BMAA presents: Sound Session (Sydney 2026)
Description
Black Music Alliance Australia is bringing Sound Session back to Sydney.
Hosted by Faustina ‘FUZZY’ Agolley, join us on Friday 21 August at The Red Rattler Theatre for a night of live music, community, and connection, spotlighting exciting emerging and mid-level talent from the African diaspora community.
Serving food by Goodies Jamaican Patties
Taking the stage are Malaika Mfalme, Yibby, Arig, and Narakel, bringing their sounds to the stage for a live showcase and the opportunity to connect with audiences beyond the music.
But Sound Session is more than just a gig. Come through to discover new artists, meet creatives, connect with industry and build community in a space made for sharing, listening and connecting.
Live performances. Industry networking. Community connection. New music to discover.
Date: Friday 21 August 2026
Venue: The Red Rattler Theatre, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville NSW 2204
Whether you're an artist, industry professional, music lover, or simply looking for your next favourite artist, come through and be part of the session.
See you at Sound Session Sydney.
Lineup
Faustina ‘FUZZY’ Agolley
Faustina Agolley, affectionally called Fuzzy, has enjoyed a career of over 15 years across Broadcast Television, Music, DJing, Writing, and Theatre. She's a proud Black and Asian gay Australian of Ghanaian and Chinese-Malaysian heritage. Faustina began her career interviewing Australian artists such Jessica Maouboy, Sneaky Sound System, Matt Corby, Lisa Mitchell, her idols like Alicia Key, Kelly Rowland to then icons-in-the making like Adele, M.I.A., Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga while bringing joy to Australian homes on Video Hits. She's also co-hosted The Voice and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. She openly speaks and writes about queer matters, queer life and overcoming her own mental health struggles for Women of Letters, ABC, Netflix Pause, and Huffington Post. She was personally chosen by the Harpo team to be Oprah Winfrey's touring DJ across Oprah's tour of Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand and can verify that Oprah gives some of the best hugs ever. Since early 2021 Faustina has embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, founding a haircare brand for textured hair that will launch in Australia, New Zealand and the US from 2026.
Malaika Mfalme
Somewhere between Tracy Chapman and a choir sung under open skies, sits the music of Malaika Mfalme. In their mother tongue, Swahili, their name translates to “Angel King.” Born in London and raised across continents, the Tanzanian/Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist now creates on Gadigal Land, making music that feels both deeply intimate and quietly enormous. Rooted in folk, soul, and East African traditions of harmony and storytelling, their songs wander through tenderness, grief, longing, and the beauty of being changed through love. Following the release of their acclaimed debut album “Yasmin” in 2023, a deeply personal body of work exploring the loss of their partner, love, and healing, Malaika quietly built a reputation as one of Australia’s most emotionally resonant live performers. Known for immersive shows rich with layered harmonies, looping, and storytelling, they have performed over 500 live shows, shared stages with artists including Ben Lee, Nadia Reid, Alex the Astronaut, and Alter Boy, and appeared at major events including the Victoria Street Party, Sydney World Pride, and Rising Tide Festival. In 2025, Malaika embarked on their sold-out national Unfurling tour, bringing audiences together across Naarm, Gadigal, Mulubinba, and Ngunnawal and beyond for performances that felt less like concerts and more like collective remembering. Perhaps fitting for someone named Mfalme (king) their work extends beyond performance, creating spaces that feel expansive, tender, and deeply human.
Yibby
Born in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia and raised in Sydney, YIBBY is an Ethiopian-Australian rapper who blends diverse old school influences with modern underground style.
Arig
ARIG is an Eritrean-Australian artist blending R&B, hip-hop and pop with sharp lyricism, commanding vocals and an unmistakable point of view. Born in Sudan, raised in Australia and now based in Sydney, she transforms identity, power, desire and lived experience into bold, emotionally charged music. Her work has received support from triple j Unearthed, FBi Radio, rage, Acclaim and Music Feeds, establishing ARIG as a fearless and distinctive voice within Australia’s evolving music landscape.
Narakel
Narakel is a Southwest Sydney artist and composer of Nigerian descent, driving avant-garde expression and innovation through a distinctly countercultural lens. Drawing from punk ideologies and dark surrealism, their work embraces unflinching honesty, confronting the familiar and distorting it into something raw, strange and entirely their own. DTLV LA ETERNIDAD.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
