Budjerah is a fair dinkum Australian triple-threat: a young man with the voice of an angel, the patience of a saint, and the style of a gentleman.
Hailing from Fingal Head, a popular surf spot in northern New South Wales, Budjerah (full name: Budjerah Julum Slabb) is one of the most promising artists of his generation, boasting a trophy cabinet stacked with ARIA and APRA Awards, and bragging rights. Among them, a collaboration with Ed Sheeran on “2step,” and a spot on the Englishman’s 2023 stadium tour of these parts.
What he doesn’t have in his resume is a full-length album. That all changes on Friday, July 24 with the release of Gentleman. Led by the singles “Even At Worst”, “Could I Be”, “Want You Back” and the title track, the 11-track collection is his debut full-length LP through a deal with Warner Music Australia, partnering with Warner Records in the United States.
Almost five years have passed since he collected best newcomer honors at the 2021 ARIA Awards, becoming the first winner of an award renamed after the late impresario Michael Gudinski, presented during a lockdown edition of the industry ceremony. At the time, he was already part of the WMA stable.
“Yeah, it did take a long time. There were definitely moments where I was like, ‘oh, oh, come on,’” Budjerah says of the lost-gestating project. “I think it all turned out how it was supposed to.”
Budjerah is the gentleman of the project. The 24-year-old artist is softly spoken, and dapper in a grey suit, for his interview with Billboard at Warner Music Australia’s offices in Sydney. “I like to dress up, so I thought it would be fun,” he says of the album’s title and artwork. Ahead of the release, his team secured another essential piece for his wardrobe by striking an alliance with Akubra, the iconic Australian hat-maker which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary (Budjerah wears a Slim Dusty design, a nod to the late, great country artist, for a new campaign.)
The proud Coodjinburra man was raised singing gospel music in the church band. He counts Michael Jackson, Usher, Beyonce and, more recently, Puerto Rican artist Rauw Alejandro among his sources of inspiration, but points to Stevie Wonder and gospel music as “the foundation of my technique and my musical understanding.”
Gentleman is the work of a perfectionist, getting at it with studio-sharpened pros. Produced by Om’Mas Keith (Frank Ocean, Jay-Z), the collection also features the songwriting talents of Diane Warren on album closer “Even At My Worst,” and songwriters Autumn Rowe (Alexis Jordan, Kylie Minogue), Kizzo Keaz (Jon Batiste, Ne-Yo), and Philip Lawrence (Bruno Mars).
The result, a collection of up-tempo, performance-ready works with a nostalgic flavor.
“I learned a lot,” Budjerah says of his time with Keith, and the late-night sessions that sort the real talent from the rest. “I really enjoy having a producer or collaborators that are way better than me so I can learn.” The Australian more-than kept up. Keith “held me to a standard of, like, a lot of older singers,” he admits.
Much has happened since the Gentleman project began simmering almost four years ago. Budjerah kept his growing fanbase connected and ready with a string of singles and EPs, and tours. Ands he recently got married to his high school sweetheart, Sophie. Australian Vogue shared the official photos.
He’s all grown up. A Gentleman.
The album is “inspired by who I wanted to be when I was growing up,” he explains in a statement. “Between my life at home and life on the road, I experienced so much change and growth. Chasing my dreams I faced new challenges which helped me understand who I wanted to be. Every song on this album holds a piece of me. I hope little Budjerah is proud.”
He’ll support the record in his homeland with a five-date national tour this October and November, a new-look production with high-energy dancers and a slick, full band featuring several members of his extended family. Before that, three acoustic performances and album signings in the final days of July.
In time, Budjerah hopes to bring his new music to audiences in North America. “I guess time will tell,” he says. Patience, as we know, is part of his skillset.
