‘THIS IS AUSTRALIA’ MUSIC VIDEO STARTS CONVERSATIONS ON NATIONAL IDENTITY

The film clip for ‘This is Australia’ references serious issues in Australia’s past and present. (Supplied: Marrugeku.)

A Noongar rapper, an Indigenous dance troupe and the Fitzroy Crossing community have worked together to create an Australian version of Childish Gambino’s 2018 hit song ‘This is America’.

‘This Is Australia’ references Australia’s colonial history, the country’s youth justice crisis, and refugee rights.

Indigenous dance company Marrugeku created and performed in the project, with vocals and lyrics provided by Noongar rapper Beni Bjah.

The video was filmed on Bunuba Country with members of the Fitzroy Crossing community.

Beni Bjah said the song is about Australia's past and present.

“When the convicts were sent to Australia, they had nowhere to live and they were sort of like refugees as well, and they came here and set it up,” he said.

“When refugees are wanting to come to these shores now, we’re locking them up and treating them like our First Nations people.

“What we don’t understand we want to lock up or send home.

“That’s a statement we actually say in the song.”

He said he hopes the song will help start important conversations in the lead up to the Voice to Parliament referendum.

“I know some people have their own opinions, but I think we should vote ‘yes’ so we can have a voice and start having black people having an input for black issues.”

Listen to our full interview with Beni Bjah: