We Speak Indie Artist
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DIGITAL SERIES “GIANTS” RETURNS #FORTHECULURE, MORE DISRUPTIVE THAN EVER ON FEB. 21
Returning to claim its position as a must-watch digital series for the “culture,” season two of Giants premieres Wednesday, February 21, 2018 on Issa Rae’s YouTube channel.
Giants is a scripted drama digital series created by and starring James Bland (USA’s upcoming crime series, “Unsolved”), alongside Vanessa Baden Kelly (“Kenan & Kel,” “Gullah Gullah Island,” and “Rosewood”) and Sean Samuels (SyFy channel’s “Toxic Shark”). Season one of Giants was praised for authentically capturing the black millennial experience and tackling stigmatized issues including mental health, sexual identity, and unconventional means of economic survival.
“I created Giants with the intent of addressing taboo topics that weren’t often seen on mainstream television, but are universal and relatable,” said Bland. “I think the success of our first season signifies a desire to not only see these challenges played out on screen, but also to start conversations about them off-screen.”
Giants is executive produced by Empire star Jussie Smollett and talent development intermediary LeadersUp. In an effort to help increase diversity and create on-ramps into the entertainment industry, Giants partnered with LeadersUp to provide young adults of color with the opportunity to gain experience as production assistants. The series is distributed under ColorCreative.tv, an initiative within two-time Golden Globe-nominee Issa Rae’s production company.
Giants returns bigger and bolder with six, half-hour episodes and an hour-long finale in its second season. Nothing will be the same for Malachi (Bland), Journee (Baden Kelly) and Ade (Samuels), who find themselves sharing a tiny, one-bedroom apartment and are forced to face their inner giants while on full display to one another. This season dives deeper into each character’s past and peels back the layers of their insecurities to find the root of their issues. In true Giants fashion, season 2 pushes the envelope by exploring real-life issues such as abortion, drug abuse, black masculinity and the parameters of sexual assault.
“Season two really raises the stakes for these characters and their problems rise to a level of hurt that leaves us wondering if they can ever come back from this,” said Bland. “By season’s end we learn that not all giants can be slayed. Some we tame and learn to live with.”
This season, the cast is joined by talented guest stars including Emmy-nominated Kelsey Scott (AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead,” ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder”), Will Catlett (CW’s “Black Lightning,” OWN’s “Love is ___”), KJ Smith (OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” CW’s “Dynasty”), Woody McClain (BET’s “The New Addition Story”), and J. August Richards (ABC’s “Kevin Probably Saves the World,” “Agents of SHIELD”), who also wrote and directed two episodes. Other notable guest directors include Carey Williams, whose short film Emergency won the Special Jury Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, as well as Xavier Burgin, who is a Sundance Institute Fellow.
Giants received six Indie Series Awards nominations, including Best Drama against Amazon’s The Bay, and is an official selection of the 2018 Houston Black Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, and HollyWeb Festival.
The series is produced by CJ Faison and Takara Joseph for James Bland Productions.
Check out the trailer now and tune in for the season two premiere of Giants on February 21st at youtube.com/issarae.
We Speak Indie Artist
Feelgood Frequencies: Why CR Srikanth’s “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™” Is The Sonic Hug You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’ve been looking for a track that feels like a warm, nostalgic hug wrapped in shimmering synths, CR Srikanth’s new single “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™” might be exactly what you need. It offers a beautiful balance of emotional depth and danceable energy, pulling you out of your head and into a place where you can just breathe, feel, and move. In a world that often feels overwhelming, this track delivers a sense of calm and release.
Srikanth, a US-based Indian composer and sonic storyteller, has carved out a unique musical space with his self-created genre, VS Pop™ (Very Smooth Pop). Drawing from vintage 1980s synthpop, ambient soundscapes, and cinematic orchestral touches, he’s crafted a style that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. “Dancing in the Dark” continues that evolution. It is at once intimate and expansive, polished yet deeply human.
The track features vocals from Junior Paez, whose delivery adds emotional texture to the lyrics. There’s a quiet honesty in lines like “Don’t you think you’re losing your mind again?” and “Hold on, I’ll take you a little higher tonight.” These words speak to the chaos we often feel inside, but instead of staying stuck there, the song encourages movement, connection, and hope. It is music that acknowledges the darkness but chooses to dance through it anyway.
The production is rich with shimmering arpeggiators, retro synth bass, and crisp electronic drums. It brings together nostalgia and futurism in a way that feels effortless. Imagine flickering neon lights, soft motion blur, and the kind of energy that makes you want to close your eyes and sway. It is cinematic but never overwhelming. Every layer serves the emotion at the heart of the track.
What makes “Dancing in the Dark” so appealing is how well it adapts to your mood. Whether you’re heading out for a solo night drive, setting the vibe for a weekend gathering, or simply lying on your bed in need of a reset, this song fits the moment. It never pushes too hard, but it always lands exactly where it needs to. There is something comforting about how sure of itself it feels.
CR Srikanth is not just making music for the sake of it. He is building emotional landscapes for listeners to get lost in and to find themselves again. With “Dancing in the Dark – VS Pop™,” he offers more than just a catchy tune. He gives us space to reflect, to feel seen, and to find joy in the act of simply moving forward. So press play, turn it up, and let yourself be lifted. This one’s for the heart, the soul, and the feet.
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