3% Are Back With Soulful Single ‘These Days’
Catch the lads performing a free concert at the Tarnanthi Festival today.
Image Roman Jody
Multi-award-winning First Nations rap trio 3% are back with soulful new single, ‘These Days’.
Released via Believe, the single follows the group’s critically acclaimed 2024 debut album KILL THE DEAD, which Rolling Stone called “a stellar debut album of visceral rap.”
‘These Days’ is a punchy rap track with a soulful vibe that allows space for Dallas Wood and Nooky’s smooth flow and Angus’ crystalline choruses.
“Every now and then I take a trip down memory lane to remind myself where I'm from and how far I've come. Reminiscing is a superpower tool to draw inspiration from and also keep me grounded,” says Wood. “I haven't been home in a while and conversations over the phone with my closest people really set the tone for my verse thinking back to a simpler time when the weekend was more than just days but a way of life. I know everyone in Wyndham will understand the image I painted.”
Angus adds,“‘These Days’ is a reminder of a time when the only worry you had was to get home before the street lights came on. Simple days, good friends and leaving the world to wait until you grow older, ‘These Days’ is a story of our generation growing up through the ‘90s and 2000s. When the equivalent of a mobile phone was a Nintendo DS and your most prized possessions was a Mongoose BMX and new pair of Wave Zone boardies.”
“For me ‘These Days’ reminds me of when I was younger,” ecplains Nooky. “I go back to riding my KX around West Nowra and jumping off the Flat Rock Dam Bridge. It’s me and my good friend Pauly D flying around on Thumpstars with red, blue lights blaring behind us. It’s $2 Tuesday down at Nowra Blockbuster, it’s buying $2 worth of chips at IGA while stealing blocks of chocolate. If we wasn’t out lapping the streets of Nowra then it was Tekken and GTA on the PlayStation. Back then me and the cuzos made our own fun.
”Sometimes that fun got us into a little trouble but our bond grew stronger each time. It was all for one and one for all. We was rocking World Industries and punching on over Pokémon cards. This song is for anyone who ever used Windex to fix a scratched up and dirty disk in hopes that you make it past the load screen.”
‘These Days’ is accompanied by a music video directed by Nick Rae with cinematography by Johnathon Karalis. Shot at Clem’s Chicken Shop in Sydney, the track finds Nooky reflecting on his struggles and the local community that helped shape his journey.
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It’s been a huge 18 months for 3%, who have established themselves as one of the country’s most thrilling and important acts.
Last year saw the trio drop their critically acclaimed debut album KILL THE DEAD, which earned four ARIA Award nominations, taking home wins for Best Hip Hop/Rap Release and Best Cover Art, alongside nods at the J Awards, AIR Awards and a Song of the Year win at the NIMAs for “OUR PEOPLE” ft. The Presets.
2025 has seen the release of the inspiring single ‘Our Greats’ and vulnerable track ‘Running Through My Head’ ft. Sarah Wolfe, along with 3% receiving an incredible four nominations at the National Indigenous Music Awards.
As the year winds down, ‘These Days’ represents the next evolution in the group as they work towards the release of their sophomore album.
‘These Days’ by 3% is out now via Believe. Catch them at Tarnanthi Festival tonight, Thursday 16 October. Entry is free.
3% 2025 Tour Dates
Thursday 16 October – Tarnanthi Festival, Tarntanya/Adelaide, SA
Saturday 18 October – Dream Aloud Festival, Gimuy/Cairns, QLD
Saturday 15 November – National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Sport Awards, Magandjin/Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 22 November – Giiyong Festival, Jigamy, Thaua Country/Eden, NSW
Saturday 29 November – Rolling Sets, Bundjalung Country/Tweed Heads, NSW
Saturday 6 December – Rolling Sets, Darkinjung Country/Central Coast, NSW
