Indigenous writers, artists and organisations have voiced their disappointment at Triple M’s decision to host its own version of the Hottest 100 on Australia Day.
Adam Briggs, who makes up one half of the Indigenous hip-hop duo, AB Original, called on fans to hijack Triple M’s countdown by voting for his song January 26, which argues for changing the date of Australia Day.
“Fuck up the party before it even starts!” he wrote on Twitter.
Briggs said Triple M’s decision to run the program, titled “Ozzest 100”, pandered to nationalists and racists.
Hey! Vote for January 26 by @ABOriginalBAM & @dansultan in #TripleM’s Redneck countdown here: https://t.co/XEAolqt8OS :: VOTE NOW!
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) December 20, 2017
Other indigenous groups also voiced their disappointment.
Given how tone deaf Triple M are, I’m not looking forward to their selection of songs for this hottest 100 ripoff.
— IndigenousX Pty Ltd (@IndigenousXLtd) December 20, 2017
"Tune in if you want to hear ‘Back In Black’ 100 times in one day" https://t.co/IfaV8C5mUa
— NITV (@NITV) December 20, 2017
Hey, Triple M, how are you going to count down 100 songs when all you play are the exact same 5 songs and friggin ads all the time?
— Celeste Liddle (@Utopiana) December 20, 2017
Triple M’s countdown will focus largely on songs that it says define Australian music.
“So, the taxpayer-funded FM has decided that there’ll be no soundtrack for Australia Day. Let’s face it, that’s usually full of hipsters or kids making music on a Mac,” the national radio station said in a statement on Wednesday.
“At Triple M we’re going to give you what you asked for. The perfect Australia Day soundtrack.”
The move immediately attracted criticism.
Triple M joins media brands intent on profiting from conservative hatred & anger. Not angry just disappointed. pic.twitter.com/jbQUJYZ8tx
— brad esposito (@braddybb) December 20, 2017
Very interesting that just a few short weeks ago @dansultan was interviewed by Mick Molloy on Triple M and they both discussed how great it was @triplej changed the hottest 100 date. I remember being pleasantly surprised by the Triple M segment and Molloys stance. And now this 😑
— Polly Maeve 🐯 (@PollyMaeve) December 20, 2017
Remember Triple M's logo change for Australia Day this year? Next January 26 they launch the "Ozzest 100" to take on those Triple J "hipsters" https://t.co/wQouZkWtNG pic.twitter.com/V3gVdqt6og
— cameron adams (@cameron_adams) December 20, 2017
Triple M. Hypocrites. Not surprised. https://t.co/WmBXgzkSTw
— Julia Zemiro (@julia_zemiro) December 20, 2017
Triple M are hosting their own Hottest 100 on Australia Day. Tune in if you want to hear ‘Back In Black’ 100 times in one day.
— Jimmy Kleiner (@jimmykleiner) December 20, 2017
In all seriousness, way to solidify your status as a bogan radio station for boomers living in the wrong side of history.
Terribly disappointed and that was shared with them officially yesterday and will be continually expressed
— Wil Anderson (@Wil_Anderson) December 20, 2017
Guys, Triple M want you to be blindingly outraged. It’s how the spread the word. Don’t fall for it. Why do we keep falling for it?
— Shannon Molloy (@sleemol) December 20, 2017
Triple M’s decision to run Ozzest 100 follows Triple J’s move to shift the Hottest 100 music countdown from 26 January after a nationwide debate on the date’s historical significance.
In 2018 and 2019 the event will be held on the fourth weekend of January.
Almost 65,000 people voted in Triple J’s nationwide survey, which was prompted by debate over the appropriateness of holding the countdown on a day that marks the beginning of British invasion and colonisation.
According to independent analysis of the responses, 60% voted in favour of changing the date, while 29% said they did not support the change. A second poll of more than 700 18-to-30-year-olds validated the results – 55% said the Hottest 100 should move.
For many Indigenous groups and supporters, Australia Day is largely associated with dispossession and violence.
