3% Announce Debut Album ‘KILL THE DEAD’

3% – the First Nations collective made up of Nooky, Angus Field, and Dallas Woods – has announced the release date of their debut album KILL THE DEAD, which is set to drop on August 9 via 1788 Records and Virgin Music Group.

According to a press release, this album will focus on “the trio’s persistent embrace of vulnerability across fiery hip-hop that packs power in every quick-witted lyrical punch.” We can expect defiance, swagger, 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.”

Speaking on the concept of KILL THE DEAD, Nooky said: “Everything was done to wipe my people off the face of the earth and write us out of history… Our resilience, strength, pride and beauty live on, in spite of all the monstrous acts of crime and war committed against my people… In history’s books, we should be dead. In some of Australia’s eyes, we don’t exist. To a majority of Australia, our voice doesn’t matter, we do not matter. How you gonna kill what’s already dead? You can’t. They can’t.

“The spirit we hold is one with this land, so even when we go, our lineage remembers. The trees, the rocks, the water remember. We are the oldest living, surviving race on earth.”

Woods added, “We never kill the dead because they live on in us. They remain in spirit… So you could never kill the dead, because we're still alive.”

KILL THE DEAD will boast a star-studded tracklist, with features from Jessica Mauboy, Tia Gostelow, Marlon Motlop, Say True God?, Becca Hatch, Moss, The Presets, Isaac Compton and DENNI set to be on the album.

All of these artists and more will be joining 3% during their free set at Vivid Sydney this Friday (June 14), where they’ll be performing KILL THE DEAD in full at Tumbalong Park. 

The album announcement comes after 3%’s release of poignant single Coming Home, which is built around a sample from Royal Telephone – the 1963 hit from Nowra legend Jimmy Little.