“Rap is influential”: Why Kobie Dee is Teaming Up with Mars, Snickers and Milky Way to Promote Sustainability
“I think it's so important that we can continue down this route.”
Proud Gomeroi man, rapper and master storyteller Kobie Dee has teamed up with Mars Wrigley as the Biggest Thing in Wrap in 2023.
The snacks and treats giant’s famous bars — Mars, Snickers and Milky Way — are preparing for their brand-new release featuring kerbside-recyclable paper-based wraps.
In a world first for the company, all chocolate bars made at the Ballarat, Victoria, site will start to transition to new paper-based packaging that can be recycled via traditional kerbside recycling — including your yellow top at-home recycling bin.
The roll-out commences from April as Mars, Snickers and Milky Way become the first chocolate bars in Australia to be wrapped in recyclable paper-based packaging.
As the face of the Biggest Thing in Wrap in 2023, singer-songwriter and rapper Kobie Dee told Rolling Stone Australia that he’s long been passionate about promoting sustainability through his music.
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“As an Aboriginal man, sustainability has been a big part of our culture for thousands of years, so to see this paper-based packaging become a reality is massive because caring for our country is a huge thing for me and my people.”
He added, “I also have great memories as a kid of Mars products — when your Mum packed a Milky Way in your lunchbox, you knew it was going to be a good day!”
Explaining the role recyclability continues to play in the country’s rap culture, the Maroubra-based artist mused, “It’s like when in rap music, artists recycle beats — there’s something exciting about hearing something familiar but also new at the same time, so it’s kind of similar in that sense.”
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Kobie added that it was imperative that other artists take a stand in utilising their own platforms to promote issues like sustainability.
“Rap is very influential on the younger generation, so it’s important as artists we use that platform to spread awareness about sustainability and why we need to care for our country.”
“I talk about these sorts of issues through my own music, because I know it’s reaching a younger audience. For me and my team, advocating for issues that impact First Nations people, young people and communities is an important part of my music, storytelling, advocacy and community work. I feel like it’s very important that we do speak about stuff like this.”
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In conjunction with Dee, Rolling Stone Magazine is also set to celebrate the up-and-coming release of Mars, Snickers and Milky Way’s paper-based wrappers. The publication will pledge its support and say “away with plastic” by launching its first-ever biodegradable magazine wrap.
¨Rolling Stone is such a massive brand, I remember being so excited seeing Tupac and all my favourite rap stars on the cover as a kid,”Kobie reflected.
“To see a brand with so much influence in the music scene bring out a biodegradable wrap and to partner with another massive brand like Mars Wrigley as they launch their paper-based packaging, just shows what’s possible for brands to do when they collaborate and work together.”
He added, “I hope more companies will follow suit because, at the end of the day, it’s for our country and we want it to be here for a long time,” Kobie added.
“I think it’s so important that we can continue down this route.”
Credit: THINKERBELL
The new Mars, Snickers and Milky Way paper-based packed bars will begin rolling out in-store across leading retailers — including Coles, Woolworths and 7-Eleven — from April 2023.
Readers can head to morethanjustawrapper.com.au to find out more.
