A.B. Original unveiled their brand spanking new video for January 26 today as part of their speech at BIGSOUND.
They also dropped the exciting news that they are not only the first official act to be confirmed for the Laneway lineup, but they’ll also act as MCs for the festival.
The video for January 26 features the hip hop duo Briggs & Trials that comprises A. B. Original, as well as guest vocalist and ARIA-award winning artist Dan Sultan.
The clip addresses issues surrounding celebrating Australia day on January 26th for Indigenous Australians. “Australia Day is one symptom of the bigger issues of the racism in Australia,” said A.B. Original in a statement.
“You can address Australia Day, you can address people doing Blackface – but things aren’t going to change until people are willing to have the conversation about the bigger issue of racism.”
A.B. Original also revealed that they’re hugely excited to be playing such a big role at all 5 of the Laneway festivals. “It is dope to be part of Laneway – one of the only national touring festivals around, who’s lineup also sets the tone for the year. It is kind of cool that Laneway recognises us as part of the forefront of where rap music is heading.”
The boys have a debut album coming out in November this year called Reclaim Australia on Hilltop Hood’s label Golden Era and also on Briggs’ very own new indigenous hip hop label Bad Apples Music.
Check the details of A. B. Original tour dates and Laneway festival details below.
UPDATE 14/08/16: The full Laneway 2017 line up has now arrived. You can check it out here.
Watch: A.B. Original – ‘January 26’
A.B. ORIGINAL 2016 Tour
Tickets on sale now.
Thursday, 29th September
Rolling Stone Live Lodge, Workers Club, Melbourne
Tickets: OzTix
Saturday, 5th November
NaranaFEST, Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Grovedale Vic
Tickets: NaranaFest
Laneway Festival 2017
Thursday, 26th January
Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (16+)
Tickets: Official Website
Saturday, 28th January
Footscray Community Arts Centre And The River’s Edge, Melbourne
Tickets: Official Website
Friday, 3rd February
Hart’s Mill, Port Adelaide (16+)
Tickets: Official Website
Saturday, 4th February
Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle
Tickets: Official Website
Sunday, 5th February
Esplanade Reserve and West End, Fremantle
Tickets: Official Website
