic

Editor: Amanaki Studios

VFX & Motion Graphics: Tom Stone & Oliver Eather, Entropico

Colourist: Al Kalyk

TALENT

The Tiddas: Calley Clarke (Yawurunyulniul, Ngunnawal, Yuwullaray), Jade Davis (Malyangapa / Bundjalung), Jennetta Quinn-Bates (Barkindji (Malyangapa), Kelly Hellmrich (Mineng Noongar)

Dancers: Hannah Hansen (Yuin), Aroha Pehi (Taribelang Bunda, Kuku-Yalanji, Ngāpuhi and Ngati Porou), Harlisha Newie-Joe (Goemu and Wagadagam tribe, Mabuiag and Badu Island, Torres Strait Islands), Maddison Fraser (Palyku and Yindjibarndi Pilbara, Western Australia), Tahlia Watton (Kamilaroi), Kawana Smallwood (Wiradjuri, Ngunnawal, Biri, Ngadjon, Gangalidda)

BARKAA’s TEAM

Artist & Community Liaison: Kelly Hellmrich (Mineng Noongar), Bad Apples

PR: Matt Jordan, MFPR

CLOTHING

BARKAA wears: Past.Present.Future Two-piece Set from Clothing The Gaps and Jacaranda Seed Pod Mini Dress custom made by Cleonie Qualye

Cleonie Qualye wears: Gigi Tulle Robe from Mama Rentals

The Tiddas wear: Zhivago

Dancers wear: Always Was Shorts from Clothing The Gaps

Custom BARKAA tees artwork: logo by Nadine Chemali and shirt design by Claire Kruger


Filmed on the lands of the Dharug Nation. Always was, always will be.

Special thanks to Poison City Records, Mother and Father PR, 27 Project, Kallico Catering, The Street University, Music on Stage, Entropico and the GARUWA team.