A.B. Original have shared their first new music in almost four years, unveiling the single ‘King Billy Cokebottle’ today. Described as a teaser track, it precedes the first official single from their forthcoming record, with the new track set to arrive during Ausmusic Month in November.
As powerful and cutting and ever, the new single sees Yorta Yorta man Briggs and Ngarrindjeri man Trials taking a look at the social landscape of Australia. While the landscape might have changed since the release of A.B. Original’s debut album, Reclaim Australia, in 2016, ‘King Billy Cokebottle’ indicates that the more things change the more they stay the same.
A.B. Original – ‘King Billy Cokebottle’
The pair take aim at the late Australian comedian Louis Beers, who donned blackface to adopt the persona of King Billy Cokebottle in his stand-up performances. A.B. Original had previously referred to King Billy Cokebottle on Twitter, accusing Chris Lilley (who is name-checked in the song) of taking a similar route with his own controversial characters.
“‘King Billy Cokebottle’ drags an ugly side of Australian larrikinism to the table; where the jokes on us,” A.B. Original said in a statement. “We get told to get over it and to fit in with ‘Australian Values’.
“That’s assimilation, and that is essentially asking blackfullas to not exist; don’t ask us to be ‘one of the good ones’. If we have to feel the anxiety and discomfort of living in a country that wishes we weren’t here, so do you.”
A.B. Original are hitting the road with Hilltop Hoods later this month, joining Elsy Wameyo and DJ Eclipse as the support acts for the Hoods’ ‘Show Business’ tour.
Further Reading
Dua Lipa, Crowded House and Sampa the Great Lead New Always Live Program Announcement
A.B. Original’s trials Debuts Solo Project With New Song ‘i’m a f**king wreck’
Adam Briggs Foundation Announces Grants For COVID-Impacted First Nations Artists
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