Ousama & Khalid Hamadah Connect On Their Fiery New Album, “Skunkworks”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
Unless you live under a rock, you probably have heard of emerging artist Ousama. Hailing from the UK, Ousama has been living in the shadows preparing himself for his big reveal. After a year of spiritual transcendence atop a monastery in the mountains of Japan, the musician has spent countless hours refining his sound & lyrical prowess. Since then, he has teamed up with Kuwaiti-born producer Khalid Hamadah to deliver a powerful message of self-healing & personal growth. Now, the duo rises to the occasion on their fiery project “Skunkworks”.
Unlike many albums that have been released recently, “Skunkworks” is a musical experience. The project has 4 years of music comprised to make one cohesive project. After meeting on a hip-hop appreciation subreddit 4 years ago, the duo embarked on a musical journey. Khalid states, “We started working together, me sending him beats, him sending me bars until eventually amassed almost 20+ songs. We ended cutting them down to 12 songs and organized the concept, mixed it. Sent it to Brian Big Bass Gardner (The chronic, and more) for mastering and sent it for release now it is officially out.”
For me, “Skunkworks” is a culmination of the hard work that can be put into an album. You can feel Ousama’s expressive nature through his lyrics, and the production can’t be overlooked. This duo is like Drake & 40. They perfectly complement each other, and the end result is perfection. “Skunkworks” is a beautiful timepiece that will be remembered for years. The 12-track album is raw, genuine, and it flourished due to the exceptional production & vocals. Although I loved the album as a whole, my favorite singles have to be “Hibiscus Changa” & “Teflon”. “Hibiscus Changa” is a vibrant single that details a dystopian story. It is one of the most engaging songs I have heard in years. I loved it from the sonics to the lyrics. “Teflon” was a dynamic record that left a lasting impression as well. Overall, this is an album that needs more attention. I rarely see artists that have substance nowadays. I honestly yearn to feel connected to music now more than ever. From where I’m sitting, this duo proved they have the chops, so it’s time for you to experience it as well! So, stream the album below!
