Following a string of singles released over the past year that explored various electronic sounds, including the moody down-tempo ‘Pain’ and the off-kilter ‘Stranger Things’, Sadboy. is back with their most accomplished piece of music yet, ‘Legends’.

Heavily inspired by pop culture, particularly video games and anime, on ‘Legends’ Sadboy. fully leans into these reference points, as he encourages listeners to pick up their controller in an empowered life-affirming nod to being the master of your own destiny. Teaming up once again with collaborator Cassie Hope, her evocative vocals amplify this sense of empowerment, while the stomping beat and warping instrumental, coupled with the bravado of the lyrics, make for a larger than life call to being your best self.

To match the track’s self-reliant attitude, the accompanying video clip was created by Sadboy. - in a hyper-imaginative anime style, the clip shows the journey of a hero, echoing the single’s sense of escapism and overwhelming belief in self. It’s an impressive feat to watch, especially while Cassie sings “legends never die” over Sadboy.’s beat, reminding us that we can take on anything and succeed.

Tying in with the message of the song and making it even more powerful is Sadboy. aka Dut Garang’s own journey, moving to Melbourne from Sudan and living with disability, as the press release that accompanied the announcement of ‘Legends’ details; “At just 22, Dut has lived plenty of lives. Growing up in a cramped household, struggling to make friends at school, and dealing with challenges of living with a disability, some days felt as if it were GAME-OVER.” Knowing his own personal struggles only amplifies the messages of self-belief and assurance that flow so powerfully through ‘Legends’.

To celebrate the release of ‘Legends’, Sadboy. was kind enough to have a quick chat with us.

TJ: Hey Dut, how’s it going? For the uninitiated could you please tell us about your project Sadboy.?

S: I made Sadboy. to express myself and to share my ideas and stories to everyone.

You collaborate with Cassie Hope, can you tell us a bit about that creative relationship?

I meet Cassie in 2018, I was a participant at Interact (Disability Support) and Cassie became my support worker after we found out that we liked music. Every week we make music - she helped me with fitting my lyrics to a melody we made together and then I produce the instrumental.

When I listen to ‘Legends’ it sounds like a really empowered song, what do you feel is the message of the song?

‘Legends’ message is to achieve your goals and never give up.

What inspires you to create music and the visuals that go along with them?

The world of pop culture inspired my music. I was inspired to create ‘Legends’ from the main character from Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki - he was shunned by everyone due to the demon inside him, but Naruto worked hard to gain his village's acknowledgement.

You have a love of video games and this comes out in the visuals, what is it that you love so much about video games?

I love the way video games can teleport you into a different world where you can connect with the stories and characters, leaving our normal world behind.

The press release that accompanied the announcement of ‘Legends’ talks about challenges you’ve faced including coming to Australia from Sudan and living with a disability, has this impacted the music you make and being creative? If yes, how?

Yes, due to that I am drawn to characters that have similar experiences to me so I write songs and stories inspired by them and myself.

What are your future plans for the Sadboy. project?

The future of Sadboy. is to go into comics and animation.