Music

Music

L.A.’s Skitso Drops a New Video at a “Blink of an Eye”

by Boom
written by Boom

Los Angeles recording artist Skitso is ascending into major prospect in the music business with the popularity of his signature West Coast sound. Coming from a well-documented lineage of West Coast royalty in relation to the first ever rap group, The Watts Prophets. Skitso name originates from the acronym which means seek knowledge in truth and seize opportunities. Skitso continues to impress with the release of his new video, titled, “Blink of an Eye”.

In the video, Skitso envision himself a kingpin on the big screen as he watches himself star in a feature film. Watching the story unfold, Skitso fully digest where our choices lead us whether good or bad in an instant. “Blink of Eye” is the second single off of Skitso’s new album, ‘Dream’.

“Rap has been my life since I was 8-years-old,” Skitso says about the song’s concept. “I was influenced heavily by Master P, Hot Boyz, Big Tymers, Dr. Dre., Eminem, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent.” Listening to them over catchy beats and seeing the glamor of the music videos put the stamp on my life purpose. It was no turning back.”

Skitso is currently signed to Brave Entertainment and plans to go on an international tour to Europe, Australia, and Japan.

Watch “Blink of an Eye” below.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
MusicThe Latest

On The Scene: Maxwell’s ‘blackSUMMERS’night’ Listening Party At Samsung 837

by Yanique Bourjolly
written by Yanique Bourjolly

On Tuesday, 24th there was a private pre-launch event for Maxwell’s new album blackSUMMERS’night at the Samsung 837 building located in the heart of the Meatpacking district. Maxwell’s previous album, under the same title, BLACKsummers’night was released seven years prior in 2009. It forms part of the trilogy he initially promised and hence the similar names with difference of capitalization.

The Grammy winning singer/songwriter has unveiled the album cover and tracklisting for the 12-track LP which drops stores on July, 1st the same day he is scheduled to co-headline the ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans. Prior to that, he will take the stage for a performance at the BET Awards on June 2nd.

The event was followed by a private screening his “Lake By The Ocean” video from the album and a Q & A with Sway Calloway. Check out our exclusive coverage:

Sway Calloway: To sustain for 20 years in this business throughout the digital age with all the transformation- remember how many labels there used to be, everything now is condensed to one. A lot of artists get left on the editing floor but you sustained. It would be great to reflect back on 20 years and still be important to an audience like this.

Maxwell: Where do I begin, all I can say is that this is not just me number 1; everything that you hear and see is a family effort. Long story short, this is just a collection of loyalty. When you hear this, this is loyalty. We have been doing this musically and creatively and having each others backs as people. So when we come down and do the music, its very difficult in light of a very electronic era that we live in. I can’t play myself, I been doing it too long in a certain way to fall into a trend so I can make a certain amount of money. So it’s difficult but its great when you work with the people as long as you have because they are the reasons why I make the choices that I make that hopefully last longer then the time I live here.

Sway Calloway: I think what makes the music so relatable is the intangible you put into your lyrics; everything you do is a by product of what you experienced. You’ve done that consistently for so many years.

Maxwell: I’m a one take person. If I don’t feel emotionally prepared to do a song, I just won’t do it. The track will just sit there for years and years. It’s the fire inside of you that you know you are prepared to do that part. You make people believe you then. As far as Soul music is concerned, I want to keep the link going and show people that musicianship is still really important and writing lyrics that celebrate women.

The next record will not take as long as this one did. There was a lot that went on- losing family members, having my best friends have families- also the anxiety of having come back from BlackSummer’snight, the first installment. For me it was difficult to keep the music popping off from the last album. We have so many records now that it will be a lot sooner then the last was.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
MusicThe Latest

On the Scene: Ro James ‘ELDORADO’ Listening

by Shannagh Rowland
written by Shannagh Rowland

In an open-air garage by Hell’s Kitchen, friends and fans of Ro James mingle as they prepare for the artist to take the stage. Five girls in khaki jackets sell drinks in the back – a menu composed exclusively of Heineken and tequila, donning titles from Ro James’ upcoming album ELDORADO – as the crowd appreciates the night’s opening act; Brooklyn’s own Olivia Dope blasting out the best of the last three decades’ Rap, Hip-Hop and R&B. The crowd matches the scene – casual but immaculate – and it seems as though everyone is a friend of Ro James’, which inevitably means that they’re friends to one another.

The artist’s arrival, signaled by a call for NYC to make some noise, electrifies the audience as Ro James – donning the woolen poncho, gold rings and circular sunglasses displayed on James’ album cover – rides up to the venue on a vintage Royal Star Cadillac. The mood shifts immediately, all energies slow and are channeled toward one thing: the artist and his art. In the background, “Permission” – James’ top hit – plays as he steps up to the stage.

“ELDORADO represents the journey for me,” James starts, “it’s been years of hard work, dedication, gaining friends, losing friends, gaining love and losing love.” A member of the crowd calls out an “I love you;” James chuckles and responds, easy. Introducing his first song, “Ga$,” James finishes his introduction with “let’s do this for the music.”

And for the whole evening, the crowd complied. From “Already Knew That” to “A.D.I.D.a.S.,” everyone grooves with James; especially for the latter when he performs an a capella version of the track. James’ effortless, charismatic nature adds to his performance but his talent is beyond question; with natural rhythm and flow, James moves from mellow tones to booming vocals, breaking only to say, “I know there are a lot of singers in this place.” Voices join, sweet and almost childlike in comparison to James’ powerful and sensual singing, his sound resonating with voices like Miguel’s and D’Angelo’s. The beats, when present, are groovy and deep; the bass resonating in your chest, moving you to sway and jam with the music. He ends the evening the way it began by playing his top track, “Permission,” laughing and flirting with his fans in the front row, asking the audience to join in, sing along and become part of the family.

Watching Ro James command the stage on Tuesday night in an “El Dorado” poncho and black boots suggests he’s a long way from his beginnings, his musical affair originating in church with his father. His message, however, seems to remain the same; he thanks the crowd for “coming out and showing love,” offering Jack Daniels to anyone who cares, as his friend grabs the microphone to say, “R&B music is one of the most soulful things that we have in this community and we are doing our best to bring that back…Ro James is a key example of that. Thank you so much for keeping this alive.” As the crowd trickles out of the open garage door, the party spills out on to the street. Down the block, the heavy bass can still be heard, offering James’ music up to the world.

ELDORADO by Ro James is in stores Friday, May 25.

Available for Pre-Order on iTunes.

Stream Ro James on Spotify.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts