Munkimuk facts for kids

Mark Ross, known as Munk or Munkimuk, is a talented hip hop artist and music producer from Sydney, Australia. Many people call him "The Grandfather of Indigenous Hip Hop" because he has been performing for a very long time. He started breakdancing in 1984 and began rapping in 1988. Munk is known for making music, performing as an MC (rapper), breakdancing, hosting events, and even being a radio host. He has inspired many other Australian hip hop artists. He has worked in the music industry for over 30 years, helping and producing many musicians in Australia and Asia.

In 2014, Mark "Munk" Ross was honored by being added to the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall Of Fame. This is a special place for important Indigenous musicians.

Munk's Early Music Journey

Munk started his music career in Sydney in the late 1980s. He loved breakdancing and was inspired by the new hip hop music. He taught himself how to play instruments like bass, keyboards, and drums. He also learned how to use a sampler, which is a machine that records and plays back sounds.

Munkimuk was a founding member of the group South West Syndicate, which won a Deadly Award. In 2005, he released his first demo album. He raps in his traditional language, Jardwadjali, which comes from the Grampians National Park in Victoria, as well as in English. He is also very good at freestyle rapping, which means making up rhymes on the spot. Munk has performed internationally in Europe, Canada, and the USA. Since 1989, he has played hundreds of shows at big events like Big Day Out, Yabun, and The Deadlys.

Recognitions and New Projects

In 2006, Munkimuk was nominated for a Deadly Award for his song "Dreamtime." Another version of "Dreamtime" was featured on the 2009 CD "Making Waves - Indigenous Hip Hop." This CD was released by Gadigal Music and ABC.

In late 2012, Munk started a new music project called "Renegades Of Munk." In 2014, they released their first album, also called "Renegades Of Munk." This album featured many guest artists, including Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil and singer Anne Kirkpatrick.

In 2017, Munk rejoined South West Syndicate after they had been apart for 14 years. This led to their 2019 single "Back Like A Boomerang." They also recorded the 2022 album "Promised Land." Munk has also been working on his own solo music releases.

Munk's Work as a Composer

In 2021 and 2022, Munk Ross was chosen for the Ngarra-Burria First People's composer's initiative. This program helps First Peoples develop their skills in classical music composition. It also helps them connect with people in the music industry. The program was created by Aboriginal composer Dr. Christopher Sainsbury. It works with partners like the School of Music at the Australian National University and the ABC.

During this program, Munk composed several pieces of music. One of his works, "Streets of Sydney," was included on a CD performed by Ensemble Offspring. This CD was released through ABC Classics.

Music Production and Collaborations

Munkimuk is also well known for producing and recording music. Over the last 15 years, he has worked with many different artists. These include Jimblah, L-FRESH the LION, Yothu Yindi, Nabarlek Band, Thirsty Merc, Grinspoon, and Stiff Gins. He also plays bass, rhythm and lead guitar, keyboards, and drums.

Munk has his own music studio and also works as a producer and engineer at Gadigal Studios. Since 2013, Mark has been producing and co-writing songs in South East Asia. He has helped create three hit songs that have been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube!

Radio and TV Broadcasting

Munk has also been a radio presenter on 93.7FM Koori Radio. He hosted shows like "Making Tracks," "The Brekky Show," and the "Indij Hip Hop Show." He has also been a presenter on ABC Radio and Channel V on TV. In 2008, he won a CBAA Award for his contributions to local music. Munk also had a segment called "Hip Hop Drop" on the "Deadly Sounds" program. In 2011, Munkimuk was nominated for a Deadly Award for Community Broadcaster of the Year.

Community Work and Mentoring

Mark travels around Australia working on community hip hop projects. For many years, he has created and worked on events with organizations like Gadigal Information Service/Koori Radio and Vibe Australia. He helps mentor new and emerging artists, sharing his knowledge and experience.

Munkimuk has been breakdancing since 1983 and is still an active breakdancer today!

Discography

• Ten Years Too Late (2005 Demo)
• "Renegades Of Munk" (2014) through Impossible Odds Records an MGM Distribution
• Streets of Sydney (2022)