We Speak Indie Artist

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DIGITAL SERIES “GIANTS” RETURNS #FORTHECULURE, MORE DISRUPTIVE THAN EVER ON FEB. 21

Published

9 years ago

February 19, 2018

umeektv

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 21^st at youtube.com/issarae.

We Speak Indie Artist

jon scott’s “YOU ARE SO REAL” Has A Surprisingly Buoyant Origin

Published

2 weeks ago

September 6, 2026

Music4U

A song written during months of recovery from spinal surgery might be expected to sound a little heavy. jon scott’s “YOU ARE SO REAL” takes a different route.

The single came together while scott was bedbound and working through rehabilitation. It reflects the support he received from family, friends and others who reached out, as well as the happiness of returning to creative work. Yet the finished track is not weighed down by that story. It sounds like someone who has found a reason to put the kettle on, turn up the music and enjoy the day.

The retro-inspired production gives it a relaxed, classic feel, while the vocals keep things upbeat and joyful. The chorus is direct, and the instrumental section lets the song settle into its own rhythm.

That contrast is what makes the track interesting. The circumstances behind it are serious, but the song itself is about what makes life worth celebrating. It is not trying to turn recovery into a dramatic musical statement. Instead, it takes the support that helped scott through and gives it a joyous soundtrack.

“YOU ARE SO REAL” is a song about feeling better, but it gets there through a good mood rather than a heavy explanation. That is a refreshing way to approach a subject that could easily have gone in another direction. Have a listen for yourself below, courtesy of Now Listen.