Jeeni Blog

Helping the next generation of talent to build a global fanbase

Artist Focus: Khole Baldeo

/ By Elliot Riley
Artist Focus: Khole Baldeo

We are very excited to introduce Khole Baldeo, one of the next great artists to come out of the Caribbean, and more specifically, the Island of Grenada. She is an extremely talented singer, performer and songwriter who has created a real name for herself on her island, and she’s now set her eyes on international success.

Having seen her perform in person I can say she has an incredible voice and can attract the attention of an audience with ease. Her electric, unforgiving nature during performance is a brilliant sight and you can only admire the clear love and dedication she has for her craft. 

Her following has been eagerly awaiting her new journey in music, as she like many artists prepared to elevate her career to the next level. Having opened shows for notable artists such Buju Banton and Sizzla Kalonji, she took time to find her own new unique sound. Having previously been more of a Soul singer, she has found her calling in ‘Island Pop’. The genre is a clash of Dancehall and Pop, often very bouncy and easy to listen to, describing love, life, sex and relationships. 

Her debut single ‘Island Girl’, produced by the excellent ‘Exit Daze’ currently residing in Grenada, is a joyful, exciting start to her new voyage. There is an incredible energy about the track, Khole has clearly entertained her past soulful style with her light, loving lyrics while also exploring the fiercer, sensual side of her character in the chorus. The happy-sad nature of the songs story adds a lot of emotion, as she speaks of two people dancing around one another, but feeling reluctant to ‘make a move’ as they are afraid of a bad reaction.  

The mix consists of upbeat guitar chords, and a modern pop style beat, with some layering of piano keys, which really encapsulates an Island vibe. Khole sets the tone for the song “Would you run away if I told you I love you, would it make you stay, let’s take a chance”. The light start to the song progresses to a knocking chorus. She tells her audience of this relationship with great detail, creating spicy imagery as she leaves the specifics up to interpretation. 

An electric song needs an electric music video and that is certainly the case here. The smooth moves of Khole and her dancers make you feel as if you are this elusive character who she is in love with. There is a lovely mix in the choreography between the joyful, coordinated but careless dancing, and the more seductive side of Khole towards her subject as you get a glimpse of what may be in store. 

‘Island Girl’ is an exciting, jubilant and professional release. We love the vibe that Khole Baldeo has created here, a fantastic start to her new identity. We shall continue to keep you updated on her new releases as there is much more to come! 

How can Jeeni support artists like Khole Baldeo?

JEENI is a multi-channel platform for original entertainment on demand. We’re a direct service between creatives and the global audience.

• We give creatives, independent artists and performers a showcase for their talent and services. And they keep 100% of everything they make.
• We empower our audience and reward them every step of the way.
• We promise to treat our members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect.
• Access to artist liaison and a supportive marketing team.

Check out Khole Baldeo’s Jeeni showcase here: https://jeeni.com/showcase/kholebaldeo/ 

10
Jun

Jeeni a more robust music ecosystem for everyone.

The music industry is at a critical inflection point. After years of declining sales and waning fan enthusiasm, the rise of streaming has ushered in a new golden era for an industry that has benefited artists, songwriters, copyright owners, and fans alike. In 2019, streaming was the engine driving revenue growth in the US music industry for the fifth consecutive year. Download the 2020 Streaming Forward report, featuring the latest updates on streaming’s role in the music industry, how digital discovery is elevating new artists and genres, and what we can expect ahead. The Evolution of the music industry over the the last two decades has been staggering. The rise of streaming has revolutionized all facets of music, empowering artists and creators by expanding their access to fans, allowing music listeners to seamlessly connect with their favorite songs whenever and wherever they want, and driving new music choice and creativity. For fans, copyright owners, and creators alike, the positive impact of this evolution has been monumental: with total music stream reaching the one trillion mark in 2019, fans are listening to more music than ever before, and the industry is enjoying a multi-year growth cycle driven by the streaming economy. Over the next seven years the streaming revolution will only grow more powerful. Fast-forwarding we can expect: Forecasts remain just that of the industry's trajectory in the future. While the impacts of Covid-19 are still being felt, and have undoubtedly impacted the music industry, we can expect streaming growth to continue. What we cannot forecast is what new music consumption behaviors might surprise us, and new innovations by the streaming services that we have not begun to see. But with growing optimism and increasing inward investment attracted by the streaming-driven hyper growth, the music industry is experiencing boom times – for consumers,record labels and publishers and most of all creators. Click here to view the 2020 Streaming Forward Report. Click HERE to visit or return to jeeni.com

