Double J Gears Up For Launch, Plays Protest Song On Repeat

In gearing up for its inaugural launch at midday tomorrow, triple j‘s rebranded digital radio station, Double J, has payed homage to its past by playing different versions of the same song, NWA‘s Express Yourself, back-to-back since midday Monday.

The stunt is a tribute to a day in 1989 when triple j presenters went on strike and played Express Yourself for 24 hours straight, after the LA rap group’s rabble-rousing song Fuck Tha Police was removed from its playlist by orders from ABC management, following a directive from Parliament.

In the years since, as a reference to that incident, a scratch from Fuck Tha Police has been melded into triple j’s news sting. As well as the NWA version, Double J is currently playing the original 1970 song by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, as well as covers by such acts as The Audreys, Darren Hanlon and Jack Johnson.

The song loop will end at midday on Wednesday when when Double J officially begins programming and former triple j presenter and Spicks and Specks team captain Myf Warhurst announces the names of five other presenters who will join her at the new station.

The station’s new name is a nod to triple j’s original handle “Double Jay” and is emblematic of the new station’s directive – focussing on new music, while celebrating the iconic tunes of the past. Speculation now surrounds what song the station will play up first, with Warhurst telling FasterLouder it will be an Australian tune.

Back in January 1975, the original station kicked off its launch onto national airwaves, provoking censors and conservative listeners by playing a song banned by commercial radio networks as its very first choice, SkyhooksYou Just Like Me Cos I’m Good in Bed.

Watch: NWA – Express Yourself

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