Australian rapper, songwriter Jamaica Moana to visit India as part of Pride Month

Award-winning Australian rapper and songwriter Jamaica Moana will visit India this week for a three-city tour, including Delhi, as part of Pride Month, showcasing contemporary creativity while fostering cross-cultural connections through music and storytelling.One of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists, Jamaica, is a “non-binary performer, songwriter and ballroom leader from Sydney, of Maori and Samoan heritage”, and the artist’s work “explores themes of identity, belonging and self-expression, bringing her personal narratives deeply to the global stage,” the Australian High Commission here said in a statement ahead of the visit. Proud of her Maori (Ngapuhi/Tainui) and Samoan heritage, Jamaica’s work sits at the intersection of music, fashion, performance and community, it said.Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in promoting inclusion and equality.“Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate diversity in all its forms and reaffirm our commitment to equality and inclusion,” Green was quoted as saying in the statement issued on Tuesday.“Our contemporary artists reflect the richness of modern Australia, including the strength and visibility of our LGBTQIA+ communities. Jamaica’s work speaks to universal themes of identity, respect and belonging, and strengthens the deep human connections between Australia and India,” he added.The award-winning artist will visit India this week for a three-city tour as part of Pride Month, showcasing contemporary Australian creativity while fostering cross-cultural connections through music and storytelling, the statement said.“Travelling to Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai, Jamaica will participate in an exclusive conversation with internationally acclaimed singer, performer, and actor Sushsant Divgikar (Rani KoHenur), facilitated by High Commissioner Green. She will also perform at Depot48, one of Delhi’s premier independent music venues known for its inclusive and diverse cultural programming.“In Bengaluru, Jamaica will join artist, archivist and writer Mira Brunner from the National Law School of India for a special conversation on queer narratives,” the statement said.For Jamaica, the visit to India represents a “deeply meaningful opportunity” to reach representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community and Indian audiences more broadly, it said.“Music and performance give me a way to understand myself and connect with others; I carry my ancestors, my community and my experiences with me wherever I go,” Jamaica was quoted as saying in the statement.“I’m excited to visit India, share stories, build new connections and learn from the incredible people I meet along the way,” the artist said.