THE recent collaborations by local music sensation, Gino Lee, together with two international artists, sparked a worldwide interest of fresh pop music, compelling stories and infectious beats.
The first collaboration featuring Jackie Paladino, from London, was realised through a mutual friend from the New York University (NYU) and penned the track, Can You Tell Me What Love Is? which was released on January 11.
Gino heard Can You Tell Me What Love Is? and knew that he had to work on the track, putting his stamp on it and giving it his own spin.
“In the end, the song is truly a three-way international collaboration (New York City, London and South Africa) brought together by an instantly catchy, moving song,” Gino said.
The second collaboration for this year, Strangers, was recorded by Gino and Lexi Riese from New York. Both performers in their own right and from different sides of the globe, collaborated in 2018 after meeting at an open mic in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
“We have our own separate projects as individual artists.
“Riese, who is a regular on the New York performing circuit, is also currently enrolled in NYU,” Gino added.
Towards the end of 2018, the duo came together to create a handful of magical songs, without the premise of it being released under a group name. “It was after we realised the potential of our ease of writing and instant catchy hooks that we decided to release the music under the name, Strangers,” he said.
Both of these collaborations are international, proving that the power of a song can bring people together from different walks of life.
He further added, “This is also the whole concept behind my new group, called Strangers. Music really has the ability to bring people together, even complete strangers from different parts of the world, just like Lexi and I.”
Strangers’ first single, I Like, will be released on Friday, January 18.
“Both singles will be released through my label, ONErpm.
“I can’t wait for everybody to hear this brand new music.”
Gino is currently promoting his collaborations and plans are in place for a tour in New York in April.
He recently released his EP called Only Get Better in 2018, which sitting at number four on the Wild Coast FM Top 20.
“I will be performing with these two amazing artists.
“I’m also planning to have my own show at the Boardwalk ICC at the end of this year with my very own band.
“We started to rehearse in 2018 and we are looking forward to rock the PE crowd.”
