"Better Days" is a song by Indigenous Australian rappers Baker Boy and Dallas Woods featuring Zambian Australian rapper Sampa the Great, released as a standalone single on 23 September 2020.

Background and release "Better Days" follows Baker's single "Move", released in March the same year. The song marks the second time Baker and Woods have collaborated, following 2018's "Black Magic", but is the first time that either Baker or Woods have collaborated with Sampa the Great.

"Better Days" was premiered on Triple J's Drive with Hobba and Hing on 22 September 2020.

Composition and lyrics Musically, "Better Days" is a hip hop, and neo soul song. The song contains lyrics in three languages: English, Yolngu Matha and Bemba.

The lyrics discuss "oppression, the pressures of meeting the expectations of your culture, and imposter syndrome ."

Promotion Baker began teasing the collaboration on Instagram on 16 September, sharing a photo of the three artists together. The following day, he confirmed the artists had worked together, announcing the single on social media. Baker additionally posted videos of himself on TikTok, showing him dancing amongst various Bendigo landmarks.

Critical reception Triple J journalist Sose Fuamoli felt that the song "shows a new side of [Baker Boy's] musicality and proves that he can explore honest territory with emotional depth.

Beat Magazines Kate Streader thought the song was "new thematic territory" for Baker and felt the song offered "an ultimately uplifting message of resilience and perseverance".

Stack Magazines Amy Flower described the song as "piping hot" and called its release "timely".

Track listings

In popular culture On 21 September 2020, two days prior to the song's release, the song's Airwolf remix was used to soundtrack TikTok's first local campaign in Australia.

Credits and personnel Credits adapted from Spotify.

Performing artists Baker Boy – vocals Dallas Woods – vocals Sampa the Great – vocals Airwolf – production

Additional personnel Dallas Woods – writing Danny Duque Perez – writing Danzal Baker – writing Dennis Dowlut – writing Kasey Heerah – writing Maxwell Bidstrup – writing Mike Scala – writing Sampa Tembo – writing Dennis Dowlut – production Maxwell Bidstrup – production

References