Produced during Community Arts Network’s Now Sounds project, Don’t Tell Us is the culmination of a year-long, intensive multi-arts initiative that integrates music, visual arts, hip hop, and video. This project unites young individuals from First Nations and diverse cultural communities. 

In Hedland, 163 young people were guided by artists Optamus, Flewnt, Mubanga Culture, and Shakara Walley to learn skills in beat-making, rap, lyric-writing and dance. 

Thanks also to our Music Video Production team, Amelia Blanco and Andrew McIvor.

This music video is just one remarkable element of this ambitious project. Over three artist residencies, young participants gained confidence in their own abilities, built pride in their cultural heritage, gained a sense of connection and belonging, recognised the value in their home town and developed skills, in some cases not just as artists but also as mentors to others.