{{Use Australian English|date=June 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = Kill the Dead | type = studio | artist = 3% | cover = Kill the Dead by 3%.png | alt = | released = 9 August 2024 | recorded = | studio = | genre = | length = 42:10 | label = * 1788 * Virgin | producer = * Adit Jonce * Encore * Jujo * Nooky * One Above * R.F.P. * Tasker | misc = {{Singles | name = Kill the Dead | type = studio | single1 = Our People | single1date = 17 October 2023 | single2 = Sleezy Steezy Cool | single2date = 5 February 2024 | single3 = Land Back | single3date = 5 April 2024 | single4 = Calling Home | single4date = 14 May 2024 | single5 = Won't Stop | single5date = 5 July 2024 | single6 = Prisoner | single6date = 4 October 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ywOKqD9Bb4|title= 3% - Prisoner (Official Music Video)|website=YouTube|date=3 October 2024|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> }} }}
'''''Kill the Dead''''' is the debut studio album by Australian trio Angus Field, Nooky and Dallas Woods, credited as 3%. The album was announced on 11 June 2024 and performed in full at Vivid Sydney on 14 June 2024, before being released on 9 August 2024.
The song "Our People" won Song of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2024.
At the 2024 ARIA Music Awards, the album won Best Hip Hop/Rap Release and Best Cover Art. 3% were nominated for Best Group and Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist.<ref name="ARIA2024noms">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-26/aria-awards-2024-nominations-royel-otis-kylie-minogue-dom-dolla/104398174|title= ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=26 September 2024|access-date=29 September 2024}}</ref>
At the 2024 J Awards, the album was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varvaris |first=Mary |date=1 November 2024 |title=Amyl And The Sniffers, Speed, Emily Wurramara Lead 2024 J Award Nominees |url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/amyl-and-the-sniffers-speed-emily-wurramara-lead-2024-j-award-nominees/OAmGKi0sLy4/01-11-24 |access-date=1 November 2024 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref> The album was shorted listed for Best LP/EP at the 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards.<ref name="RSAlong25">{{cite web|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rolling-stone-australia-awards-longlist-revealed-73101/|title= 2025 Rolling Stone Australia Awards: Longlist Revealed|publisher=Rolling Stone Australia|date=5 March 2025|access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref>
At the National Indigenous Music Awards 2025 the album was nominated for Album of the Year.<ref name="NIMA2025noms">{{cite web|url= https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/national-indigenous-music-awards-nimas-2025-nominations/105502724 |title= 3%, BARKAA and Emily Wurramara lead the 2025 NIMAs nominations|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date= 7 July 2025|access-date= 9 July 2025 }}</ref>
==Background== The trio's name 3% represents the Australian population that are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/3-per-cent-our-people-drive-interview/102992680|title= Fresh new First Nations hip hop supergroup 3% release debut single 'Our People'|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date= 18 October 2023|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
Dallas Woods explained the album title, saying: "We never kill the dead because they live on in us. They remain in spirit. All the people that they tried to kill – the clans, they couldn't kill, we still exist. We have survived. So you could never kill the dead, because we're still alive. Their spirit will always be alive. They might be no longer here, but they are always here spiritually."<ref name="RSA announce"/><ref name="TD announce"/>
== Artwork == The album's artwork was completed by Aboriginal artist Daniel Boyd and features a recreation of a gesture by Australian rules footballer Nicky Winmar during a match in 1993. 3% said "We chose this image, because that was a moment: when Nicky Winmar stood up against racism and echoed the statement he was Blak and proud. We thought the image resonated so much with what we were doing on the album. ''Kill the Dead'' is 3%s Uncle Nicky moment – we bare our flesh and blood on this record and it is undeniably Blak and proud."<ref name="RSA announce"/><ref name="TD announce">{{cite web|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/35-kill-the-dead-debut-album-announcement/|title= 3% to Celebrate Being "Blak and Proud" on Debut Album 'Kill the Dead'|website=Tone Deaf|date=11 June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
