Locals Only: Bousta
BOUSTA has made his mark, dropping deadly records and turning heads all across Adelaide. This year, the Arrernte rapper has turned momentum into meaning, fusing language, truth and culture to create something that lasts.
Interview Millah Hansberry // Image supplied
Congrats on a huge year! You’ve been non-stop kicking goals. What have been your favourite moments of 2025?
Definitely a huge year! WOMAD, Scouted and being a finalist for Best New Artist has been crazy. This year I’ve been so busy working on new tracks and finding my feet in the Adelaide music scene. My favourite moment would be when I attended BIGSOUND and jumped up on stage, doing a cypher with Perth’s deadliest rapper Flewnt and the brothers from Downsyde.
You’ve dropped your latest single ‘Crazy’ with BALA Muugzy. Tell us about this track and the making of process.
This track is called ‘Crazy’ because it is crazy. Muugzy and I were in the studio coming up with different ideas for a new track as we had released ‘Loved Ones’ together and wanted to make another, but with a whole different feel. ‘Crazy’ is just pretty much Muugzy and I letting loose, showing everyone what we’re capable of and saying “yeah we’re here and we’re staying here”.
You grew up in Alice Springs/Mparntwe and moved to Adelaide in early high school. How have these communities shaped your sound and your relationship to the music you create?
I grew up listening to my brothers rapping and my uncles in rock bands in Alice Springs. Moving to Adelaide really opened up my eyes, as I saw that I could become someone here. My sound is pretty much the sound from the desert; we all talk about keeping our spirit strong, keeping our language and culture alive and the importance of teaching the next generation to carry on that tradition. This is mixed with the Adelaide city life feel of partying and having fun, but keeping it within limits.
You’ve cited listening to N.W.A and 2Pac growing up, and also have mentioned that you are inspired by your community, family and culture. How do these influences come together in your own voice?
N.W.A and 2Pac both have been a huge inspiration for me in many ways: they both rap about what they saw growing up and never held back from speaking the truth. Being from Alice Springs, you grow up differently. Yeah, we’re very rich in culture and language, but also face racism and stereotypes on the daily. That’s why my community and family inspired me to grow. Dealing with issues like that but still having smiles on their faces definitely makes me proud to say I’m an Arrernte man.
In some of your tracks, you fuse languages, using both English and Arrernte. What inspired the choice to weave these languages together?
English being my second language, sometimes I struggle with finding the right words to express or describe my feelings. Arrernte just makes me feel more comfortable. At the same time, I’m hitting two birds with one stone with audiences - there’s the English speakers and the Arrernte speakers together. My mother and her sister are all Arrernte teachers, so speaking in Arrernte is a must for me.
In 2024 and 2025, you’ve taken part in several artist development programs. What lessons have you taken from those spaces that have influenced how you approach your craft?
The WOMAD academy really got me out of my shell - my whole time it was just nothing but fun. I want to thank everyone at the Northern Sound System. I’ve learnt a lot from the academy, like stage presence, being organised with an electronic press kit and learning to really find myself as an artist. Scouted helped with networking and how to pitch myself as a musician to labels, managers and agents. I’m in my second year in sound engineering studying at the University of Adelaide, which is so much hands-on work, but I’m having fun.
You have a focus on inspiring young people, showing them how to forge productive and creative outlets. Why is youth work so important to you?
They are the next generation, the next lot of leaders. I want them to know that music is a great tool to be used as an outlet, a great way to tell stories and pass on knowledge. Working in schools, I see the joy that they get when music really speaks to them – it’s just magical. Music is a universal language and if they can utilise it to express themselves then I think it will help them grow and understand more.
Listen to BOUSTA’s latest track ‘Crazy’ featuring BALA Muugzy, available on all streaming platforms now.
