‘Times have changed, bro’: The reality of life as a touring musician

Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects we’re told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics they’re given. This week, he talks to Briggs. The ARIA, Triple J and APRA award-winning rapper and hip-hop artist, 39, is a Yorta Yorta man. He’s also known for his screenwriting, acting, kids’ books, record label and charity work through the Adam Briggs Foundation.

SEX

When I say sex, what’s the first thing that comes into your mind? The first thing that comes into my mind is, “Don’t say anything that’s going to get you in trouble.” [Laughs]

[Laughs] You sound like a man who’s learnt an important lesson somewhere. I’m a private dude; I don’t kiss and tell.

Many people’s perceptions of musicians is that sex is a constant possibility. What’s the reality? Times have changed, bro; you’re not back at the hotel with a harem. The life we live as musicians is stage, backstage, hotel, then plane. It’s a job.

And none of those places sound that sexy ... No. Once people get a peek behind the curtain, they see it’s just a bunch of dudes standing around looking into their phones.

What would you tell young Adam Briggs about sex and relationships? Be more self-aware, more open, more chill. I grew up on punk rock, and Blink-182 was telling me, “You need a girl that you can train.”

Gee, that’s messed-up. Yeah, everyone bashes hip-hop all the time – it’s an easy target – but that stuff was in every genre. So I’d go back and say, “You don’t need a girl you can train: you need to train yourself.” Train yourself to be a good person, bro.

BODIES

Did you feel attractive growing up? I never thought about it, to be honest.

You’ve been on the cover of men’s magazines like GQ several times now … Yeah, but I’m an acquired taste.

You think? [Laughs] I remember someone saying, “I’ve seen you on this dating app.” I was not on that dating app, so I was like, “Wow, that’s a real niche catfish.” But I was into punk rock and hip-hop, so I didn’t aspire to be jacked. Punk rock was wiry, dusty and crusty and hip-hop was about mean-looking dudes.

How many tattoos do you have now? I don’t count ’em. They’re kind of just … one now. They’re on my chest, back, most of both my legs.

Which was the first? The [words] “Yorta Yorta” on my forearms.

Do you have a favourite? Probably this Conan O’Brien one [shows left ankle].

Wait, did Conan draw this cartoon of himself on you? Yeah.

And you tattooed over the drawing? Yeah! It’s real simple and it’s a great story.

When do you feel most comfortable in your skin? Sitting on my couch.

And when do you not? Going to a party with your mate – when the host is his mate, not yours.

Which superpower do you wish you had? If I could fly, people would always be getting me to fly them somewhere, and I’d probably end up working for Amazon [delivering packages]. And I don’t want to read people’s minds: I don’t want to know what you’re thinking. But I’d like the ability to know all languages.

How has your relationship with your body changed over time? My health goes up and down; touring really takes a toll. There’s nothing more sobering than being sick and having to do all the things you need to do. So I take my health seriously. I box at least three times a week. I lift heavy things. I hate doing cardio – it’s punishing – but I try to stay on top of my stuff. I’m Indigenous – so that’s against me – and now I’m also pushing 40. I’ve watched too many of my cousins drop dead around this age.

DEATH

How do you reflect on the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians? Subconsciously, I think I processed it as a kid and now apply it to my life. It’s there in the choices I’ve made and the things that I’ve done. There’s a lot of death in Indigenous communities. As an Aboriginal kid, you go to a lot of funerals. I remember it being really confronting at first, then you kind of get … not desensitised to it, but you have a different understanding of death.

What losses have cut deepest? My dad’s mum – my nan – was the matriarch of the family and my true north. Losing her was huge. [Musician] Dr G. Yunupingu was a heavy one.

What was your relationship with him? He was a mate. People thought he was this f---ing mythical being, but he was a f---ing funny c--- and a cheeky little boy. A dude like G: it’s like, you’re not going to get another one of those. But I’m glad I got to be friends with this person. I’m going to remember him as a really funny, naughty boy.

Is there anything you want to do before you die? I don’t want to do anything more than what I’m already doing. I was just a kid who wanted to do everything. I didn’t want to be bored, man. Now I find different ways to tell my story because that’s how I’ve made sense of my world.

What’s going on the tombstone? “Come down here and say it.”

Big Noter, Briggs’ new project, will be supporting Suicidal Tendencies in Melbourne (November 7) and Sydney (November 14).

diceytopics@goodweekend.com.au

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.