MOUNT Isa Aboriginal hip hop artist Lucky Luke supports an online push to change the date of Triple J’s Hottest 100 Countdown from Australia Day.
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An online petition with 4432 digital signatures urged the Triple J content director and the ABC to campaign the Hottest 100 Countdown to be aired on “a less inflammatory and more inclusive date for First Nations’ Peoples.”
Lucky Luke, whose formal name is Joseph Dargan, was a nominee in last year’s countdown for his song 1 Day.
He listened to the Hottest 100 Countdown to see if he made the list but it was “awkward”.
If he made the countdown he would not be able to celebrate because it would be seen as disrespectful.
January 26 was seen by many Aboriginals as a day commemorating invasion.
“It is disrespectful to our history and our people that fought and died for our country,” he said.
“A lot of non-indigenous people, they don’t get that,” Lucky Luke said.
“They refuse to acknowledge it. That it is a day of sorrow for us.”
He said that if there was a specific tragic date during the holocaust people would take care not to celebrate on that date.
It was a similar sentiment for Aboriginal people who experienced oppression for more than two centuries.
It’s a really big statement, that this country is ready for change.
- Hip hop artist Lucky Luke
It would have been “great” for Triple J to support Aboriginals’ feelings of Australia Day by changing the date of the Hottest 100, although he had not signed the petition.
“It’s a really big statement, that this country is ready for change,” Lucky Luke said.
“Triple J is like an Australian icon. Triple J, Vegemite...for them to be considering it goes to show to a lot of people that ‘hey, it’s a really big issue, it’s time to stop playing ignorant’.
Triple J released a statement on Tuesday saying it would not change the date “for now”.
“We’ve been aware of, and have been a part of the discussions around January 26 for some time.
“This is really important to us.
“We will continue to talk to indigenous communities, artists and our audience about the date for the Hottest 100 in future years.
“In short, it’s under review.”