This year’s AFL Grand Final’s pre-game entertainment was watched by 2.4 million people online, and 1.5 million on TV. For local artist Baker Boy, it was the moment his childhood dream became a reality.
The high-pitched opening of legendary hip-hop track Still D.R.E had a unique Australian flavour this weekend.
Snoop Dogg originally collaborated with rapper Dr Dre on the track, but in the version he played in front of 100,022 fans at the MCG, it was an Yolngu indigenous artist known as Baker Boy, and his yidaki didgeridoo that took centre stage.
Snoop and Danzal James Baker, also known as Baker Boy, were a part of a dazzling pre-AFL-grand final show in Melbourne watched by 3.9 million TV viewers and 294,000 people on streaming service 7plus.
The Grand Final, which saw Brisbane run away with a 47-point win over Geelong, followed the 15-minute Snoop Dogg set, and earned a record 4.076 million viewers for Channel Seven.
Baker Boy performed his single Thick Skin during the pre-game entertainment, which was put on by Australia’s Mushroom Group. He then returned to the stage to join Snoop and his marching band.
“Growing up, I listened to Snoop Dogg and all the hip hop artists from that era,” Baker Boy tells Forbes Australia. “The performance was mad and hectic, and a dream come true.”
The Arnhem Land artist grew up on and island of 3,000 people called Millingimbi, around 400 kilometres east of Darwin. Baker’s uncles played Snoop Dogg for him when he was a child.
“They were always blasting Snoop, and this week my uncles and my family called me and said ‘I cannot believe you’re performing with him.'”
The 2019 Young Australian of the Year said he would love to continue collaborating with the California-based hiphop superstar.
“I would 100% love to do music and performances with Snoop. I met the band and the whole crew, and they were so keen to know about the yidaki didgeridoo and the history behind it. They love the sound and said it moved them and felt healing,” says Baker.
Snoop was also joined on stage by Tash Sultana and Jessica Mauboy, while Vera Blue sung the national anthem.
Snoop himself scored two goals during a session at the MCG in the lead up to the big game. During a press conference he said he has seen AFL games over the years, but wasn’t aware of the rules of the game. Its significance to the Australian people however, is well understood by the artist.
“I know its not just a sport, its a way of life. I know what this means to the culture, I’ve been coming to this country for years and I understand what this game is and what it means,” Snoop said during the press conference.
Seven’s 2025 AFL Grand Final by the numbers:
- AFL Grand Final: National reach 6.1 million, national total TV audience 4.08 million, including 969,000 on 7plus Sport.
- AFL Grand Final Post-Match Presentations: National reach 5.5 million, national total TV audience 3.8 million.
- AFL Grand Final Pre-Game Show: National reach 3.9 million, national total TV audience 1.5 million.
- AFL Grand Final Countdown: National reach 1.2 million, national total TV audience 538,000.
- AFL Grand Final Brunch: National reach 1 million, national total TV audience 408,000
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