==Release== The album was announced on 11 June 2024 and performed in full at Vivid Sydney on 14 June 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vividsydney.com/event/music/3-presents-kill-the-dead-album-launch-tumbalong-nights|title= 3% presents 'Kill the Dead' Album Launch |website=Vivid Sydney|date=June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="RSA announce"/><ref name="TD announce"/> Across July 2024, there were listening parties across Australia.<ref name="ws"/>
''Kill the Dead'' was released on 9 August 2024.<ref name="RSA announce">{{cite web|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/3-announce-kill-the-dead-debut-album-61394/|title= 3% Announce Debut Album 'Kill the Dead'|website=Rolling Stone Australia|date=11 June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Album ratings | rev1 = ''Rolling Stone Australia'' | rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="RSAR">{{cite web|first=Sosefina|last=Fuamoli|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/3-kill-the-dead-album-review-65557/|title=3% Showcase Blak Excellence at its Finest on Stunning 'Kill the Dead'|date=9 August 2024 |publisher=Rolling Stone Australia|access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> }}
Sosefina Fuamoli from ''Rolling Stone Australia'' gave the album a perfect score, saying, "Although covering weighty themes of reclamation, Indigenous deaths in custody and closing the gap, ''Kill the Dead ''is more than an album that is built on songs and stories of protest. It's also a beautifully celebratory moment for Blak musicians and artists. The arrival of this album is poignant, as the Australian music space is being flooded with the talents of a new generation of Blak excellence."<ref name="RSAR"/>
David James Young from ''NME'' said "''Kill the Dead'' is all-guns-blazing hip-hop that speaks directly and passionately about the issues affecting Aboriginal people in Australia – from institutionalised racism to police brutality." Young called the trio "the most important new voice in Australian hip-hop".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/3-percent-interview-kill-the-dead-nooky-dallas-woods-angus-field-3781929|title= Meet 3%, the most important new voice in Australian hip-hop: "We're not biting our tongues"|website=NME|date=8 August 2024|access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>
== Singles == The trio's debut single "Our People" was released on 17 October 2023. The song samples "My People" and features The Presets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/nooky-dallas-woods-and-angus-field-form-blak-supergroup-3-release-debut-single-feat-the-presets/|title= Nooky, Dallas Woods and Angus Field Form Blak Supergroup 3%, Release Debut Single feat. The Presets|website=Music Feeds|date=October 2023 |access-date= 22 June 2024}}</ref> The song is about Indigenous youth incarceration. The group said "We want for people to understand how our first single speaks to the serious issue of over 400 Black deaths in custody with no convictions. Kids as young as 10 years old locked up in criminal institutions – to be traumatised and damaged by the system, forever."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.10magazine.com.au/articles/ten-questions-with-3|title= Ten Questions with 3%|website=10 Magazine|date= 9 November 2023|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nit.com.au/23-11-2023/8530/3-announces-groundbreaking-prison-tour-spotlighting-indigenous-justice-issues|title=3% Announce Groundbreaking Prison Tour |website=National Indigenous Times|date=23 November 2023|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> The Nick Rae, Brayden Carter, Corey Webster directed music video was nominated for Australian Video of the Year at the 2023 J Awards.