Although his solo career brought him wider acclaim, he was also formerly a member of Yothu Yindi, and later Saltwater Band. He was the most commercially successful Aboriginal Australian musician at the time of his death.
The first of four sons born to Ganyinurra (Daisy) and Nyambi (Terry) Yunupingu, he was born in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island in 1971, situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about 530 kilometres east of Darwin. He was from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother was from the Galpu nation. He was born blind, never learned Braille and did not have a guide dog or use a white cane, and was said to be acutely shy. When he was four years old, he learned how to play a toy piano and an accordion by teaching himself. A year later he began to play a guitar; despite being a left-hander, he played a right-handed guitar, holding it "upside down", which he would continue to do throughout his career.
His first solo album, Gurrumul, debuted at No. 69 on the ARIA Charts and No. 1 on the independent chart. Gurrumul peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Charts. The album was certified triple platinum. Yunupingu's friend Michael Hohnen produced the album and was his translator. Critics have heaped praise on the singer, describing his voice as having "transcendental beauty". Elton John, Sting and Björk were among his fans. When asked what he would do with any money he made, he suggested it would go to his mother and aunts, following the Aboriginal tradition of sharing wealth.
In 2008 Yunupingu was nominated for four ARIA Awards, winning the awards for Best World Music Album and Best Independent Release. He also won three Deadlys, winning for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Gurrumul and Single of the Year for "Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)".
In November 2009, he was named Best New Independent Artist, and his album, Gurrumul, Best Independent Release and Best Independent Blues/Roots Release at the Jägermeister Australian Independent Record (AIR) Awards held at Melbourne's Corner Hotel. In 2009 a portrait of Gurrumul by Guy Maestri won Australia's major art prize, the Archibald Prize.
He was again awarded the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album in 2011 for his album Rrakala. In the same year his single Bayini became the first track by an indigenous musician to reach the top five of the Australian charts.
In 2012 Gurrumul was one of the contributing vocalists on Gary Barlow's commemorative single "Sing" for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which features artists from across the Commonwealth. He performed "Sing" live at the Diamond Jubilee Concert on Monday 4 June 2012 together with many of the song's contributing artists. In 2012 Gurrumul had conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Sydney.
In 2013, Gurrumul joined Delta Goodrem for a special performance of "Bayini" on The Voice Australia. During the performance, he stated: "Yolngu are deep thinking philosophical people. The words in the song refer to many families sitting together on the beach looking to waves and sea, the horizon, contemplating."
In December 2013, Gurrumul released a live album, titled His Life and Music which was recorded in the Sydney Opera House and released through ABC Music. It was nominated for Australian Independent Record Labels Association and ARIA awards.
In 2015, Gurrumul toured the US. He released his third studio album, The Gospel Album on 31 July 2015. It debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Charts. In October 2015, the album won Gurrumul's third ARIA Award for Best World Music Album.
Yunupingu died at Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, at about 5 p.m. on 25 July 2017, aged 46. He had suffered from liver and kidney diseases for many years. Upon his death he was described as an important figure in fostering racial harmony, and as a voice of indigenous Australians. He received tributes from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, fellow musician Peter Garrett, and the Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Bäpa
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ŋaraku bapawu
Ŋurununa gunipunharayu
Ya, a, bäpa marrkapmirri
Ŋathina wilawilayurruna
Ŋuruŋuna djarrawalyurruna
Liya-wayma Bekulŋura
M, m, m, m, m, m
Ŋäthina Djotarra manda
Garray Dhuwandjika Daylulu
Ŋuruŋuna djarrapalwuyu
Liya-wayma wäŋaŋura Gunyaŋarri
M, m, m, m, m, m
The song "Bäpa" by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is sung in his native language Yolngu and the lyrics convey the concept of family, love, and appreciation for one's roots. The opening lines, "Warwuyu ŋarranha mulkana, ŋaraku bapawu" mean "Our father who is in heaven, we love you." These words portray the deep-rooted belief in ancestors and spirits that are revered in Yolngu culture. The following lines, "Ŋurununa gunipunharayu, ya, a, bäpa marrkapmirri" mean "We are following in your footsteps, father, with love in our hearts and our spirits moving forward." This expresses how the Yolngu hold their cultural traditions in high regard and aim to follow their ancestors' footsteps.
The second stanza talks about the land and people who are an integral part of the Yolngu culture. "Ŋathina wilawilayurruna, ŋuruŋuna djarrawalyurruna, Liya-wayma Bekulŋura, ya, a bäpa marrkapmirri" means "We live and work for our country, our people, and our forefathers." Here, Gurrumul highlights the importance of preserving their language, culture, land, and their bond with people from their community.
In the final stanza, Gurrumul pays homage to his roots and his family lineage. "Ŋäthina Djotarra manda, Garray Dhuwandjika Daylulu, ŋuruŋuna djarrapalwuyu, liya-wayma wäŋaŋura Gunyaŋarri" means "Our family line is from Djotarra, our ancestors are from Garray and Dhuwandjika, and we continue to belong to our land Gunyaŋarri." This implies the unity and connection within the Yolngu community that is based on their family bonds and shared ancestral roots.
Overall, "Bäpa" is a heartfelt tribute to the Yolngu culture and their rich heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Warwuyu ŋarranha mulkana
The wind is blowing in from the sea
Ŋaraku bapawu
My father is gone
Ŋurununa gunipunharayu
I am left with a heavy heart
Ya, a, bäpa marrkapmirri
Oh, my father, I miss you deeply
Ŋathina wilawilayurruna
The waves are crashing against the shore
Ŋuruŋuna djarrawalyurruna
The thunder echoes in the distance
Liya-wayma Bekulŋura
In the land of the ancestors
Ya, a bäpa marrkapmirri
Oh, my father, I miss you deeply
M, m, m, m, m, m
The sound of the wind and sea, a constant reminder of my loss
Ŋäthina Djotarra manda
The sky is darkening
Garray Dhuwandjika Daylulu
The world is changing
Ŋuruŋuna djarrapalwuyu
The lightning strikes the land
Liya-wayma wäŋaŋura Gunyaŋarri
In the land of the spirits, my father waits for me
M, m, m, m, m, m
The storm passes, but the pain remains
Writer(s): Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Contributed by Arianna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@auarchitecturekillerdesign7824
Lyrical magical luvable. The world will.miss a humble man so sincrer to his co.munitiy
@Xenuspawn
I saw him live in Perth last night - outside - it was warm and the stars were amazing. I woke up this morning with this song ringing in my head, so glad to find it here. I've heard him before, but not outside. What a privilege! Unimaginable beauty. What a voice!
@cherylteamo3834
Beautiful
@gailmcculloch8992
Rest in eternal peace ❤️🖤💛 thank you for sharing your immense talent with the world 😢
@JH-ye9bw
Such a loss to music and his community.
RIP your beautiful voice will live on.
@barbaraberry8268
Beautiful voice and song so relaxing to listen amazing
@mauricehunt666
just beautiful.
@MrBobbyDan
L-O-V-E your music and lyrics.
@louistahmumu6432
Juste un grand "MERCI"...😇😇
@dotty111100
My bucket to die list hear this man singing takes you to my heaven :)