Baker Boy headlines NBA House Australia in Melbourne ahead of DJANDJAY Deluxe

Baker Boy and the NBA, an unlikely but fitting pairing

Baker Boy headlined the second night of NBA House Australia on Friday, May 15, closing out the evening session at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne. The Northern Territory rapper and dancer, whose real name is Danzal Baker, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. as part of what Billboard described as one of the more unexpected but fitting intersections of Australian music and American basketball culture in recent memory.

The event is the NBA's inaugural Australian fan experience, running across four days from May 14 to 17 at the Port Melbourne venue. The 6,000-square-metre space hosts playoff viewing parties, basketball challenges, an NBA 2K26 gaming zone, streetwear showcases, and photo opportunities with the Larry O'Brien Trophy. NBA players including four-time All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale made appearances on Friday, with Cousins hosting fan sessions and the Sacramento Kings Dance Team and Dunk Team performing throughout the day.

A strong moment for Baker Boy

The gig comes during a busy 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 a new track called "CURSE" in his live sets ahead of a forthcoming deluxe edition of the album, due later this year via Island Records and 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."

"CURSE" was written and produced in Melbourne by Baker Boy alongside Pip Norman (known for work with Troye Sivan and Missy Higgins) and Rob Amoruso (G Flip, Thelma Plum). The track also features Toronto-based producer WondaGurl (Rihanna, Travis Scott, SZA), who joined the sessions as part of the inaugural ARIA Collab Initiative.

The weekend lineup

NBA House Australia's weekend headliners are All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and DeMarcus Cousins, appearing across the event for meet-and-greets and fan 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."