Baker Boy headlined the second night of NBA House Australia on Friday (May 15), closing out the evening session at The Timber Yard in Melbourne with a live performance — marking one of the more unexpected but fitting intersections of Australian music and American basketball culture in recent memory.
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The Northern Territory rapper and dancer, whose real name is Danzal Baker, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. as part of the NBA’s inaugural Australian fan experience, which is running across four days from May 14–17 at the Port Melbourne venue.
The 6,000-square-metre space features playoff viewing parties, basketball challenges, an NBA 2K26 gaming zone, streetwear showcases, photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and appearances from NBA players.
Friday’s programming also included appearances from Atlanta Hawks center and Australian NBA representative Jock Landale, who participated in a “Courtside Stories” fan engagement session at 12:30 p.m., and four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, who appeared for crossover appearances in the afternoon before hosting another “Courtside Stories” session and photo opportunities in the evening. The Sacramento Kings Dance Team and Dunk Team also performed across the day.
NBA House Australia is headlined across the weekend by All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cousins, who are appearing across the event for meet-and-greets, fan sessions and scheduled programming.
Jackson Jr. said ahead of the event: “I know Australian fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and I look forward to celebrating the excitement of the NBA Playoffs with them.”
The NBA appearance comes during a strong stretch for Baker Boy. The six-time ARIA Award-winner recently wrapped a 10-date Australian album tour behind his second record DJANDJAY and has been debuting new anthem “CURSE” in his live sets ahead of the forthcoming DJANDJAY (Deluxe), due later this year via Island Records/Universal Music Australia.
“Everyone has been going mad for it,” Baker Boy said of the track. “You know you got something good when people haven’t ever heard the track before, but you can see the whole crowd bouncing to it.”
Written and produced in Melbourne by Baker Boy alongside longtime collaborators Pip Norman (Troye Sivan, Missy Higgins) and Rob Amoruso (G Flip, Thelma Plum), “CURSE” also features acclaimed Toronto-based songwriter and producer WondaGurl (Rihanna, Travis Scott, SZA), who joined the sessions as part of the inaugural ARIA Collab Initiative.
