The late iconic Gurrumul will make ARIA chart history if his new posthumous LP debuts at #1 on the Albums list this week.
According to midweek figures, the revered songwriter's record, Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow), is on track to debut in the top three and the favourite to finish in top spot. If successful, Gurrumul will become the first artist to produce an Indigenous-language #1 album.
The only threat to the top debut is Ed Sheeran's ÷ (Divide) which is predicted to finish in the top three again.
It comes after a number of Australian artists, including Delta Goodrem, Briggs, John Butler and Sarah Blasko recently reiterated the importance of Gurrumul and his music.
The importance is only exemplified when considering how endangered Indigenous languages are; a 2016 report suggested up to 90% of the world's languages will have disappeared by the end of the century.
"Even though we are very multicultural, just by having English as the dominant language and the language of power in our society, you can get away with what linguists call the monolingual mindset," linguist Greg Dickson told SBS.
"There are not many [countries] that do a worse job! Australia has the worst track record of endangering languages."
Other album debuts this week include Jason Aldean's Rearview Town and Breaking Benjamin's Ember (both top ten), Pentatonix' PTX Presents: Top Pop, Volume 1 (top 20), Confidence Man's Confident Music For Confident People (top 40), the Stranger Things soundtrack and Tinashe's Joyride (both top 50).
Over on the Singles chart, the only artist stopping Drake's God's Plan from clinching its 12th straight week atop the chart is... Drake.
The Canadian rapper's Nice For What is expected to climb into the top three and could challenge for the #1 spot.
You can expect to see new tracks on the list this week from Nicki Minaj with Barbie Tingz (top 30) and Chun-Li (top 50), as well as J Balvin, Cardi B & Bad Bunny's I Like It (top 40) and Amy Shark's I Said Hi (top 50).
A note regarding the use of Gurrumul's name and image: The passing of any Yolngu person is usually accompanied by strict traditional protocols which preclude the use of the deceased’s name. The immediate family of Gurrumul have been clear throughout the grieving process that the contribution he made and continues to make to Australian and Yolngu cultural life should not be forgotten. The family have given permission that following the final funeral ceremony, his name and image may once again be used publicly to ensure that his legacy will continue to inspire both his people and Australians more broadly.
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