weekend edition – @skopemag news for june 23, 2019 @ 8 am est

ED SHEERAN UNVEILS OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR ‘CROSS ME’ (FEAT. CHANCE THE RAPPER AND PNB ROCK)

Directed by Ryan Staake and shot in a motion capture studio with a contemporary dancer, the official video features 3D animations of Ed Sheeran, Chance the Rapper and PnB Rock twisting in and out of multiple virtual realities.

DETACH THE ISLANDS: No Echo Premieres “Reset Yourself To Zero

The Burden To Become Fact was written and produced by DETACH THE ISLANDS mastermind Emmett Ceglia, with additional lyrics on “Culture Architects” by Dan Kelly. The bass and drums were recorded by Dominic Nastasi at Vudu Studios, the guitars recorded by Siddhu Anandalingam at Si Doux Studios, and the vocals recorded by Emmett Ceglia at Dental Records HQ. The record was mixed by Ceglia at Dental Records HQ, mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, and completed with artwork by Ceglia.

Sac-Town Firebrand Shootergang Kony Connects With Sada Baby For “SFTR”

Praised by The FADER as “the most promising young rapper from the California capital,” Sacramento teenager ShooterGang Kony effortlessly mixes party and pathos. Swapping bars with Sada Baby atop a glistening mob instrumental courtesy of The Architekz, Kony shares “Shoot Front The Reverend,” his new single. Further proving the synergy between Detroit and Northern California, the track finds the two rappers colorfully demolishing their rivals, alternating declarative statements with tumbling fonts of syllables: “Fourteen bad hoes all up in my section/I ain’t even old enough, I still got choppa in possession/40 got a body on it, I’m just tryna show progression/If they catch me at church, I’m gon’ shoot front the reverend,” rhymes Kony. Premiered by HYPEBEAST, “Shoot Front The Reverend” is a testament to the 17-year-old’s rap prowess, as his violent and colorful verse stands on equal footing with Sada Baby’s typically animated appearance. “Shoot Front The Reverend” is the latest single from Second Hand Smoke, Kony’s upcoming project.

Hey ICYMI: DOT (prod. SZA, Teri GenderBender) Releases “Higher Higher,” new mixtape due 6/28

“Higher Higher” is a cut from her upcoming mixtape, ‘Atomic Age,’ due June 28th. A blend of field recordings, digitally synthesized sounds, live instruments, and meticulously-layered vocals, Ellwanger revels in a multi-layered composition featuring her own vocals and production that creates an otherworldly three-minute listen. “Over the past two years, I downsized a lot of my physical belongings, and have been making music from a backpack-sized recording setup while traveling around the US, Canada, Europe, and North Africa,” explains Ellwanger.

NEW MUSIC: RUBI ROSE – “BIG MOUTH” (AUDIO x DJ PACK)

Tongan Songstress Analea Brown Drops New Music Video “Lie to Me”!

“Every soulful note she hits soars…Analea Brown is certainly ready to step into the spotlight as a reggae-pop queen. Breezy “Lie to Me” shows how brightly she can shine.” – PopMatters

Blossoms Return With “Your Girlfriend”

Today, one of Britain’s biggest bands, Blossoms, have revealed their brand new single and official music video for “Your Girlfriend,” as well as an accompanying B-side track titled “Torn Up.” Produced by James Skelly, Rich Turvey and the band at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, The Talking Heads-inspired single comes ahead of their biggest headline show to date at Edgeley Park Stadium in the U.K.

Megan Thee Stallion inducted into XXL’s 2019 Freshman Class  

Today, Megan Thee Stallion is inducted into the coveted XXL Freshman Class. Following the success of her Billboard Hot 100 single, “Big Ole Freak,” and latest project Fever (1501 Certified/300 Entertainment), Megan landed the cover of XXL’s Freshman issue, on stands July 16th. Thee Stallion’s freestyle and Freshman profile goes live Tues., July 9. She will also be playing the XXL Freshman show at New York City’s PlayStation Theater on Mon., July 22 and the Los Angeles show on Thurs., July 25 at The Novo.

LA art-rock band Fell Runner shares ‘Talking’ LP in full with Atwood Magazine

“such rhythmic tones and layers upon layers of vocal harmonies in the mix, you can’t help but be on your toes.” – Grimy Goods

Gethen Jenkins Brings Traditional Honkytonk Brings Sound with Debut Album, ‘Western Gold,’ Out July 26th

The Country music scene has its eye on singer-songwriter Gethen Jenkins as the next up-and-coming Outlaw Country artist with the release of his debut album, Western Gold, via RED MUSIC/Five Music, Friday, July 26. The former U.S. Marine who served for eight years during Operation Iraqi Freedom, exclusively premiered his debut single “Bottle In My Hand” on Billboard, catching the attention of the music industry with his captivating story: “I made a promise to myself when I went overseas with a bunch of people from my platoon,” shared with Billboard, “we promised that we were gonna give music a shot when we got back…So we did.

