Gordon Koang

Koang was born in the Nile Valley in what is now South Sudan.[4][5] Koang was born blind and had few job options, but a family member introduced him to the Thom in an attempt to help him feel less lonely while his family was at work.[2][6][7] He started his musical career by playing in church in his hometown of Nasir and, in the 1990s, began writing his own music to play in the streets of Juba for crowds.[2][4][8] He became a household name in his country, having released ten albums, touring around the world, and generating a significant following on YouTube.[1]

Koang emigrated to Australia in 2012.[3]

In 2013, he was touring in Canada and returned to find South Sudan in the beginnings of a tribally based civil war. He found his home destroyed and his bank account emptied by looters. As members of the Nuer ethnic group, Koang, his wife, and their children were in danger from members of the Dinka ethnic group, and fled to Uganda. Koang then went to Australia, along with his cousin and fellow musician Paul Biel. They began the Australian asylum process, believing it would be a short process and their families would be able to join them soon. This, however, was not the case.[2][8]

Although Koang and Biel his cousin played live music around Australia, for some time before producing any new music, but then connected with Music in Exile, a non-profit organisation which helped refugee musicians in Australia.[6] They released their eleventh album, Unity, in Australia.[7] It was described as "not only a prayer for reunification with his own family – whom he hopes will be granted permission to join him soon – but also a plea on behalf of refugees everywhere"[8] and that although it touches "upon some of the darkest elements of humanity [it] ultimately points the listener in the direction of hope".[9]

Koang was awarded permanent residency in Australia in August 2019[4] and submitted paperwork to have their families join them.[8]

Koang sings in English, Arabic and Nuer, and plays a traditional Nuer stringed instrument called the tom or thom.[2][6]

His influences range from Mohammed Wardi to Rihanna.[10]

• Music in Exile - Gordon Koang