TRIPLE J Unearthed winner Lucky Luke was recognised for his contribution to music at the NAIDOC gala dinner in Cloncurry on Saturday.
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The Indigenous hip hop artist opened the One Night Stand event at Tony White Oval in April – undoubtedly one of the reasons he was recognised in the Cloncurry Shire Hall.
Lucky Luke is the stage name for Joseph Dargan, who has Cloncurry roots and partly identifies as Mitakoodi. He also identifies as Waanyi and Kalkadoon.
“I have mixed events on receiving the award, and it is good to be recognised in my hometown,” the performer said.
Mr Dargan has also recently been recognised for being an APRA finalist. He said he is also “unofficially” nominated for three National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA).
These nominations are for best song, best music video and best new talent.
As an APRA finalist Mr Dargan was listed among five finalists in the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander category.
“I am over the moon because it is such a big deal that comes around every two years,” Mr Dargan said.
“Past winners have been the likes of Briggs Gotye and many more well known musicians.”
To be eligible for the APRA Mr Dargan had to apply for the professional grant.
“And for the NIMAs, well, I am surprised because I did not know anyone nominated me this year.
“So to get an email saying I am a finalist for three categories is awesome compared to 2015, when I was a finalist in only one category.”
Mr Dargan said his performance at One Night Stand would have helped him receive recognition from people who might have nominated him for NIMA.
His performance at the Yabun festival in Sydney to commemorate Survival Day would also have helped put him on “a few people’s radar.”
He had performed to about 3000 people. It had been the largest audience Mr Dargan had performed to, at least perhaps until One Night Stand three months later.
It was while attending Yabun in January that Mr Dargan was in the proximity of tear gas thrown by police officers, having witnessed the Australian flag being burned in a protest.