SOCA GOLD 2019 CELEBRATES WOMEN

Summer after summer, VP’s Soca Gold compilation has long been the premiere platform for curating the very best songs of the genre. In tandem, It’s iconic album art, featuring tropical motifs and vibrant mesmerizing hues, have become a hallmark of Soca culture and the muses that inspire it. While capturing the narrative of Caribbean people through Soca music and stunning imagery, VP’s Soca Gold continues to influence & curate the sounds of soca-reggae. When asked to develop a concept for Soca Gold 2019, artistic director and CCO Stephanie Chin – granddaughter to VP’s co-founder and reggae pioneer, Patricia Chin – had only one word in mind: “Women”.

Soca Gold 2019 to be Released in June- Release will mark Partnerships with RJR Group and FIT BK

Eleni Mandell Launches Northeast Tour; ‘Wake Up Again’ Out Now

On June 24, critically praised Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Eleni Mandell will launch a Northeast tour in support of her just-released 11th studio album, Wake Up Again. With stops in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City, Mandell will make her debut at JazzFest in Montreal July 3.

Lewis Capaldi’s Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent is No. 1 on the UK Album Chart for the Fourth Week

Lewis Capaldi’s debut album Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent has now topped the UK official album chart for four consecutive weeks, making it the first debut album of 2019 to spend four weeks at #1 in the last five years and the fastest selling UK debut of 2019. The album has over one million global adjusted sales and amassed over 1.2 billion combined streams worldwide.

Fredo Bang Silences Haters With His Whip in “Shoot” Video

“With the 2015 arrest that threatened to derail his rising career now decidedly in the rearview, Fredo is back with a newfound sense of purpose: more viral, more hardworking, and more determined to advance than ever before.” – The FADER

French progressive-rock/ambient-metal trio Fields of Næcluda shared new song

A few weeks after a first audio glance “Make You Blind”, French progressive-rock/ambient-metal trio Fields of Næcluda just shared another exceprt from its upcoming debut self-titled album with the song “Sea Of Clouds” available right now on Bandcamp.

WHOHURTYOU SIGN TO FUELED BY RAMEN AND RELEASE DEBUT SINGLE/MUSIC VIDEO “WISH WE NEVER MET”

All Time Low guitarist Jack Barakat and singer/songwriter Kevin Fisher aka Sweet Talker have announced their new project WhoHurtYou. In an exclusive interview with Billboard the duo confirmed they had signed to Fueled By Ramen and shared their debut single “Wish We Never Met” alongside an accompanying music video. “Wish We Never Met” is available to stream and download now.

Lil Baby shares new song “Out The Mud” feat. Future

Hot off the heels of “Close Friends” going #1 at urban radio and being RIAA certified double-platinum, today Lil Baby releases “Out The Mud (Feat. Future)” on Quality Control Music / Wolf Pack Global / Motown.

SUPERSTITION: The Anatomy Of Unholy Transformation LP

20 Buck Spin presents The Anatomy Of Unholy Transformation, the debut album from New Mexico-based death metal entity SUPERSTITION. The haunting yet destructive new album is streaming in its entirety as the label releases the album today.

Osmani Garcia releases “Vuelve con tu Machito”

Cantoautor Cubano Osmani Garcia canta “Vuelve con tu Machito”, un tema de alta energia que encapsula el sentimiento de poder pedir perdon y volver a la persona que tu ama. En un mundo moderno, Osmani no pica palabras, se expresa claramente como solo puede el mismo.

Osmani sigue muy activo en el studio mientra que reorganiza su equipo de trabajo para lanzar un tour Europeo antes de fin de ano. Actualmente soltero, se encuentra viviendo en Los Angeles y preparando nuevas canciones que pronto seran lanzadas.

Ummagma announces July ‘Compass’ LP release, offers dreamy ‘High Day’

Last month UMMAGMA, a Canadian-Ukrainian duo based in Peterborough, Ontario, released their ‘Caravan’ single, which Clash Magazine called ‘a propulsive, bewitching affair,” noting “a visceral edge to the sound that broadens their dreamy shoegaze template”. Now comes ‘Compass’, their first album in 7 years, to be released on July 26 via Manchester-based label Leonard Skully Records (on vinyl, CD and digitally). Today I present you the new single ‘High Day’ from this album (video forthcoming).