<ref name="2023nomsJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/all-the-j-award-nominees-2023/103046248|title=Check out all the nominees for the 2023 J Awards |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 November 2023|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> The song was also nominated for Song of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2024,<ref name="NIMA2024noms">{{cite web|url= https://themusic.com.au/industry/the-kid-laroi-barkaa-lead-national-indigenous-music-awards-nominations/yHR22t3c394/19-07-24 |title= The Kid LAROI & Barkaa Lead National Indigenous Music Awards Nominations |website=The Music|date= 19 July 2024|access-date= 19 July 2024|author= Mary Varvaris }}</ref> and won the award on 9 August 2024.<ref>{{cite web | last=Parkinson | first=(A)manda | title=National Indigenous Music awards 2024: Barkaa wins artist of the year | website=The Guardian | date=10 August 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/aug/10/national-indigenous-music-awards-2024-winner-barkaa-artist-of-the-year | access-date=11 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Charles | first=Bronte | title=Check out the full list of winners of the National Indigenous Music Awards 2024 | website=NITV | date=10 August 2024 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/these-are-the-winners-of-the-national-indigenous-music-awards/dmgh04mr4 | access-date=11 August 2024}}</ref>
"Sleezy Steezy Cool" featuring Tia Gostelow was released on 5 February 2024 as the album's second single. Joseph Guenzler from ''National Indigenous Times'' said "'Sleezy Steezy Cool' blends smooth pop sounds with sharp guitar licks and an incredible performance from Tia Gostelow. Her easygoing vocal hook sets the stage for Nooky, Woods, and Fields to deliver their verses beneath a snappy beat."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nit.com.au/06-02-2024/9644/3-return-with-new-pop-single-sleezy-steezy-cool|title=3% return with new Pop single 'Sleezy, Steezy, Cool'|website=National Indigenous Times|date=6 February 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> Tammy Moir from ''Happy Mag TV'' called the song a "genre-bending blend that seamlessly interweaves pop hooks with sharp guitar licks and a head-nodding beat."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://happymag.tv/3-sleezy-steezy-cool/|title= 3% drop poignant and cheeky rap-pop gem "Sleezy Steezy Cool" featuring Tia Gostelow|website=Happy Mag TV|date=6 February 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
"Land Back" featuring Say True God? and Denni was released on 5 April 2024 as the album's third single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://amrap.org.au/track/3-land-back-feat-say-true-god-denni-land-back-feat-say-true-god-denni|title= Land Back (Feat. Say True God? & DENNI)|website= Am Rap|date=5 April 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
"Calling Home" was released on 14 May 2024. The song samples "Royal Telephone" by Jimmy Little and features Nookys daughter, Calula Webster. Angus Fields said the song is "about mental health, missing your loved ones and wanting to get home".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://purplesneakers.tv/news/3-show-their-rawest-selves-on-poignant-new-single-coming-home/Gj6gDA8OMTA/15-05-24|title=3% Show Their Rawest Selves On Poignant New Single 'Coming Home' |website=Purple Sneakers|date=15 May 2024|access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>
"Won't Stop" featuring Jessica Mauboy was released as the album's fifth single on 5 July 2024. Upon release, Nooky said "For me, the song's a real positive one... I wanted to look into the heart and history that we carry as Blakfellas and acknowledge that there is a lot of pain and trauma that is embedded within our people. But we also wanted to show the strength, perseverance, and resilience that lives in the spirit that we all carry."<ref name="ws">{{cite web|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/3-jessica-mauboy-collaboration-single-wont-stop/|title= 3% Drop Jessica Mauboy Collaboration 'Won't Stop'|website=Tone Deaf|date=5 July 2024|access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref>
