Ngarrindjeri Hip hop icon trials has joined Adelaide University's Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music to mentor emerging Aboriginal artists and share the skills behind a career which has helped shape Australian hip hop.

Daniel Rankine (trials), will work directly with CASM students in the studio, teaching songwriting, beat-making, production, performance, arrangement, mixing and mastering.

The appointment comes weeks after Mr Rankine released his long-awaited debut solo album, 'hendle', adding another milestone to a career spanning rap, songwriting, production and instrumental work.

Mr Rankine has played a defining role in Australian hip hop through Funkoars and A.B. Original, and has collaborated with artists including Hilltop Hoods, Paul Kelly, Thelma Plum, Archie Roach, Gurrumul and Mo'Ju.

His work at CASM will focus on leaving practical skills with students and supporting pathways for emerging Aboriginal artists.

"I'm going to be teaching the foundations and fundamentals that got me where I am today," Mr Rankine said.

"How to make beats, how to write songs, how to perform them, how to arrange them, how to mix, master, everything I can do to get my idea across.

"I'm here to make sure those skills get left in the room so everybody can pick them up and make them without me."

Mr Rankine had previously worked with CASM through the Kaurna Songbook collection as a producer and songwriter, building relationships with the centre's studio workers before taking on the new role.

"There have been so many people putting so much of their soul towards CASM. It is an unbelievable opportunity to add mine to the list," he said.

"We'd worked together earlier on the Kaurna Songbook collection that I came in as a producer and songwriter for, so I'd already met a lot of the gang before.

"I developed a really cool rapport with the studio workers."

Mr Rankine said CASM provided more than music training by giving students a place to enter learning and build their future.

"I think they're really important in providing a space where people understand there is an opportunity forward, that there is an entry path, and it doesn't have to end in music," he said.

"It can be something that gets you into an environment of learning and you can take that as far as you wish to take that. CASM has got such a solid foundation that you can jump as high as you want."

CASM co-director, Grayson Rotumah, said Mr Rankine's appointment was significant for the centre and its students.

"CASM is more than a music program. It is a cultural space for our Indigenous community to find out what they're all about in terms of Indigenous heritage, language and music," Mr Rotumah said.

"It's been 15 years since we've had an Indigenous producer in this space, but to have somebody of Daniel's calibre in here to empower our students and take them into other academic industry pathways is incredible."

During his time at CASM, Mr Rankine will continue contributing to the Kaurna Songbook and other community-style projects in corrections and wellbeing spaces.

Founded in 1972, CASM is the oldest and only devoted university-based centre for studies in Australian Indigenous music and remains part of the Elder Conservatorium's legacy.

Adelaide University's Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts dean, Professor Anna Goldsworthy, said Mr Rankine brought professional experience and a strong example for students.

"He brings a great deal of professional experience to the centre, but beyond that I think he's just a marvellous example of what can be done if you follow your passion and you have the necessary drive to really fulfill that dream," Professor Goldsworthy said.

"I think the value of that cannot be underestimated."

Mr Rankine said his priority was to show students what was possible.

"The biggest thing I hope anyone takes away from anything I ever do is that if I can do these things, I promise you, you are capable of far much more. That is the biggest lesson I'm here to teach," Mr Rankine said.

"I've done a lot with very little, and to be able to stand on the shoulders of such an unbelievably important institution, I'm fully confident that everybody will expand upon and make bigger and better things than I was ever capable of doing."