12
Mar

Live Virtual Gigs in the Gaming Metaverse

In November last year, a live virtual gig took place in the gaming Metaverse of world platforms. Rapper Lil Nas X took to the stage in Roblox, and performed in a free-to-view event, which broke all previous records to become one of the the most viewed concerts of all time, pulling in a worldwide record-breaking audience of over 35-million visits. Lil Nas X's Virtual Gig - Credit: Still Roblox is a platform of over 50-million user designed video games. The concert was their first, but they have also partnered with music label Monstercat and delivered an album release party for Ava Max. Could this collective gaming audience be the music world's perfect audience of the future? Taking inspiration from Lil Was X's videos and songs, various stages were created for in-game virtual performances using PBR rendering, lighting, shadowing and facial recognition technologies available on the Roblox platfom. Speaking ahead of his performance, Jon Vlassopulos, global head of music at Roblox, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Columbia Records to bring Lil Nas X fans and the Roblox community together in an entirely new way.“This concert with Lil Nas X will transport players and their friends into the metaverse, and bring to life the future of what immersive, social experiences can look like.” The experience is a long way from the first pixelated forms of performers or being able to control Michael Jackson in the 1990's 'Moonwalker' whilst he rescues children to the sound of his hit 'Smooth Criminal'. However, the online gaming world became a far greater player when Grand Theft Auto realised the potential of licensed music. They allowed players to access perfectly curated radio stations whilst creating chaos and mayhem in the streets of Miami. Michael Jackson in the Moonwalker video game Roblox are not the only gaming platform to take on the music gig. Fortnite allowed Travis Scott to host a gig from a stage in the water off the resort of Sweaty Sands. People attended the concert from wherever they were in the game, as their personally created avatar, whilst they continued to fire at the people around them. Travis Scott's Virtual Gig in Fortnite The following concert was brief, just a 10-minute pop of Scott's hits, with incredible visual pyrotechnics. The world of Fortnite transformed kaleidoscopically around Scott and the artist came right up to the viewers, giving the sense of being able to reach out and touch him. One moment, fire poured from his body; the next, his face melted to reveal a robotic skull. According to developer Epic Games, more than 28m people watched the show. Gaming Metaverse platforms like Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite are being chosen for these live virtual gigs because their worlds are moving into something beyond gaming. The platforms are used by kids wanting to hang out with their mates and socialise, a virtual environment which has become so relevant and meaningful to the users during the pandemic lockdowns.

19
Mar

Something for the Weekend

Need a little listening inspiration? With all the new music on offer, across the many genres available, it's difficult to know where to start. Allison Hussey and Madison Bloom of Pitchfork create a Friday Newsletter each week, to keep you up to date with the weeks new releases. If you're trying to decide on something for the weekend, here are their recommendations from this weeks releases. Lana Del Rey: Chemtrails Over the Country Club [Polydor/Interscope] Lana Del Rey Lana Del Rey announced Chemtrails Over the Country Club almost a year ago. The Norman Fucking Rockwell! follow-up, which was pushed back from an autumn 2020 release, was led by “Let Me Love You Like a Woman” and the title track. The album also includes"Tulsa Jesus Freak" which the singer had teased with an Instagram post last summer. Benny the Butcher/Harry Fraud: The Plugs I Met 2 [Black Soprano Family/SRFSCHL] Benny the Butcher Griselda MC Benny the Butcher and producer Harry Fraud have joined forces for The Plugs I Met 2, a nine-track release featuring 2 Chainz, Fat Joe, Jim Jones, and more. The new project follows Benny’s 2020 album Burden of Proof, which was recorded at the same time as The Plugs I Met 2. Check out the music videos for 2’s “Thanksgiving” and “Plug Talk.” Sofia Kourtesis: Fresia Magdalena EP [Technicolour] Sofia Kourtesis Fresia Magdalena is the third EP from Berlin-based electronic producer Sofia Kourtesis, joining last year’s Sarita Colonia and her 2019 self-titled EP. The project features four songs, including “La Perla,” which Kourtesis built around field recordings she made in her home city of Lima, Peru.  Mare Cognitum: Solar Paroxysm [I, Voidhanger/ Extraconscious] Mare Cognitum Portland musician Jacob Buczarski makes black metal under the name Mare Cognitum. Solar Paroxysm is Buczarski’s fifth album under the moniker, following last year’s Wanderers: Astrology of the Nine. Loretta Lynn: Still Woman Enough [Legacy] Loretta Lynn Still Woman Enough is the 50th album from 88 year-old country star Loretta Lynn, following 2018’s Wouldn’t It Be Great. Intended to celebrate the presence of women in country music, the project features new songs, as well as re-interpretations of classics from Lynn’s catalog. Margo Price, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Tanya Tucker all make guest appearances on the record. Show Me the Body: SurviveEP [Loma Vista] Show Me The Body New York City hardcore punk band Show Me the Body are back with a new EP. Survive follows their 2019 full-length Dog Whistle. The group produced the three songs with Gabriel Millman and Patrik Berger; the EP is also mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk. Surviveis the first project that Show Me the Body wrote and recorded completely in their CORPUS studio. “The songs deal with spiritual and physical isolation, as well as staying ready and preparing for the next time we come together,” they said. www.jeeni.com www.pitchfork.com