Meet DJANABA // A Smirnoff Seltzer Presented LGBTQIA+ Local Artist Feature
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Presented by the no sugar, OG vodka seltzer baddies themselves, Smirnoff are this month featuring the proudly opinionated and self-described ‘abrasive’, plus-sized bisexual that is Djanaba – a Wiradjuri and Bundjalung woman that writes empowering music for all, as our latest LGBTQIA+ Seltz-Ar-tist of the month!
Yep, the famed vodka favourite, and subsequent masterminds behind the brand new low sugar Spicy Margarita & Watermelon Margarita cocktail inspired vodka seltzers, have decided to use this paid article to instead promote an emerging LGBTQIA+ local music mixing DJ.
It really is big icon energy…which is impressive, given that their new Spicy Margarita & Watermelon Margarita vodka seltzers are only 107 callories per can. An impressive flex if we do say so ourselves.
So next time you’re en route to a big gay gig, having the gals and the gays round for a drink, or meeting a ferociously fabulous someone at the bar, feel free to grab yourself an equally fabulous 7% ABV (1.4 standard drinks per can) Smirnoff Seltzer.
MEET DJANABA
Meeting someone who is so unapologetic about the fact that they are who they are is one of the more refreshing things in life. And that’s exactly how it felt to chat to the powerhouse that is Djanaba.
In fact, one of the first things Djanaba (she/her) says to A Modern Gay’s Guide is, “I’m blak and I don’t give a f*ck.” And you know what? I think we’d all benefit from a lesson or two from her on how to give less f*cks.
The Wiradjuri and Bundjalung artist continues with, “I’ve always known I was queer. I’m very nonconformist, I’m very outwardly opinionated and I’m very abrasive. So my personality – naturally – it often makes people uncomfortable.”
All of this – combined with the fact that Djanaba is, “plus-sized” – means that, “there’s a lot of things about me that people would be uncomfortable about, but instead of being ashamed of those things, I’ve always embraced them,” she says.
Being the bisexual, plus-sized, Indigenous artist that she is, Djanaba explains that her music will always be political. “I don’t think I could write songs without strong messaging behind them,” she says, “because, for me, it’s such a therapeutic art form. It’s such an outlet.”
Djanaba’s Indigenous background, for example, not only provides her with musical inspirations, but also informs much of what she creates. “It’s who I am. It’s a big part of my identity, and it’s a big part of my mental health processes, but it’s also how I interact in society, as well,” she says. “So it’s a part of me in every single way.”
She explains that, growing up, singing and song writing ran in the family, and that she was, “really lucky and privileged to be constantly surrounded by language and song, and to be connected to my culture from a young age.”
As she made her way into the musical world, she explains that her idols were, “a lot of Indigenous people (like Briggs) because I could associate with their experiences and journeys, and because I liked the fact that they were representing a community that was so underrepresented and breaking that mould.”
More recently, however, her inspirations have come from international acts. “I’ve always been a massive fan of rap,” she explains, “and I love how in a lot of rap – like with [Cardi B’s] ‘WAP’ – there’s a lot of talk about women’s bodies and things like that. So I think I’ve taken inspiration from like Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion, because they’re all very confident in their personas.”
This celebration of bodies has made its way into Djanaba’s music, too. “Like when I wrote ‘Big Titties’, at first I was like, ‘this is a great idea,’ and then I realised what could come alongside that, and how important the messaging was. Especially to plus sized women, like our bodies are something that we’re meant to be ashamed of, even if we’re just in our natural form. So, yeah, I try to always preach that I’m a big b*tch and I love that about me.”
To support Djanaba, follow her on Instagram (@iamdjanaba), and stream her music (on your preferred streaming platform).
DJANABA’S QUICK FIVE FAVES
Q. Fave queer venue in Sydney?
A. The Imperial Erskineville
Q. Fave queer event in Sydney?
A. Heaps Gay
Q. Fave Smirnoff Seltzer?
A. Passionfruit
This article was written in (paid) partnership with Smirnoff, an LGBTQIA+ inclusive brand that supports A Modern Gay’s Guide’s free LGBTQIA+ offering.
