Mau Power, born Patrick James Mau, is a hip hop artist from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and is the first Australian rapper to tour from this region.Australian Independent Record Labels Association, Sept 17, 2019, Mau Power – Arrived Power, https://www.air.org.au/news/4399/mau-power-arrived-feat-marcus-corowa He is also the founder and executive director of One Blood Hidden Image, the first Torres Strait independent record distribution label, film production and media company.The Combinator, Australia’s hip hop directory and community forum, Patrick Mau (Mau Power), https://australianhiphopdirectory.com/listing/patrick-mau/?doing_wp_cron=1564551345.0653600692749023437500
Career While he recorded his first song in Brisbane when he was 17 and attending the University of Southern Queensland.
In 2012, Mau was a producer for the National Indigenous Television (NITV) Our Stories.
Mau's second album The Show Will Go On, an autobiography, was released in 2014 after being recorded over a period of two years. The album included a remake of "My Island Home", which he performed with Christine Anu at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Australia on the Gold Coast.
In 2015, Mau was one selected as of the emerging Indigenous film producers to be part of the Screen Australia Indigenous Producers Initiative. He has also produced documentaries and music videos for NITV, SBS, ABC and online platforms. His production company also produces promotional and corporate films for health and educational organisations.
Mau has toured nationally and internationally and also collaborated with Australian musicians Archie Roach and Christine Anu.SBS, October 25, 2016, Shami Sivasubramanian, Mau Power: "I saw hip hop as a culture of hope for people who didn’t have any opportunities", https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2016/07/01/mau-power-i-saw-hip-hop-culture-hope-people-who-didnt-have-any-opportunities Eddie Mabo’s daughter, Gail Mabo, selected Mau to sing an ode she wrote to her father on the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision, which overturned the notion of terra nullius in Australia.Torres Strait Regional Authority Annual Report 2013 - 2014, p.204
On 26 January 2020, Mau was a guest performer at the Sydney Indigenous Smoking Ceremony on Australia Day.National Indigenous Times, September 26, 2019, Mau Power weaves Torres Strait identity into new album, https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/1/17/10-to-broadcast-indigenous-smoking-ceremony-live-for-australia-day
In July 2020, he was nominated for two awards at the National Indigenous Music Awards.
Personal Mau Power, who grew up on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, is a Dhoebaw man of the Guda Malullgal nations and is guided by two cultures: Indigeous (Torres Strait Islander), and hip hop.
He was jailed in 2001 for nine months for a street fight and said this jail time made him reflect on his life, and he decided to focus on his music, which he said is dedicated to inspiring others.February 27, 2014, Mau Power: Growing Pains, https://www.deadlyvibe.com.au/2014/02/mau-power-growing-pains
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums Title Details Two Shades of Grey Released: 2008 Label: Mau Power Format: DD The Show Will Go On Released: July 2014 Label: Mau Power Format: DD Blue Lotus Awakening Released: July 2019 Label: One Blood Hidden Format: DD
Singles + List of singles as lead artist Title Year Album "My Blood, My People" 2006 Two Shades of Grey "One Blood, Hidden Image" 2008 "Warupau Nur (Sing Strong)" 2013 The Show Will Go On "My Island Home" 2014 "Freedom" "Koiki" 2017 Blue Lotus Awakening "Arrived" 2019 "Warrior Dance" 2020
Awards and nominations National Indigenous Music Awards The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) is an annual award ceremony and recognises excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Northern Territory music industry.
| rowspan="2"| 2020 | "Himself" | Artist of the Year
| Blue Lotus the Awakening | Album of the Year
J Awards The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
| J Awards of 2020 | Jaguar Jonze | Unearthed Artist of the Year
Queensland Music Awards The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.
| 2020 | "Arrived" (featuring Marcus Corowa) | Indigenous Song of the Year
References
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