@skopemag news – weekend – november 15, 2020 @ 2 pm est

@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope

NIGERIAN STAR OMAH LAY TAPS 6LACK FOR “DAMN,” ‘WHAT HAVE WE DONE’ EP ARRIVING 11/20

Today, Nigerian Afro-fusion star Omah Lay returns with the silky, simmering track “Damn” featuring Atlanta hitmaker 6LACK. The rapper’s verse slips and slides over the low-lit instrumental, underlining Omah Lay’s knack for mixing up cutting edge R&B signifiers with the infectious melodies and impeccable style heard in his homebase, Lagos. With this song, Omah Lay is also sharing the news of a new EP called What Have We Done, which he’ll release November 20th on Sire Records.

Possible seizure warning for The Middle Room’s pop punk music video

Pittsburgh’s The Middle Room has released their debut EP Never Satisfied, featuring the single “Hold That Thought,” along with a music video for the track that premiered with Alternative Press. The quartet’s offering is a jagged mixture of early 2000’s pop-punk and raw, close-to-home lyrics, reminiscent of your lonely emo days.

“We wrote the record at the end of last year and planned to track it in March, but Covid threw a wrench into things, so we just continued writing.” says vocalist Johnny Dombeck. “After the first wave, our producer, Luke Oxendale, traveled up north from Tennesse and stayed with us in Pennsylvania to track the EP. We got really close during recording. We’re pretty sure Luke is now with child.”

LBS KEE’VIN GETS “CONCEITED” WITH 2KBABY ON LATEST EFFORT

Pensacola’s very own LBS Kee’vin has released his new track “Conceited” featuring 2KBaby today via Visionary Records/Columbia Records. The Xavi produced banger marks as the third single from his upcoming sophomore project and the follow up to his smack-talking slapper “John Doe”. In the Axel directed video, “Conceited” mashes up clips of the two rap babies counting cash and hanging with their crews at a local skate park while Kee’vin effortlessly flexes bar after bar about his newfound success and earned wealth: “Now I am up and I’m thanking the lord/ It ain’t nothing that I can’t afford/ When I am f*cking a b*tch I record / Make a movie whenever I’m bored”.

New Music From contradash “favorite color” Out Now On Interscope Records

Today, contradash releases his new single “favorite color,” a bright and propulsive track anchored by a sugary-sweet earworm hook. “favorite color” is the latest in a series of singles released by contradash for Interscope Records in 2020, following previous releases “white lie,” “petal pickin'” and “cat out the bag.”

Larry Keel Releases Acclaimed New Album “American Dream”

Over the past 30 years, Larry Keel has been hailed by fans and critics alike for his energetic live performances and award-winning flatpicking skills. He is a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has appeared on nearly two dozen albums, including 12 that he produced himself, and has collaborated with everyone from Bill Monroe to Billy Strings. Today, he is proud to share his anticipated new solo album American Dream. Predominantly created during quarantine this past spring, Keel single-handedly produced, recorded, and wrote each of the 10 tracks on the album. The album has been spotlighted by a variety of outlets, including The Bluegrass Situation, JamBase, American Songwriter, Bluegrass Today, and No Depression, who said, “American Dream finds Keel honestly exploring — even wrestling — with his place in the wider world…an impressive LP that feels like a culmination of his experience and expertise.”

RAPPER, SINGER, SONGWRITER, ACTIVIST, NATHAN NZANGA RELEASES POWERFUL NEW TRACK “ENOUGH” TODAY

Seattle based artist/activist, first-generation Congolese-American Nathan Nzanga today releases his powerful new song “ENOUGH”. The single will be featured in an impactful short film, entitled enough. The song as well as the forthcoming film depicts an artistic journey for Nathan including the lack of social justice, for black men and women in the United States. The film is scheduled for release in the near future.

“ENOUGH”’s focus is specifically geared toward the disproportionate murder of black men and women by police and carries the same messages of the Black Lives Matter movement. Under the rallying cry, “Maybe I’m not loud enough”, the song is both a prayer and a protest.

RUDIE EDWARDS RELEASES NEW SINGLE “YOUNG”

“Young” is a meditation on their relationship, as much as a love letter to the quaint coastal town. “It’s my little thank you to him,” he’s says, of her first love. “My little thank you for the things I miss from back then.” She learned to love The Smiths for him, and subsequently left him behind when she moved to London to pursue her dreams of a career in music.

