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Photo taken at Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home, the birthplace of the stolen generation.
Credit: Jack William

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“The trio’s debut album… will go down as one of this year’s best” – Sydney Morning Herald

***** “music that has never been more relevant, or needed” – Rolling Stone Australia

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Today, proud First Nations artists, Nooky, Dallas Woods and Angus Field share their new single as Blak Collective 3%, titled “Won’t Stop” featuring Australian music royalty, and proud KuKu Yalanji and Wakaman woman Jessica Mauboy, via 1788 Records/Virgin Music Group. The track appears on the trio’s debut album KILL THE DEAD which is due for release on August 9, 2024.

Following a performance of their debut record live and in full at VIVID Sydney last month (which will air on triple j’s Live at the Wireless on July 14), the group are ready to share their next single. Starring ARIA double platinum and multiple ARIA-award winning artist and actress, Jessica Mauboy, “Won’t Stop” is energetically lifted to soaring heights as the collaboration enlivens an unstoppable spirit of reaching achievements in the face of longtime sweat and hustle. A sharp piano motif and triumphant horn provides the blueprint for Woods, Nooky and Field to spin verses between a shimmering and belted chorus from Mauboy.

The track’s accompanying video was shot at the Bomaderry Children’s Home, recognised as the birthplace for the Stolen Generation. Filmed in and around the homes that represent decades of painful generational trauma, the video journals the stages of healing that the site now comes to reclaim. Mauboy, Nooky, Woods and Field each perform, as snippets of storytelling with the elders who were taken to Bomaderry as kids bookend the piece to educate those on what Bomaderry represents.

Nooky says on the release: “For me, the song’s a real positive one. It’s about not stopping and continuing on. I wanted to look into the heart and history that we carry as Blakfellas and acknowledge that there is a lot of pain and trauma that is embedded within our people. But we also wanted to show the strength, perseverance and resilience that lives in the spirit that we all carry. The visuals go to a source of pain and trauma and show the strength of our people and how we can still smile, have fun, and move forward in life with strength and pride, no matter the circumstance.”

Ahead of the release of KILL THE DEAD on August 9, 3% are holding a series of launch and listening parties across Eora/Sydney, Naarm/Melbourne and Djadjawurung/Castlemaine. Kicking off with an exclusive collab for NAIDOC Week with butter Sydney – attend the Sunday Sesh Launch in-person on July 7 and be first to sample Nooky’s Meal Pack – fried chicken sando with a traditional twist, damper and honey donut, plus receive a signed poster and presale album download. Running for four weeks, $2 from each meal purchased will go to First Nations Futures.

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The group’s persistent embrace of vulnerability across fiery hip-hop sees packed power in KILL THE DEAD’s many quick-witted lyrical punches. For all the defiance and swagger, there is also humour and introspection. As ever, the album’s connection to mental health, family and country cannot be understated, as 3% uncover, unpick and blow apart the complex journeys they have each walked, and the resounding resilience, strength and pride that blankets a brighter future.

Underscoring the record with the powerful message of ‘Black and Proud’, the album artwork, by contemporary Aboriginal artist Daniel Boyd, weaves the ancient tradition of dot painting into the historic image of AFL player Nicky Winmar. Taking a stand against racism, the iconic photo signifies the resilience and strength of Aboriginal people, and through Dan’s interpretation, encapsulates their deep ongoing spiritual connection to land, culture and their ancestors.

After first stepping into the studio in 2022, the trio spurred by their mutual admiration of each other’s craft and united by their unique and extraordinary talents, have together honed a sound that represents connection in the face of different tribes and countries. Under a name that refers to their people, who make up just 3% of the Australian population, the First Nations collective have unleashed a taste of their music that journeys themes of closing the gap, reclaiming stolen land and Indigenous deaths in Custody.

The trio have released previous singles, “OUR PEOPLE” featuring The Presets, “Sleezy Steezy Cool” featuring Tia Gostelow, and most recently “Coming Home” which featured a re-recorded sample paying homage to Jimmy Little’s “Royal Telephone”. Combined, the songs have received praise from 10 Magazine, ACCLAIM, NME, Rolling Stone Australia and AUD’$, alongside radio support from triple J, Double J, CADA, 2SER, 4ZZZ and FBi Radio just to name a few. All singles received incredibly powerful video treatments, and were named rage Feature Video upon release. Meanwhile, “OUR PEOPLE” directed by Nick Rae and Brayden Fun Films, was nominated for Best Video at triple j’s 2023 J Awards. Fans who’ve been paying attention, will have seen an unreleased taster from KILL THE DEAD featuring Jessica Mauboy, titled “Won’t Stop” become the Supercars 2024 theme song.

First Nations magic took centre stage during AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with 3% performing pre-match for the Dreamtime at the G takeover, to 44,047 live spectators and a broadcast audience exceeding a million. Earlier this year, 3% performed at the 2024 return of Blak Powerhouse on January 26, for the evening program organised by We Are Warriors. This added to the group’s string of live appearances, including a performance at the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks as part of a presentation led by Nooky’s We Are Warriors initiative, ‘Calling Country’. Late last year, Woods, Nooky and Field made their live debut at their SXSW Sydney showcase from The Lord Gladstone, which saw US-based global icon, Chance The Rapper make an impromptu appearance on stage to show his support for the trio. The group went on to embark on their first run of live shows, taking place inside a group of undisclosed Victorian Prisons, before closing out 2023 at ARIA’s Great Southern Nights initiative, with a free show from Parramatta’s Crown Hotel. In March, the trio performed at Treaty Day Out on Wadawurrung Country in Ballarat, held by the First Peoples’ Assembly in recognition of helping connect First Nations people and allies through live music and storytelling – and supported BARKAA on a sold out show from Sydney’s The Lansdowne.

Don’t miss today’s installment in Blak storytelling from 3%, as they team up with Australian icon, Jessica Mauboy for “Won’t Stop” and continue to ready their debut album, KILL THE DEAD ahead of its August 9 release.

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“WON’T STOP” feat. JESSICA MAUBOY
is out today
BUY/STREAM HERE
WATCH HERE

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KILL THE DEAD out August 9 2024 VIA 1788 RECORDS / VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP
PRE-ORDER HERE

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3% – Butter Sydney x Nooky’s Box Set

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AMNPLIFY – DB