Multi-award-winning First Nations collective 3% are back with a new thought-provoking single, delving into the true history of a Welcome to Country and the cascade of ironies that it carries within today’s context.
Out today (April 10th) via Believe, “Welcome 2 Country” sees Nooky and Dallas’ piercing rap flows dissect the discourse and facades of contemporary cultural ‘honourings’, setting the record straight on what bubbles beneath the surface. The song staunchly reminds us of the true history and traditions of this country, showcasing 3% at their roots.
Propelled by DnB-like drums and gritty production, “Welcome 2 Country” is flourished with gospel harmonies and a crooning, souled out chorus from guest vocalist, Darumbal and Tongan woman Mi-kaisha.
Accompanying the track is a striking artwork composed by Aaron Kennedy, a proud Jerrinja and Djirringanj, Yuin man and a music video directed by Henry Smith and Ryan Haire.
Check it out below.
“As a Noongar man that has the privilege to travel with my profession, I understand the importance of acknowledging and paying respects to the many different lands I work on so seeing small minded people feel so attacked and hurt by something like a Welcome to Country is confronting especially when you make the mistake of checking the comment section on social media apps,” Dallas said.
“Racism is alive and well and true to my spirit, I will always talk my truth. No matter where you stand on this continent, you stand on stolen land. The truth hurts so that’s why they stay triggered – still a lot of work to do.”
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
Nooky added: “‘Welcome 2 Country’ does not mean welcome to Australia. It’s much deeper than that. It hurts to see my people be so open by welcoming the colonisers to share in the land we all live on today and be met with such hate and ignorance. We put that feeling in the song, this track is a stand against that. It’s us saying they will not erase this cultural practice which existed long before the borders of states and territories that we know today. ”
The song follows a number of releases last year, each standing apart in sound yet remaining cohesive. The collection included the warm nostalgia of “These Days”, the high-octane, blisteringly vulnerable “Running Through My Head” ft. Sarah Wolfe, the ever-inspiring “Our Greats”, and their first country-inspired single “Betterman”.
3% took home the Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement at the 2025 ARIA Awards for “Our Greats”, in collaboration with Fox League, which was used during the NRL’s Indigenous Round. The song landed at No. 23 on the Shazam charts and received nominations in two categories for the inaugural NSW Music Prize.
3%’s “Welcome 2 Country” is out now.