Black Trans artist, Apollo Flowerchild, releases new single on Trans Trenderz label

When trailblazing new label Trans Trenderz spearheaded their Ghostly Beats Project, a collaborative effort with the legendary outpost, Studio G Brooklyn, the focus was exclusively on supporting Black Trans music makers, a subsection of creatives who have been tragically underserved within the ‘Industry.’ In addition to the selflessness of the endeavor, the beauty in such a narrow lane is that it comes with a guarantee of non-genre specificity- and the beauty of that could be further defined in a single song…

Shon Brown – Made It Out feat YFN Lucci

LOSS OF INFECTION Release New Official Video For “Black Earth”

Hot on the heels of their new EP release Dark Dimension, Korean deathcore group Loss Of Infection have released an official video for the track Black Earth. Loss Of Infection are influenced by Chelsea Gran, White Chapel, Black Tongue, Falsifier, Thy Art Is Murder, Varials, Knocked Loose, etc, music which features the development between death metal and hardcore.

Pink Elefants Release “Peace Sign” – Give Entire Video Budget Back To Their Community

With their new song “Peace Sign,” Pink Elefants decided they really wanted to give back to the local community in Baltimore, which has shown them immense support over the years — for both Pink Elefants and their previous projects.

Instead of making a standard music video, the band took the entire budget provided by their label, Chirp Entertainment, and poured it into food, clothes, and other necessities for locals.

Brisbane outfit The Bonnie Doons effortlessly blend alt-rock and hip-hop in “The Betweeners”

Following on from the release of ‘Fred’ in September, we’re getting a new look at the music from The Bonnie Doons with the announcement of their new EP THE BETWEENERS and its title track.

The four track release from the Brisbane indie group comes rich in groove and rhythm, positioning the young band as formidable champions of this sound out in Australiat. From the EP, The Bonnie Doons also release a new single, also the EP’s title track, ‘The Betweeners’. A hit of laidback goodness, The Bonnie Doons remind fans of the strength they’ve got behind them as a band and for newcomers, it’s a perfect introduction.

Raka Dun of Los Rakas Channels Fred Hampton on New Single “Libertad”

In the midst of the United States Presidential election’s pending results, there is a need now more than ever for music that uplifts and promotes coming together. One half of Grammy-nominated Panamanian duo Los Rakas – Raka Dun – is hoping to provide some musical healing that will bring about unity.

New Music: Analog Players Society Drops New Album Today & Video “Chase”

Analog Players Society is proud to announce “Chase,” the first single and music video from Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film, to be released on October 30. This record is an instrumental, cinematic, set sampled from the original recording session that birthed TILTED. Since its August release, TILTED was included in Bandcamp’s “best jazz releases” and garnered strong support from Jazziz, Medium, Postgenre.org, NY Music Daily, and The Vinyl District.

Sheila Eden’s new track “Snake Oil,”

Fresh off three music award nominations and a Hallmark movie theme song placement, Sheila Eden continues to be focused on her passion: music for film and television. She is constantly seeking to help create the ‘perfect’ cinematic moment, where the audience can tap into potential emotion that has been suppressed for years, even decades through music and visuals/video.

Jeremy Schonfeld – New Video “Proof of Rain”

Schonfeld says, “”Proof of Rain” is a personal, contemplative song told in three parts: The dreams and inspirations of a boy discovering his passion and talent for music, the ambitions of a young man struggling to find his way in the world, emerging from his parents’ shadow, and finally, the realities of a middle-aged man whose dreams have shifted, who questions his legacy. Will he be remembered after the storm? “Like water dripping down from the roof, I am proof of the rain.””

LISTEN: Marc Spence Rejoins DIRTYBIRD with ‘Mooda Kooba’

Marc Spence is quite the legend in the house music realm, known for his leadership at Box Of Cats and as the co-founder of Digbeth Records shop in his hometown of Birmingham. A year after DIRTYBIRD tapped this multifaceted talent for their 2019 BBQ compilation, he now returns to the label with his first EP written in lockdown, ‘Mooda Kooba’—out today.

New Music: Honey Made Releases New Album “Brand New” Produced by Steve Berlin

The Austin based funk and soul band Honey Made follows up their recent EP, Couple Few, with their debut studio full length album Brand New. For Honey Made, the new album is an ode to looking forward, finding that newness in life that can make it so interesting, from love, to a journey, to a new musical venture, Brand New takes on so many meanings. Brand New is due out November 6th everywhere you stream music.

LISTEN: Vanita (Einmusika, Katermukke) Debuts on Desert Hearts Black with ‘Ailurus’

Vanita and Eleonora have teamed up for a dynamic double-sided single today on Desert Hearts Black: ‘Ailurus,’ which is now available on digital shelves worldwide. Anakim also makes his way back to the label fold, providing a heady remix to the A-side.

Alt R&B pop singer/songwriter Roman Rouge – Entitled “Blood On the Scene”

Rouge’s music has garnered extensive Spotify playlisting, landing spots on Fresh Finds, New Music Friday India, Fresh Finds Index, New Pop Revolution and Chilled Pop Hits to name a few. The Texas native has also been featured on Live Nation’s Ones to Watch, Wonderland, LADYGUNN, as well as on Earmilk.

Maxine Linehan Shares Gorgeous Holiday Tune “This Time of Year”

Singer, writer, producer, and actress Maxine Linehan is an interpretive artist that uses popular songbooks and theatrical presentations to share intimate truths and build communal bonds. The Irish performer’s masterful productions reimagine beloved music catalogs with courageous and emotive storylines, and immersive experiences. In doing this, she enriches our bonds with our favorite music.!

Left Field Messiah (Hot Hot Heat/Fitz & The Tantrums) Share “Fuzz Machine” Via Under The Radar

Today, Left Field Messiah share “Fuzz Machine”, following up on their debut single “A.M. Moonlight” from September. Both tracks are singles off of their upcoming debut album, In Praise of Bombast, due out early next year. Under The Radar premiered “Fuzz Machine”, praising how Left Field Messiah “brings together their divergent energies to harmonize over blissed-out hooks channeled from some primal instinctual well.” Left Field Messiah sees Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat), Jeremy Ruzumna (Fitz & The Tantrums), and Erik Janson (formerly Wildling) coming together to create energizing, genre-blending music.

ERIC BAZILIAN Shares Paper Animated Video for New Single “HEAVEN AIN’T GONNA SAVE US”

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Eric Bazilian—best known as the co-founder of the chart-topping band The Hooters, is set to release a new single–a rollicking ode to the state of the world titled “Heaven Ain’t Gonna Save Us.” With heavy subjects such as climate change, pandemics and elections firmly at the forefront of his mind, Bazilian distinguishes himself from the flood of other topical songs by creating a surprisingly upbeat rave-up with an effortless melodic sensibility that supports his ultimate call for unity. Bazilian produced and mixed the track and provides the rocked-out guitars, bass, mandola, swingin’ electric piano and energized vocals, Roman Ratej is on drums, legendary producer William Wittman (Cyndi Lauper, The Hooters, Joan Osborne), plays bass and the song was mastered by Martin Silbernik. “Heaven Ain’t Gonna Save Us” will be released digitally on November 6 and is taken from a forthcoming full-length album.

We Were Evergreen vocalist launches new solo Project – Wassailer

Following on from his emotionally haunting debut single ‘Son’ which garnered support from Huw Stephens at BBC Radio 1, Will, the London-based multi-talented artist behind the pseudonym Wassailer returns to unveil the atmospheric ‘242’. It’s the singers second outing taken from his highly anticipated debut full-length ‘i, the bastard’ which lands on January 27th 2021, via Empty Streets Records.

CELLUS HAMILTON TEAMS UP WITH BRITTNEY CARTER IN “SAME WAR” MUSIC VIDEO

Atlanta meets Chicago in this lyrical duel of wordsmiths. Both Kendrick Lamar & Lauryn Hill are absolutely beaming with pride watching these two emerging emcees. Cellus Hamilton, an Atlanta hiphop artist, has teamed up with Brittney Carter, a smooth lyricist hailing from Chicago, to release one of the most amazing songs of the year. The video, directed by Ty J Davis, captures all of the vibes associated with such a “feel-good” record. As we have all experienced a crazy year, “Same War” is the medicine we didn’t know we needed. The smooth track features production from Temper, and serves as a reminder that good music will always ease your soul. Make sure you stream “Same War” on all platforms.

BIIANCO remixes LACES’ latest single, “worship”

Vaughn’s signature style of writing is thoughtful and determined to be as honest as possible. Catapulted into the spotlight at the age of 18 when signed to Geffen Records under the moniker Charlotte Sometimes, Vaughn found herself on a rapid ascent, complete with charting records and a stint on Warped Tour. However, relentless touring began to get exhausting and lonely, and it came to a head late one night after a show when she was assaulted backstage. When she told her management company, she found cynicism and cold shoulders instead of support. “They put me in limbo after that––made other plans,” Vaughn remembers. “I did some EPs, but really, I checked out for a few years. I felt like a shell of a person.” Still performing as Charlotte Sometimes, she landed a spot on Season 2 of The Voice and became a critic and fan favorite. Rolling Stone, Billboard, Marie Claire, and others championed her run and the music she released after the show, but she realized her heart wasn’t really in it. Relocating from the East Coast to California, she reinvented herself as LACES.

“Are We There Yet” – Skyler Reed

Genelle releases new single ‘Come On Thru’

Today the YouTube personality turned singer-songwriter, Genelle, releases her new single, ‘Come on Thru.’ The track is written by Genelle, Kyle Burke and Thalia Rodriguez, produced by Kyle Burke and co-produced by Genelle herself. To complement the single, Genelle released her new music video. You can watch it HERE. Directed by Marcus Gustafsson, the video gives you late 90 R&B vibes as he captures shots at the beach and in-studio moments with a fisheye lens.