Thundamentals' 'Got Love' Initiative Returns To Raise Funds For Indigenous Excellence

20 October 2016 | 12:56 pm | Staff Writer

All proceeds from their new single will go towards charitable ends

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After Thundamentals successfully raised $20,000 for Newtown's Asylum Seeker Centre with their first 'Got Love' Initiative last year, the beloved hip hop outfit has announced the program's return in 2016, raising funds for the National Centre Of Indigenous Excellence for its second iteration.

To bolster their efforts, the group will forward on to NCIE all proceeds from sales of their new, bespoke single, Ignorance Is Bliss, as well as new 'Got Love' merch also created especially for this year's initiative, available online and on the group's upcoming Never Say Never tour.

"We are lucky to have had the opportunities to build a career here doing what we love," group member Tuka said in a statement. "We have a platform to be heard, to tell our stories, and I think the 'Got Love' Initiative was partly born out of a desire to support other members of our community in the sharing of their stories."

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Added band-mate Jeswon: "I feel like it is important to stress the fact that we are by no means social justice experts. We are musicians first and foremost, not politicians. But we are also citizens who are passionate about the entirety of our society. We wanted to help support an organisation that is on the front line day in and day out serving the community, in a tangible way."

"We feel like the biggest way we can contribute is to raise additional funds to further support organisations in the programs they are already undertaking," he said. "With that being said, it is our great honour to announce our partnership with the National Centre Of Indigenous Excellence for the 2016 'Got Love' Initiative."

If you'd like to help Thundamentals with building up a stockpile of sweet, sweet cash to hand over to NCIE, you can buy a special 'Got Love' T-shirt or snapback at the Thundamentals webstore or from shows on their tour, or you can name your price on a digital download of Ignorance Is Bliss over at the group's Bandcamp page, with all proceeds being passed on to the non-profit.

"This is a partnership we're really proud of," NCIE's general manager of programs and partnerships, April Long, said in a statement. "The 'Got Love' Initiative funds that are being raised are going to enable 50 young people to jump off the bus, come into the centre and enjoy our after school program where they'll get to do arts and cultural activities, have a healthy dinner and also participate in sporting activities but, more importantly, be connected as a young generation of Indigenous leaders who are going to pave the way for the future of Australia."

The 'Got Love' Initiative began in 2015, inspired by the outfit's song of the same name. Watch a video about the program, with Tuka and Jeswon, below.