Mitch Tambo's song Yugal Yulu-gi nominated for 2025 Environmental Music Prize

Australia's Got Talent finalist, Australia Decides 2020 competitor, and First Nations artist Mitch Tambo's single Yugal Yulu-gi has been nominated for the 2025 Environmental Music Prize.

The song is one of 30 finalists in contention for this year's Environmental Music Prize, reflecting a variety of musical styles, moods, and attitudes, as well as Australia's multicultural society.

The 30 finalists were selected by environmental leaders, music ambassadors, and impact partners for their ability to connect people to nature, encourage reflection, and inspire action for climate and conservation.

The Environmental Music Prize was launched during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2021.

Originally launched as a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation, the prize, in partnership with Green Music Australia, aims to celebrate and amplify the voices of artists who inspire action for these environmental issues.

This year marks the third edition of the Environmental Music Prize, where the winner will receive $20 000 AUD.

The winner will be decided entirely by a public vote open to anyone worldwide. In 2023, people from 59 countries participated in the voting.

Melburnian rock outfit King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Victorian singer Xavier Rudd won the first two Environmental Music Prizes, with the band donating their prize money to The Wilderness Society and Xavier Rudd giving his winnings to four environmental causes.

Mitch Tambo's single Yugal Yulu-gi means "song and dance" in the Gamilaraay language, and is about paying respect to culture, land, lore, and our ancestors.

Speaking to the National Indigenous Times about the meaning of the song, Mitch Tambo said:

"It's about being under the open night sky, celebrating life, whilst letting go of the weight and pressures of the world, celebrating with your people."

The song aims to uplift listeners and transcend language barriers by being sung entirely in Gamilaraay.

On the track, Mitch Tambo muses:

“I wanted to share the freedom and healing that music and movement can bring to someone’s life. This track is is a feel good upbeat anthemic song to really uplift and help listeners feel free. I love how it makes me feel."

The single was Mitch Tambo's tenth consecutive number 1 on the iTunes Worldwide Chart and was featured in the 2023 coverage of the NRL Indigenous Round on Fox Sports.

When asked why he wrote Yugal Yulu-gi, Mitch Tambo highlighted the profound significance the environment holds in Aboriginal culture, playing a central role in spirituality, identity, and sustainable living practices. The Australia Decides 2020 artist also feels it is important to share and celebrate this with the world.

You can listen to all the songs nominated for the 2025 Environmental Music Prize and vote for the three that resonate most on the Environmental Music Prize website here.

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