Musicans, a TV channel and even one of its own breakfast hosts are among a chorus of criticism over Triple M’s decision hold its own music countdown comp in place of Triple J’s Hottest 100.
Triple M subscribers were recently notified via email that the Southern Cross Austereo-owned radio network would host its own music countdown competition on Australia Day for “all the songs that define Australian music”, dubbing it the “Ozzest 100”.
The move comes after Triple J bowed to public pressure and moved its annual Hottest 100 radio competition from being hosted on Australia Day.
There had been growing protests that holding the event on the 26th was offensive to Aboriginal people who saw Australia Day as a day of invasion.
And it seems many Aussies are pissed off that Triple M has taken advantage of the Hottest 100’s absence on Australia Day with their own version.
Among those calling out Triple M is ARIA award-winning rapper Adam Briggs, who is part Indigenous hip-hop duo AB Original, and was vocal in calling for Triple J’s Hottest 100 to be moved.
Fuck #TripleM :: @TripleMMelb @TripleMSydney Bottom feeding, redneck scum, pandering to white nationalists & racists. Vultures, Fuck em.
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) December 20, 2017
We should ruin #TripleM’s redneck countdown and stick @ABOriginalBAM & @dansultan January 26 right in the middle of their cross burning.
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) December 20, 2017
Hey! Vote for January 26 by @ABOriginalBAM & @dansultan in #TripleM’s Redneck countdown here: https://t.co/XEAolqt8OS :: VOTE NOW!
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) December 20, 2017
Indigenous TV station NITV also voiced its disapproval of Triple M’s Ozzest 100 via Twitter.
“Tune in if you want to hear ‘Back In Black’ 100 times in one day” https://t.co/IfaV8C5mUa
— NITV (@NITV) December 20, 2017
“Way to solidify your status as a bogan radio station for boomers living in the wrong side of history” https://t.co/IfaV8C5mUa
— NITV (@NITV) December 20, 2017
Meanwhile, Triple M breakfast host and comedian Will Anderson (pictured above on the left) was “shocked and disappointed” by the network’s move.
Extremely shocked and disappointed by it all and have made that clear to management yesterday and will continue to hold and prosecute why I don’t think it’s a good idea
— Wil Anderson (@Wil_Anderson) December 20, 2017
Here’s a selection of other tweets denouncing the Ozzest 100:
You just lost me @TripleMMelb. What a low, opportunistic, redneck-hunter of a station you’ve become. Anticipating prime time slots for Mark Latham, Miranda Devine & Milo Yiannopolous in 2018. #TripleM #AustraliaDay https://t.co/pv7pmFo6G0
— Adam Voigt (@adam_voigt) December 20, 2017
#TRIPLEM so fucking disrespectful. I hope all artists on the list withdraw their consent. Show some respect for indigenous Australians on the anniversary of the beginning of the holocaust that was colonisation.
— elo (@sadfeministhoe) December 20, 2017
There’s always money in the racism stand #triplem! pic.twitter.com/Aw9cNZd7KF
— Urthboy (@urthboy) December 20, 2017
Used to enjoy Triple M Cricket. Oh well, back to the ABC. Triple M’s Ozzest 100 is a bogan, racist joke. Bye . #TripleM
— Steve Madden (@Steve_Madden56) December 20, 2017
This is what January 26th symbolises to Indigenous people, a day of grief, mourning & loss and you @TripleMMelb@TripleMSydney just went & made it worse by trying to stop progress. You’re so going to be on the wrong side of history. Absolutely bloody Pathetic. #TripleMpic.twitter.com/6q9HIMobTI
— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) December 20, 2017
However, despite the backlash, Triple M is holding firm on its decision to host the music countdown on Australia Day, with the network’s head of content, Mike Fitzpatrick, issuing the following statement:
“At Triple M, we are avid supporters of Aussie music, and like we do throughout the year and every Australia Day, we will celebrate Aussie artists.”
