“Big Skeez’s wavy, mellow and smooth releases are forcing the Australian music guard
to take notice. We won’t be shocked when he achieves this and more” Vogue Australia
“A melting pot of style, resulting in a party-ready anthem” Acclaim Magazine
“A thrilling ode to culture” Life Without Andy
“They break down cultural barriers with their collaborations” Purple Sneakers
“An absolute moment” MTV Australia
Big Skeez today drops his final release for 2022 with ‘Work Don’t Stop’, out via his longtime home on NLV Records. LISTEN HERE + WATCH THE VISUALISER HERE.
‘Work Don’t Stop’ is another contagious listen from Big Skeez, pulling together his acclaimed approach to elements of amapiano and afrobeat that further cements his ability to move between musical identities. Navigating the characteristics of ongoing determination in both music and everyday life, the track is a rousing production backed by casual vocals, swirling with bold log drum basslines and an elevating hook.
Produced by Nigerian-based Arieenati and OGSterling and with additional production by frequent collaborator Swick, Big Skeez shares the track’s inception, “This track is about self-motivation. The song speaks about my own past life situations, but how I strive to go on. “Work Don’t Stop” defines me, pushing myself and driving from what’s within, it won’t let you stop doing what you do best and achieving all your goals.”
The release of ‘Work Don’t Stop’ follows Big Skeez’s recent narration and soundtracking of the Western Sydney Wanderers, where he performed his single ‘Up’ in the launch, speaking to the mentality and attitude of the people in Western Sydney. It also comes off the back off his Shazam charting Human Movement-collaboration ‘House Check’ and impressive BIGSOUND run, which drew attention across local tastemakers: “There was so much to love about Big Skeez’s high energy performances, proving that he’s a crucial part of an exciting and growing scene in Australia” (triple j); “his bars are every bit as good as his ability to hype the crowd” (Double J); and “equipped with more than enough physical oomph to get a dance floor moving” (Music Feeds) amongst others.
Big Skeez‘s music is in constant conversation with his roots, whether they lay in Africa or in Dharawal Land / Western Sydney. This proud sense of being simultaneously from and for a community still pulses tangibly through every aspect of his music, offering a decidedly different light to the surfeit of music that is currently emanating from his hometown. On the single’s visuals, Big Skeez collaborated with photographer Richmond Kobla Dido,frequent collaborator Murli Dhir and creative director Basjia Almaan tobring 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”.
Having drip-fed singles including ‘No Trace’, ‘Where Yuh From (with Gold Fang)’ and ‘Bang’, his sound is immersed in the sounds of Africa, Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggae, and R&B, studied from his parents and “borrowed” from older siblings; the result is a wavy, melodically-driven Afro Swing iteration entirely his own, livelier, more vibrant and upbeat, standing alongside global stars J Hus, Pa Salieu, Burna Boy and others.
Big Skeez will be taking his vivacious live performance to stages across the country in support of Allday’s tour, alongside an appearance at ON3’s Local Produce Block Party in December. Dates and more information can be found BELOW.
‘Work Don’t Stop’ is out now via NLV Records, buy/stream it here.
TOUR DATES
Thu 24 Nov – Magnums – Ngaro Land / Airlie Beach, QLD*
Fri 25 Nov – The Warehouse – Bindal and Wulgurukaba Land / Townsville, QLD*
Sat 26 Nov – Edge Hill Tavern – Yirragangi Land / Cairns, QLD*
Thu 1 Dec – Allday Support, Mayberry Darwin – Larrakia / Darwin, NT*
Sat 3 Dec – ON3 Local Produce Block Party – Naarm / Melbourne, VIC
Fri 9 Dec – Beer Deluxe Albury – Wiradjuri / Albury, NSW*
Sat 10 Dec – Kambri – ANU – Ngunnawal / Canberra, ACT*
