Backlash over Dezi Freeman tribute song
Using an artificially generated voice, the song strangely honours the now-deceased fugitive who murdered two police officers.
An AI-generated song honouring the now-deceased, former fugitive, cop-killer Dezi Freeman has been listed on music streaming platforms.
The Ghost of Mount Buffalo was released on Spotify, Apple Music and SoundCloud last year, and has resurfaced following last week's fatal shoot-out with police, after Freeman evaded capture for more than seven months.
Freeman went into hiding after murdering two police officers in Victoria’s High Country in August 2025.
The song's disturbing lyrics read in part:
"Two good cops fell and the papers all lied. Called him a monster while the innocents died.
"They wanted a corpse for the 6 o’clock news. Instead they got smoke and a legend that grew.
"So run, Dezi, run, let the black cockatoos cry. Let them search every cave till the day that they die."
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Song tribute to Dezi Freeman
The Ghost of Mount Buffalo was generated by Queensland man Keith Wilkins, whose user name is "Staying Alive", on Triple J's Unearthed site.
Keith Wilkins' creator profile on Triple J's Unearthed. Image: Triple J
Hi profile reads: "Staying Alive is the voice of modern rebellion — an Australian songwriter and truth-teller blending folk grit, spoken-word fire, and raw protest energy. From acoustic anthems to cinematic storytelling, each track challenges the narratives that keep people silent, sick, or asleep.
"A veteran of life and survival, Keith Wilkins turns hard-earned wisdom into rhythm and rhyme, pushing back against corruption, control, and cultural decay. His mission: awaken hearts, spark courage, and remind the world that freedom still has a soundtrack."
The Herald Sun reports the song has thousands of views - with some viewers leaving supportive comments, calling Freeman a "sovereign citizen".
But overwhelmingly, the commenters accuse the artist - and the music streaming platforms - of "glorifying" a murderer.
“Dezi was no hero, just a murderer who blamed his problems on other people,” is just one example of the disapproval amongst the many negative social media comments.
Freeman was 56 when he fatally shot two officers and injured a third as they attempted to execute a warrant at a property in Porepunkah.
Top image: Dezi Freeman. Image: YouTube
