Barkaa Hits New Milestone, 'Breaking Cycles Of Intergenerational Trauma & Addiction'

Australian rapper and musician Barkaa, a Malyangapa and Barkindji woman, has recently taken to social media to reveal that she’s seven years free of using methamphetamine.

The remarkable achievement marks a significant moment for the artist, who’s “breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and addiction.”

“I had a beautiful day yesterday celebrating my 7 years clean from ice, I was reminded how loved I am, how supported I am, that I am here, I am staunch, I am BLAK and I am woman,” Barkaa wrote on Facebook on Friday (13 October). “I am my Ancestors wildest dreams, my mob are so proud of me, I got out them chains, made it out and got my family back.”

Perhaps referencing her 2020 song, For My Tittas, where she rapped, “Raise strong black kids, throw those drugs in the bin/ And you'll be bound to make your old people look at you and grin”, Barkaa’s post added, “My old people didn’t fight for me to throw away my life to drugs and alcohol”.

Barkaa detailed that she’s “breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and addiction”, and in addition to the powerful life changes she’s made, she gets to be an even greater role model to her children and community.

“I am showing my Blak babies that this country… is Black land… they come from here… it’s their right to succeed, to build a beautiful Blak future and to thrive and not struggle like we had to,” Barkaa wrote. “I wouldn’t be the woman I am without the beautiful people in my life who have been apart of the journey with me. Needed that reminder of who tf I am”.

In March, Barkaa explained why the new Australian hip-hop documentary Burn Gently is crucial in tracking Australian music history. “I'm really excited to come together as a collective and yarn about how impactful hip-hop culture is to all of us and how it translates within diverse groups,” she said.

Last year, Barkaa took home the National Indigenous Music Award for Film Clip of the Year for her track, King Brown.

If you or someone you know is dealing with addiction or other mental-related illness, we implore you to get in contact with Beyondblue or Lifeline:

Beyondblue: 1300 224 636

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Call-Back Service: 1300 659 467

Beyondblue and Lifeline both also offer online chat/counsel. Check their respective websites for operational hours and details.