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Calls for Triple J’s Hottest 100 to be axed from the station and handed to Kyle and Jackie ‘Billie Eilish doesn’t need the support of Aussie taxpayers’

BBG News

Ben Lee, an independent Australian musician, has proposed that the Triple J’s Hottest 100 should be transferred to the Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Lee suggests that the highly-acclaimed KIIS FM morning radio show, which features Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson as hosts, is more suitable for the diverse range of international artists who participate in the yearly countdown.

Advocating for the traditional format to be an all-Australian Hottest 100, Lee, aged 46, expressed his opinion to the Sydney Morning Herald, stating that commercial radio seems more fitting for this particular chart.

He proposed that the Hottest 100, which is usually managed by Triple J, should be handed over to Kyle and Jackie O, allowing commercial radio to broadcast it on a national scale as a popular mainstream chart phenomenon. Meanwhile, Triple J could focus on being the Australian home for the Hottest 100.

It seems reasonable to me that only Australian residents should be allowed to vote for the Hottest 100 each year, as there are plenty of other global platforms available for promoting international music.

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In a follow-up post on social media, specifically on Instagram, Lee clarified his stance as follows: ‘I’m not advocating for giving them complete control. Instead, I believe it’s more appropriate for commercial radio to manage servicing large, international record labels – that’s their designated role.’

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I believe that the resources allocated to Triple J should primarily be dedicated towards nurturing and amplifying the voices of Australian artists and promoting our unique cultural landscape. While Billie Eilish is a global phenomenon who undeniably thrives without our assistance, the Aussie taxpayer’s contribution could prove instrumental in lifting up homegrown talent on a grander scale.

The musician behind “Catch My Disease” expressed gratitude for Triple J, stating they played a significant role in molding him into an emerging Australian artist. His sentiment stems from his ardent support for the Australian music scene.

Lee received a lot of backing in the comments on his Instagram post, with Ella Hooper, another Australian independent artist, among those offering their support.

She wrote, ‘You’ve initiated an excellent discussion. I believe it’s important and could provide a significant boost to Australian music.’

One of Lee’s followers commented: ‘I’d listen again if the Hottest 100 was only Australian songs.’ 

As a humble member of an Australian indie band, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude. Your advocacy for lesser-known artists truly resonates with us. It means so much that someone as influential as you stands up for those who might not have the same platform or voice.

Indeed, it’s often the case that when I notice a name such as Beyoncé on a playlist, a small piece of me feels a sense of loss. This comment was also shared by another individual.

Alternatively phrased, others strongly objected, with someone expressing it as, ‘Nothing at all should go to Kyle and Jackie O.’

Triple J has reached out to the Australian community in a grand gesture, following two consecutive victories of American artists in the Hottest 100 competition, which seemed to mark the decline in the popularity of the event.

On June 17 voting officially opened for the new poll, ‘The Hottest 100 of Australian Songs’. 

The upcoming countdown event is scheduled for July 26th, and it will strictly adhere to regulations that pay tribute to Triple J’s 50 years on the airwaves, as well as maintaining the ‘local support’ theme that has been a part of the national song competition since 1989.

Songs that meet the criteria should be ones that were already published on or before January 19, 2025, and they need to include a minimum of half (50%) of Australian artists in their composition or performance.

2025 saw the victory of US singer Chappell Roan, following her triumphant declaration with her catchy, sapphic tune “Good Luck Babe!

Third place went to American pop sensation Billie Eilish for her popular song “Birds of a Feather,” and UK artist Lola Young secured the fourth spot with her widely recognized hit, “Messy.

2025 saw only 29 tracks among the Top 100 hits being produced by Australian artists. Notably, Melbourne DJ Dom Dolla made a strong showing on the charts, while the band Amyl and the Sniffers managed to secure several placements.

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2025-07-17 17:49

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