Briggs (rapper) facts for kids

Adam Briggs (born 28 August 1986), known as Briggs, is an Aboriginal Australian rapper, actor, and author. He also owns a record label and writes comedy. Briggs first became famous as a solo rapper. He signed with Golden Era Records in 2009. Later, in 2016, he helped start the hip hop duo A.B. Original.

As a solo artist, Briggs has released one EP called Homemade Bombs (2009). He also released two albums: The Blacklist (2010) and Sheplife (2014). He has worked with many other artists like Hilltop Hoods and Drapht. Briggs has also supported big international artists on their tours. In 2015, Briggs started his own record label, Bad Apples Music. This label helps new Indigenous hip-hop artists. It is also home to A.B. Original, his project with Trials from the Funkoars.

Briggs has also worked in television. He was a writer and actor for the comedy show Black Comedy in 2016. In the same year, he played Maliyan in the drama series Cleverman. Since 2017, he has been a regular on the news satire show The Weekly with Charlie Pickering.

Growing Up: Briggs' Early Life

Briggs was born on 28 August 1986. He grew up with his family in Shepparton, a country city in Victoria, Australia.

He is an Aboriginal Australian from the Yorta Yorta people. He has the tribe's name tattooed on his forearms. This tattoo reminds him to represent his people every time he performs. His father was from Cummeragunja.

Briggs went to Shepparton High School and Wanganui Park Secondary College. For a short time, he played guitar in a punk band before getting into hip hop. He also worked as a security guard at a local bar. Briggs has said that it was easy to become known in Shepparton. This helped him understand the bigger music world he wanted to join.

Briggs' Music Journey

Starting Out: Independent Artist and Homemade Bombs EP (2005–2009)

Briggs performing in Melbourne in 2009

Briggs was first drawn to American rap music. He formed a group called Misdemeanour with his school friend Peter Shiels. They later changed their group name to "912". They performed a show in Melbourne with Australian hip hop artist Reason. Briggs remembered that Reason was one of the first rappers he heard with an Australian accent.

Reason saw Briggs perform when he was 19. He then asked Briggs to join a record label tour as his "hype man". A hype man helps get the crowd excited during a performance. Briggs then moved to St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne. This helped him connect with other hip hop artists. It was a tough time for him financially. But Reason said this period helped Briggs grow as an artist. Briggs later said that making sacrifices was key to his career.

Briggs released his first EP, Homemade Bombs, in 2009. He got a loan from Hilltop Hoods' MC Suffa to make it. The EP included the song "Bad Move" and a song with Reason called "My Priority".

Joining Golden Era Records: The Blacklist (2009–2013)

Briggs in October 2012

The famous group Hilltop Hoods signed Briggs to their Golden Era record label. They also invited him to open for them on their 2009 European tour. This trip was Briggs' first time traveling overseas.

Briggs' first full album, The Blacklist, came out in 2010 on Golden Era. It featured the song "The Wrong Brother". This song was inspired by a time Briggs was stopped from entering a pub. The security guard said, "Sorry mate, we got the wrong brother." Suffa from Hilltop Hoods even appeared in the music video. The album also had songs like "So Dangerous" with Trials from Funkoars. Briggs was surprised by how well the album did. It reached #3 on the Australian iTunes hip-hop charts for four days.

In June 2012, Briggs was featured on the ABC Television show Message Stick. This show focuses on Indigenous affairs. The episode included interviews with Reason, Suffa, and Trials.

Briggs released his single "Rather Be Dead" in July 2012. He also put out a music video for it on his YouTube channel. The song was played on the popular Australian youth radio station Triple J.

Sheplife: An Album About Home (2014)

Briggs started recording his second album, Sheplife, in 2012. He created the term "ShepLife" to describe life in his hometown of Shepparton. He used the hashtag "#sheplife" on Twitter and even made beanies with the name.

A video for the album's title song was released in August 2014. It was filmed in Shepparton and showed Briggs rapping in a car.

Briggs' second album Sheplife was released in August 2014. The first single, "The Hunt", came out in July 2014. It featured a collaboration with the amazing Indigenous Australian artist Gurrumul. They performed the song live for NAIDOC Week.

"Bad Apples" was the second single from Sheplife. Its music video was filmed near Shepparton. Briggs also released a music video for "Mike Tyson Love Thing" with Sydney artist Joyride.

In November 2014, Briggs was a guest for "IndigenousX" on the Guardian website. This series lets Indigenous people share their stories. Briggs described himself as "An introvert with an extrovert's career." He used the platform to comment on a documentary about Indigenous Australians.

New Beginnings: Bad Apples Music and A.B. Original (2015–Present)

Briggs in January 2019

In 2015, Briggs started his own record label called Bad Apples Music. This label has signed several talented Indigenous hip-hop artists.