*"Prisoner" was released on 4 October 2024 as the sixth single. A video was released a day earlier. == Track listing == {{track listing | headline = ''Kill the Dead'' track listing | extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Kids You Couldn't Kill | writer1 = {{hlist|Angus Field|Corey Webster|Dallas Woods|Miles Devine|William Gunns|Cameron Whipp}} | extra1 = Nooky | length1 = 3:06 | title2 = BNP | writer2 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Julian Jovanovski}} | extra2 = Jujo | length2 = 2:47 | title3 = Land Back | note3 = with Say True God? and Denni | writer3 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Gunns|Nixon Jackson|Jesse Morris|Rory Peckham|Denni Proctor|Max Wonnenberg}} | extra3 = {{hlist|Nooky|R.F.P.|JM{{ref|a|[a]}}|Rizzo{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length3 = 2:42 | title4 = Pay the Rent | writer4 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Thom Crawford|Adit Gauchan|Jonathan Graham|Gunns|Daniel Neurath}} | extra4 = Adit Jonce | length4 = 2:28 | title5 = Invasion | writer5 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Gunns}} | extra5 = Nooky | length5 = 2:50 | title6 = Blak Australia Policy | note6 = with Marlon Motlop | writer6 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Gunns|Chris Selfe}} | extra6 = Encore | length6 = 3:22 | title7 = Prisoner | writer7 = {{hlist|Webster|Woods|Andrew Burford|Tia Gostelow}} | extra7 = One Above | length7 = 2:54 | title8 = Die by the Sword | writer8 = {{hlist|Webster|Woods|Caleb Tasker}} | extra8 = Tasker | length8 = 2:43 | title9 = Lovin' On Me | writer9 = {{hlist|Webster|Woods|Buford|Gostelow}} | extra9 = One Above | length9 = 2:47 | title10 = Sleezy Steezy Cool | note10 = with Tia Gostelow | writer10 = {{hlist|Webster|Woods|Burford|Gostelow}} | extra10 = One Above | length10 = 3:00 | title11 = Coming Home | note11 = featuring Calula Webster | writer11 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Gunns|Robert Iredale|James Saunders|Tasker|Thomas Tycho}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Nooky|Tasker}} | length11 = 3:45 | title12 = Higher | writer12 = {{hlist|Webster|Woods|Burford|Gunns}} | extra12 = One Above | length12 = 2:50 | title13 = Won't Stop | note13 = with Jessica Mauboy | writer13 = {{hlist|Webster|Woods|Danzal Baker|Burford|Madeline Crabtree}} | extra13 = One Above | length13 = 3:01 | title14 = Our People | note14 = featuring the Presets | writer14 = {{hlist|Field|Webster|Woods|Julian Hamilton|Kimberley Moyes|Tasker}} | extra14 = Tasker | length14 = 3:55 | total_length = 42:10 }}
==Personnel== '''3%''' * Angus Field – vocals * Nooky – vocals (all tracks), mixing (track 3) * Dallas Woods – vocals
'''Additional musicians''' * Billy Gunns – drums (tracks 1, 5, 12), synthesizer (1, 3); guitar, sound effects (5); drum programming, strings (6) * Cameron Whipp – bass (track 1) * Miles Devine – bass programming (track 1) * Julian Jovanovski – keyboards, programming (track 2) * Jesse Morris – programming (track 3) * Max Wonnenberg – programming (track 3) * Rory Fraser Peckham – programming (track 3) * Denni – vocals (track 3) * Say True God? – vocals (track 3) * Thom Crawford – guitar (track 4) * Adit Gauchan – programming (track 4) * Jonathan Graham – programming (track 4) * Marlon Motlop – vocals (track 6) * One Above – bass, drums, guitar, percussion, synthesizer (tracks 7, 9, 12, 13); keyboards, organ (9, 12, 13); horn (13) * Andrew Burford – bass, drums, keyboards, organ, percussion, synthesizer (track 10) * Tia Gostelow – vocals (track 10) * Caleb Tasker – bass, guitar (tracks 11, 14); drum programming, keyboards (11) * Calula Webster – vocals (track 11) * Jessica Mauboy – vocals (track 13)
'''Technical''' * Leon Zervos – mastering * Billy Gunns – mixing (all tracks), engineering (1–6, 8, 11, 12) * Encore – engineering (tracks 6, 9) * One Above – engineering (tracks 7, 9, 10, 13) * Tasker – engineering (tracks 8, 14)
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Kill the Dead'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2024-08-19|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=19 August 2024|access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref> | 12 |- ! scope="row"| Australian Hip Hop/R&B Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/hip-hop-r-and-b-albums-chart/2024-08-19|title=ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Albums Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=19 August 2024|access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref> | 2 |}
== References == {{reflist}} {{3% (group)}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2024 albums Category:Virgin Music Group albums Category:ARIA Award–winning albums