triple j have finally issued a response to the growing push to change the date of the annual Hottest 100 countdown. In a statement, the national youth broadcaster has said the Hottest 100 will remain on 26th January for now.
“In 2017, the Hottest 100 will be on January 26,” the station writes. “We’ve been aware of, and have been a part of, the discussions around 26 January for some time. triple j is heavily involved in the growing dialogue around Indigenous recognition and perspectives on 26 January. 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.”
“We want the Hottest 100 to be an inclusive and respectful event for all Australians, including all the incredible Indigenous artists making great Australian music, and the listeners from all cultural backgrounds who love it.”
“As part of this commitment, we’re proud to announce that we’re once again teaming up with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) for the 2016 Hottest 100.”
“Australia Day represents pain and mourning for many Australians, including our first Australians. It also represents immense pride for many Aussies, reflecting on how far we’ve come. The past has been written,” said Jack Manning-Bancroft, Founder and CEO of AIME.
“What I love about triple j and the Hottest 100 is that we have a chance to speak to millions of Australians and provide a platform to shape a narrative for the future filled with colour, joy and love of our difference.”
“It’s a dream to be working with triple j again for the Hottest 100. Last year we raised over $100K, which has catapulted us to be working with over 6,000 Indigenous kids, up from 4,500 the year before. We want to change the way Australia operates and couldn’t think of a better partner to help make that happen than triple j.”
The statement comes in response to a growing number of Australians who believe changing the date of the Hottest 100 would show solidarity with Australia’s Indigenous community.
As Tone Deaf has reported, a swiftly growing movement has emerged that would like to see triple j move the date on which the Hottest 100 is broadcast to a less inflammatory date than Australia Day / Invasion Day, a holiday considered offensive by many Indigenous Australians.
In addition to a rapidly circulating Change.org petition which has amassed almost 3,000 signatures, Facebook user Brendan Busch recently announced he will award a free Falls Festival ticket to anyone who can convince triple j to change the date of the Hottest 100.
Earlier today Pedestrian.tv reported that triple j have had a number of closed-door meetings over the past few weeks, during which the station has consulted with Indigenous artists about potentially moving the date.
According to Pedestrian.tv, one particular meeting on the issue involved all triple j staffers and reportedly got rather heated as members of staff voiced conflicting viewpoints. The story is pretty much the same over on social media.