In 2016, Briggs also formed a group called A.B. Original with Trials from the Funkoars. This group is also part of the Bad Apples label. A.B. Original toured with Hilltop Hoods in 2016. In November 2016, A.B. Original released their first album, Reclaim Australia. The album was named after a group that holds public rallies. The album was described as "angry, strong, and honest." It featured many different Indigenous music artists. The duo also performed the song "Dumb Things" with Paul Kelly. This version of the song talked about important issues like Invasion Day and the abuse of children.

In 2018, Briggs worked with Dan Sultan on Killer Under a Blood Moon. This album was nominated for two ARIA Music Awards and was very popular.

Briggs also appeared in the ABC show Cleverman as Maliyan. The A.B. Original song "Take Me Home" was written for the show and is its opening theme.

In 2020, Briggs released an EP called Always Was. The title refers to the saying "Always was, always will be". This slogan reminds people that Aboriginal people have always been here.

In 2023, Briggs helped create a new festival called Now & Forever. This festival supported the "yes" vote in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum. Many famous artists performed, including A.B. Original and Paul Kelly.

Briggs on Tour

Briggs has supported many famous artists on their tours. In late 2010, he opened for American hip hop artist Ice Cube. Briggs said Ice Cube was his favorite rapper since he was a kid. He also supported Perth rapper Drapht.

In early 2012, Briggs supported American rapper Yelawolf. Later in 2012, Briggs toured with Horrorshow. They both opened for the Hilltop Hoods. Briggs also supported Jeru The Damaja in Melbourne.

In October and November 2014, Briggs went on an Australian tour for his Sheplife album. He also opened for American artist Sage Francis in Melbourne and Sydney. Briggs has supported other international artists like KRS-One, Ghostface Killah, and Pharoahe Monch.

Briggs' Style and Influences

Briggs calls himself a "rapper" and likes that term. He listens to artists like Kanye West. He has also mentioned older influences like The Dixie Chicks and Janet Jackson. He enjoys contemporary American artists such as Justin Timberlake. Briggs has also been influenced by Australian artists like The Living End and Grinspoon.

Briggs has described his music style as "loud, aggressive, hostile and endearing." He also calls his second album "thoughtful." He explained that he is more focused now and knows the kind of sound he wants to create. Briggs also said that his Yorta-Yorta heritage means he comes from "a long line of story tellers."

Briggs looks up to his family, especially his father and uncles. He says they were very important in his upbringing. His family ties make him feel secure.

Briggs on Television

Briggs has appeared in several TV shows on ABC. In 2016, he was a writer and actor for the comedy show Black Comedy. In the same year, he played Maliyan in the drama series Cleverman. Since 2017, he has been a regular cast member on the news satire show The Weekly with Charlie Pickering.

He also writes for the Netflix animated comedy Disenchantment.

In 2024, Briggs played Alex Bermuda in the Netflix drama Boy Swallows Universe.

Briggs' Community Work

Briggs hosted a concert organized by "Word and Mouth" in Shepparton. This event featured young local artists from Indigenous and refugee backgrounds.

Briggs played for the Eastside Kings team in the 2012 Robert Hunter Cup. This was an Australian rules football match. It honored the memory of Australian hip hop artist Hunter, who passed away from cancer. The event raised money for the Australian cancer charity CanTeen.

Briggs' Children's Book

In May 2020, Briggs released a children's book called 'Our Home, Our Heartbeat'. In June 2020, it became the best-selling children's book in Australia. It won the 2021 Australian Book Industry Award for Children's Picture Book of the Year.

Briggs' Personal Life

After living in Melbourne, Briggs moved back to his hometown of Shepparton in 2010. He said he liked being back home with his family and friends. In 2014, Briggs moved back to Melbourne.

In May 2012, Briggs welcomed his daughter, Kora. He said that he wants to create "a better Australia and a better world for my daughter."

Briggs has mentioned that balancing his work and family life can be challenging. He feels that being a parent makes him both stronger and more open.

Awards and Nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) celebrate the success of Australia's independent music artists.

APRA Music Awards

The APRA Awards honor Australian composers and songwriters.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards celebrate excellence in Australian music.

The Deadly Awards

The Deadly Awards celebrated Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements in music, sport, and entertainment.

Environmental Music Prize

The Environmental Music Prize looks for a song to inspire action on climate and conservation.

J Awards

The J Awards are annual Australian music awards from the radio station Triple J.

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards celebrate music from Victoria, Australia.

National Indigenous Music Awards

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognize excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians.

Briggs' Discography

Studio Albums

EPs

Singles

As Lead Artist

Guest Appearances