3%

It is hard to quantify the individual talents of the three accomplished first nation’s artists who make up 3% - a project which fittingly began on Invasion Day 2022.

Dallas Woods, Angus Field and Nooky initially started 3% as a loose get together in a studio, spurred by their mutual admiration of each other’s craft – but it soon became clear there was a deeper gravitas running through their art.

“I went to the studio to record with Dallas in Castlemaine, January 26th, 2022 and we did a song together and it was mad,” says rap star and Yuin man Nooky.
“We then booked another session and brought Gus in to do a hook. From there it was evident there was energy.

We created 16 songs in two or three months. It was immediate. The energy, the music, the spirit. We all knew we had something.”

Nooky, also host of Triple J’s Blak Out, is the lynchpin for 3%. His own music celebrates Blak excellence (“Black Future”) and tackles issues like Indigenous death in custody (“432-0”) as well as paying tribute to his hometown of Nowra (“Cuzn’Ere Lah”).

Noongar rapper and MC, Dallas Woods, who is credited as the mentor and co-writer behind Baker Boys ARIA winning debut album, Gela, brings his own experiences of growing up in a cycle of poverty and abuse and channels them into the lyrical content of 3% first offerings. Songs like “Our People” which samples the Presets ‘My People’ and tackles the subject matter of black deaths in custody and “Won’t Stop” about closing the gap.

“I’ve proven I can do the money thing and write the pop songs,” says Woods with a nod to his massive Baker Boy success.

“But with this project, I feel like we are the role models for the next generation. The music we are doing has put a huge smile on my face and it is so powerful. We are writing about the issues that are close to us. I can hang my hat on this and say, I am doing my job.”

Gumbaynggirr singer songwriter Angus Field, from Coffs Harbour, is the novice of 3% but his admiration for Woods and Nooks runs deep.

“I’ve looked up to these guys forever. Dallas I’ve followed from the start of his career and Nooks has been a mentor of mine for a long time. Being in a studio with them both is the most magical thing ever. We are killing it.”

Referring to themselves as warriors and talking about their responsibilities as leaders, the trio talk earnestly about ‘punching the audience in the face’ with regards to racial inequality, black family life, depression, anxiety, fatherhood and fighting for their stolen land.

Such is the power of their first bunch of songs and demos – it resulted in overwhelming record label interest before they settled on Virgin.

Nooky talks about their first album being an agent of change and a voice for their people.

“I want this album to drive change in this country – a change that is needed. We take this music and these stories back to our communities. I see this music as potential for real conversation. Everything we do is for our people.”

3% have only just begun but there is so much to do and a lot to prove. Their name a testament to their hard-work ethos.

“All three of us are all very proud First Nations artists and the 3% is just a nod to us around the country, being 3% of the population. The name doesn’t only make a statement, we can take that back and empower that 3%.

We’re not just 3% - we’re 100% blak magic.”