Artist Spotlight
BILLBOARD-CHARTING AFROPIANO TRAILBLAZER ZINOLEESKY RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE ‘CALL OF DUTY’
Nigerian rising star and afropiano trailblazer ZINOLEESKY is back with the ultimate summer jam titled ‘CALL OF DUTY’. Produced by Niphkeys, who has recently worked with the likes of Omah Lay, Naira Marley, Asake, and Reekado Banks, ‘Call Of Duty’ continues the hot streak that Zinoleesky has been on all year, as he gears towards the release of his sophomore EP coming this autumn.
The sun-kissed dance floor filler is a glorious fusion of afrobeats, amapiano, and electronic dance music, in a way that only Zinoleesky can deliver, which is why the Lagos-based artist and musician is revered as one of the frontrunners and trailblazers of the exciting new afropiano subgenre that is taking over the continent with its lush mix of afrobeats and amapiano. As the ‘Call Of Duty’ song title suggests, Zinoleesky has fused his passion for gaming and women together on one record, and as the fast-rising Gen Z talent puts it, “I like girls, I like gaming so I made a song about what I like”.
Emerging as one of the rising stars of afrobeats new class of 2022, Zinoleesky first burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced teenager with a series of viral freestyles that caught the attention of afrobeats royalty including Davido, Kizz Daniels, and Naira Marley, before eventually signing to Naira Marley’s record label, Marlian Music, in 2019, and releasing his acclaimed debut EP in 2020. Now with over 300 million plays online, three Billboard-charting singles, UK support from BBC 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, and KISS Fresh, sold-out shows at the world-renowned Scala in London, and a Headies ‘Next Rated’ award nomination all under his belt, Zinoleesky is staking his claim as one to watch on the global music landscape.
CONNECT WITH ZINOLEESKY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zinoleesky
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/zinoleesky01
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zinoleeesky
Artist Spotlight
CircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J
On their exhilarating high-octane track “UnBreakable Turn,” CircleKSK and guest vocalist Anya J aim to combine the technical prowess of Nordic metal with the urgent melodies and dramatic flair of an anime opening sequence. Creating a cinematic and adrenaline-fueled tune with a melodic edge, CircleKSK has risen to prominence as an innovative act.
The deliberate fusion contributes to the single’s captivating nature. J-Pop and anime-song sensibilities contribute emotional hooks and sweeping, catchy lines; precision, dense riffs, and a sense of weight are brought by Nordic metal. Echoing the song’s vivid melodic contours, Anya J’s heroic and personal vocals and demeanor heighten the dramatic impact of the performance. The structure is based on the standard narrative progression: lively, evocative parts leading the way to more somber ones that ground the emotion.
The production relies on contrast so that lighter parts sparkle and heavier parts thud with satisfying force. As if CircleKSK were creating music for the eyes as well as the ears, this piece could serve as the score for a dramatic scene or the music for a violent montage. Not everything is surface-level, though; the emotional core remains. Anthemic and deeply personal, “UnBreakable Turn” combines the vigor of youth with the gravity of experience.
An assuredly inventive single that fearlessly asserts new territory, “UnBreakable Turn” by CircleKSK is sure to please fans of big, dramatic music that isn’t hesitant to mix sweetness and steel, as well as those who enjoy cross-cultural mashups. The single, which has been lauded by curators and tastemakers worldwide, is a strong statement about artists who fearlessly combine cultural genres, showing that passionate J-Pop melodies and intense Scandinavian metal can coexist in one unforgettable track.
Artist Spotlight
Garth Adam keeps the flame of Journeysong burning with the new single “Three Fires”
Garth Adam‘s latest single, “Three Fires,” evokes a warm dialogue in a subdued studio that is intimate, contemplative, and subtly victorious. Adam candidly discusses the exhilaration of uncovering self-assurance in both himself and his songwriting, and this revelation serves as the driving force of the track. At its essence, “Three Fires” is a straightforward commemoration: the delight in transforming a modest idea into something extraordinary through patience.
Adam’s vocal style resides comfortably within a folk-influenced pop genre, which he characterizes as a blend of Neil Finn and The Lumineers, interspersed with elements reminiscent of Coldplay and James Blunt. The reference point is beneficial yet not confining; “Three Fires” represents Adam’s unique creation, an accessible, melodic composition that prioritizes artistry over novelty. The single, recorded in joyful sessions in Perth with long-time collaborator and producer Melvin Tree, exudes the warmth of musicians collaborating in a circle, with the vintage Studer analog desk imparting an analog glow to the final recording. Melvin, Dave Kelly, and a select group of skilled music students contribute backing vocals that enhance the track with harmony and impart a subtly communal, authentic quality.
The lyrics of the song emphasize Adam’s preferred motifs: travel, journeys, and the subtle transformations that occur during the voyage. However, it is not overly forceful; the songwriting is elegant, transitioning from observation to insight with effortless fluidity. Adam’s delivery conveys satisfaction; he is a songwriter who has witnessed minor concepts evolve into completed songs and has learned to trust that process.
“Three Fires” serves as a testament to the notion that skill and perseverance can transform a mere spark into something luminous. For aficionados of melodic songwriting with an analog essence, Garth Adam’s latest work is a comforting, exquisitely crafted ember to accompany one on their journey. It is a song that encourages repeated, soothing auditory experiences.
-
Artist Spotlight12 hours agoCircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J
-
Artist Spotlight13 hours agoHaydeezy sets the season in motion with the effortless summer anthem “Bounce”
-
Artist Spotlight13 hours agoRecc explores nostalgia and inner freedom in “Where the Wild thYngs Are”
-
Artist Spotlight12 hours agoGarth Adam keeps the flame of Journeysong burning with the new single “Three Fires”
-
Artist Spotlight13 hours agoCharley Young reclaims her voice with the raw and revelatory single “A Song About You”
-
Artist Spotlight13 hours agoAnnaBelle Swift delivers gentle hope and gratitude with new single “Heaven Sent”
-
Artist Spotlight13 hours agoSandra Mae Lux rekindles timeless holiday magic with “This December Love”
-
Artist Spotlight13 hours agoChris Pannella honors a classic with his stripped-down take on “The Rain Song”

