APY Land’s ‘DEM MOB’ are artists making an impact
Formed in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in north-western South Australia, DEM MOB are a force to be reckoned with. Not only are they the first hip-hop group to emerge from the region, but they are also the first to rap in the local Pitjantjatjara language.
Within three years, DEM MOB have been awarded 10 South Australian Music Awards, including Best Hip Hop Act, Best Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Artist, and Best Music Educators.
While the group is recognised as the world’s most remote hip-hop group, they’ve made a large impact on both national and international stages. The group has performed on stages at WOMAADelaide, the iconic Primavera Sound (Barcelona), BIGSOUND, SXSW Sydney, as well as at The Lincoln Center (New York) and Toronto’s International First Nation’s Music Summit. They’ve also supported artists Seth Sentry, Regurgitator and Lenny Kravitz on tour.
However, no matter how far they travel, their country is at the heart of who they are and all that they do. On this, the group says:
“Country is a big part of who we are, as individuals, but as a group. I think the connection to the land and our language is a big part of our identity. And I think it's at the centre of what drives our music. You know, as an Aboriginal First Nations person, you know, the language, the country and where you're from is a big part of the foundation of, you know, building confidence to be able to leave your community.”
This is a theme that is at the core of their music, as well as political resistance. ‘DIP’, a rhythmic and powerful track that explores the struggles of being racially profiled by police, is one the greatest examples of this. The song is composed of an energetic beat and empowering lyrics, and serves as a reminder to First Nations youth to keep informed.
As the world’s most remote hip-hop group, they feel a sense of responsibility to put their knowledge and resources straight back into their community and country. Reflecting on this, they shared:
“It's so remote and divided from the rest of the country that it's so hard to get opportunities in there but I guess like our mission is to be able to obviously build our band and the profile to be able to, okay, we're from this small place that has limited opportunities. How can we then use our networking and the people that we've met along this journey that we're building to then go back home and deliver music and, you know, provide that for our home.”
Alongside their music, DEM MOB champions education reform, promoting education as a tool to empower First Nations youth rather than to assimilate them. Their work has already played a role in shaping education policy and pathways, assisting in the opening of the new Fregon Anangu School in far north South Australia on the Aṉangu Lands at the end of 2025. DEM MOB are even stepping into the role of teachers at the school, creating a unique SACE Certificate II in Music course in collaboration with TAFE SA, where some members of the group will lecture in the Pitjantjatjara language.
The group have just released a brand-new single ‘Dream’, a motivating anthem that encourages listeners not to wait for their dreams to come true, but to put the work into making them a reality.
With an incredible range of vocals throughout and an almost rock-like electronic beat, the single will be taken on the road as they tour to regional and major venues across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland between February and May 2026.
Not only are the group one of Australia’s most exciting up and coming acts, but they are also making a serious impact where it counts. We just couldn’t be more excited to see what’s on the card’s next for them.
