Overview
Since 1994, the year when Australia first observed January 26 as the national holiday (not a state-based holiday), the choice of this date has continued to divide Australians, given the fact that the day is a Day of Mourning for many Indigenous Australians. The movement to change the date of the national holiday has continued to gather momentum and support in recent years, and NITV's #AlwaysWillBe project has become an important component in the movement. Cue 'Change The Date', a quick-spit rhyme that's both lyrical and political from some of Australia's best hip-hop artists, produced in partnership with NITV.
The single has been released as both an audio track and a 360-degree virtual reality experience, both available for free online, and features Nooky, Birdz, Urthboy of The Herd, Thundamentals, L-Fresh the Lion, Tasman Keith, Ozi Batla, Kaylah Truth, Coda Conduct and Hau of Koolism.
The NITV #AlwaysWillBe initiative focuses on presenting the views of the Indigenous population on January 26, and 'Change The Date' takes aim at the celebration for its insensitivity to how the colonisation of Australia affected the people who were already living here, with lyrics including, "Some say what's in a day/ Some say what's in a name/ Australia Day, Invasion Day/ Homie, that's one in the same."
It's important to note that the song does not come across as a message of aggression or condemnation, but more of a call for unity and understanding. While the discussion of an inclusive and respectful celebration of our nation has attracted what Fremantle City Councillor Sam Wainwright has called a "happy-clappy nationalist and racist narrative", the song itself takes the approach that only a message of consideration and unity will bring the country together over this divisive issue. Rather than espouse a vitriolic stance towards the backlash that is all too common when this issue is on the table, the song ends with Hau's rhyme that, "I know this will come at a price/ but it's only a small sacrifice/ as soon as the others open their hearts and open their eyes/ we will rise up."
Turn it up:
