Ahead of his upcoming performances at SXSW Sydney, burgeoning Eora-based artist and producer Big Skeez returns with his new single ‘Hello’, marking the final preview of his forthcoming debut mixtape Work Don’t Stop out November 10 via NLV Records.
In a continuation of his keen ear for club sounds, ‘Hello’ is a moody cut that takes Big Skeez back to his experimental style of music-making as showcased in his previous release ‘Bang’. Produced by Nigerian producer King Leemix with additional production by frequent collaborator Swick, the track is heaving with dark synths that weave through a log bass production, walking the line between vibrant afrobeat rhythms and sensual R&B tones. Of the track’s inception, Big Skeez shares that this song is addressed to the “haters that want me to fail” of which to them, he says, “hello! I’m here to stay and for good!”
Priming listeners for a debut mixtape that’s set to showcase this true creativity, ‘Hello’ is the final single to be drawn from Work Don’t Stop. A release that is boldly personal with intent grounded in reality, Work Don’t Stop holds a defined sense of originality, all while enveloping a collective experience that is a proud sense of being simultaneously from and for a community. With his ability to plant himself alongside global stars like Obongjayar, J Hus, and Burna Boy, Big Skeez blends a variety of styles without hesitation, immersing himself in the sounds of Africa, Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggae, and R&B that have been studied from his parents and “borrowed” from older siblings in between his years of consistent output.
With previous releases including ‘90’s Baby’ ‘Work Don’t Stop’ and ‘Go Back Home’ scoring playlisting across triple j, triple j Unearthed, FBi Radio and praise from Acclaim Magazine, Pilerats, Music Feeds and Take Flight among others, Work Don’t Stop is Big Skeez at his most heartfelt and sincere, and at it’s core in constant conversation with his roots, tracing back generations and running across continents. On the single’s visuals, Big Skeez collaborated with photographer Richmond Kobla Dido, frequent collaborator Murli Dhir and creative director Basjia Almaan to bring together an all-Sudanese cast. Almaan shares, “It is imperative that black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated in this country. Black culture is at the centre of music and art. Mainstream trends are modelled off black people, the style, the steez, the hair, the WOMEN, are the blueprint and rarely do black people get credit or recognition. It was important that this art celebrated that, celebrated the culture and those who are a part of it and continue to create it”.
In a mammoth career so far, Big Skeez has voiced and soundtracked the Western Sydney Wanderers A-League team with his song ‘Up’, toured with Allday, amassed over 10k Shazams for his Human Movement-collaboration ‘House Check’ and featured in campaigns for Vogue and GQ. Offering a different light to the surfeit of music that is currently emanating from his hometown, Work Don’t Stop is set to lie in a clear-cut, melodically-driven lane of his own.
‘Hello’ by Big Skeez is out NOW via NLV Records.