Walmatjarri and Bunuba hip hop artist Kayps has drawn on his teenage experiences of isolation and pressure to conform for his new single 'SHIPS', featuring Flewnt and JJ Vacant.

The Boorloo-based songwriter and producer created the track while working on his upcoming album 'Bunuba Baby', which was written and recorded over about 18 months with producer Calvin.

Kayps told National Indigenous Times each song was developed in sequence, giving the album a chronological structure and consistent story.

"We actually recorded and wrote every track on this project in order, so it's all felt like chronologically a part of the same story," Kayps said.

"It's going to make sense throughout the DNA of the album."

'SHIPS' emerged as the fourth track in that process, with Kayps and Calvin seeking a grimy boom-bap sound built around heavy drums and swirling synthesisers.

The production led him to reflect on his high school years, when he felt there was little Black representation around him outside his family.

He recalled having no Black teachers or role models at school and feeling pressure to present himself in a way that did not feel natural.

Kayps said the song gave him a chance to examine the experiences that made him recognise those pressures.

"I felt like a lot of the time I was being made to conform to a certain image and a certain way of expressing myself on a day-to-day basis, which I didn't necessarily like," Kayps said.

"I felt out of place with it."

His connection with Flewnt began during his final year of high school, when Kayps took part in a Flewnt Block Party in Perth.

Kayps described the event as a night of Black representation and excellence, which later informed his decision to invite Flewnt and JJ Vacant onto 'SHIPS'.

Their verses added other West Coast perspectives while supporting the track's focus on representation and identity.

The collaboration also reflects the wider themes of 'Bunuba Baby', with Kayps saying the album developed through questions about culture, family and where he fits.

He began the project at 18, soon after finishing high school, and described the writing process as a form of soul-searching.

The songs became journal entries that allowed him to hear his thoughts back and better understand his relationship with culture and identity.

Kayps said creating the album helped him become more comfortable with vulnerability and difficult conversations.

"For me, it's just finding comfortability in being uncomfortable," Kayps said.

"It's being okay with being vulnerable and basically putting yourself in the line of fire for all sorts of personal criticism, but making sure that you still stand on your own two feet and know who you are after all is said and done."

The process was confronting at times, but Kayps said it ultimately became healing and helped him access parts of himself that had previously been difficult to express.

He hopes the album encourages young blokes and other mob to speak with friends, brothers, cousins and Elders about identity, culture and disconnection.

Kayps also wants 'Bunuba Baby' to create pride for his family and community while offering representation he believes has been missing for many years.

The album is intended to help listeners who feel disconnected from culture consider how they could rebuild that connection.

Kayps will also take the album on tour from August to October.

Bunuba Baby Australian tour:

August 27 - Phoenix Central Park, Gadigal Country/Sydney

August 29 - Bar Open, Naarm/Melbourne, co-headlining with Ricky Neil Jr

September 11 - Rosemount Hotel, Boorloo/Perth

September 18 - Six Degrees, Kinjarling/Albany

September 19 - Settlers Tavern, Wooditjup/Margaret River

October 9 - The Roey, Rubibi/Broome

'SHIPS' is available now through streaming platforms.

'Bunuba Baby' is set to be released on August 14 through Bad Apples Music.