Airileke "Airi" David Ingram, also referred to mononymously as Airileke, is a Papua New Guinean-Australian musician and producer.[1] His album Weapon of Choice (October 2012) was nominated at the ARIA Music Awards of 2013 for Best World Music Album.[2]

Airileke
Birth nameAirileke David Ingram
BornAustralia
Genres
  • World
  • dub reggae
  • hip hop
Occupations
  • Musician
  • producer
Instruments

Biography

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Ingram was born in Australia, his family comes from a village, Gabagaba, Central Province, Papua New Guinea and he is of Melanesian descent.[3][4][5] He grew up in both PNG and Darwin, Northern Territory.[3] He learnt traditional drumming techniques from his grandfather.[3] Ingram joined the Australian Youth Orchestra as a percussionist for a world tour.[3] As a drummer and/or percussionist,[6] he has performed with or been a member of Drum Drum,[5] Telek, Bart Willoughby, Wild Water, Gurrumul, Yothu Yindi, Tribe of Jubal and Grrilla Step.

Drum Drum is the English translation for Gabagaba, and the group, which is based in Darwin, is led by Tau Ingram on lead vocals.[7][8] As of August 2006 the line-up was Airi Ingram on keyboards, percussion, vocals and dance; Phillip Eaton on bass guitar, percussion, dance and vocals; Julia Gray on dance and vocals; Anna Ingram (née Faehse) on vocals, violin and percussion, Paia Ingram on vocals, dance and percussion; Tau Ingram on lead vocals, dance and percussion; Aiva Kadiba on dance, percussion and vocals and Mark Smith on drum kit and percussion.[9] Previous members include Ranu James on percussion.

In 2006 Ingram and David Bridie established the Wantok Musik Foundation. With Tania Nugent he formed Makoda, which directed the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Pacific Games, held in 2015.[5] In support of the West Papua Independence movement he co-wrote, recorded and issued the single, "Sorong Samarai" (2016) with the movement's leader, Benny Wenda.[4]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details Peak positions
AUS
Weapon of Choice
  • Released: 15 October 2012[10][11]
  • Label: Birds Robe Records /MGM W0009
  • Formats: CD

Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2013 Weapon of Choice Best World Music Album Nominated [12]

Music Victoria Awards

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The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.[13]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013[14][15] Airileke Best Global or Reggae Act Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Fitzpatrick, Stephen (1 December 2016). "We didn't cross the border, it crossed us, says PNG's Airileke Ingram". The Australian.
  2. ^ Paget, Clive (1 October 2014), "Whitwell wins ARIA for Best Classical Album", Limelight
  3. ^ a b c d Nicol, Emily (6 March 2018). "Airileke Ingram – It's a Long Story Podcast". Sydney Opera House. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ a b Caccetta, Wendy (1 December 2016). "Airileke and Benny Cry Freedom Over West Papuan Rule". National Indigenous Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ a b c Peters, Cathy (2 August 2014). "Drum Drum with Airileke – Into the Music". Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Airileke: Weapon of Choice". Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)).
  7. ^ "Drum Drum at the AirDance ArtSpace". Aquila Arts. 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Artists :: Drum Drum". Australian Music Online. Archived from the original on 21 November 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "NT Acts: Drum Drum". music NT:: your music office. 19 August 2006. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ Blackley, Graham, "Airileke: Weapon of Choice", Beat Magazine
  11. ^ Jordan, Seth (10 April 2013), "Top of the World: Airileke – Weapon of Choice", Songlines, archived from the original on 20 December 2016, retrieved 8 December 2016
  12. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards – Winners by Award – Best World Music Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Music Victoria | 2016 Genre Awards". www.musicvictoria.com.au. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
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