Artist of the Year '18: Stream on YouTube, Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify

ARTIST OF THE YEAR : S|IMA. | 2018.

A few informational videos, interviews, music videos and behind the scenes clips from your 7 official nominees

7 Nominees will be shortlisted for this category. The winner will be selected from the 7 nominees. Winners are selected by popular demand so please vote to ensure your favorite nominee wins.
To vote for your favorite nominee Tweet ARTIST/BAND NAME and the AWARD CATEGORY @SkunkRadioLive or place your vote at the bottom of this page.

Nominate an Independent Artist, Musician or Band from the list of contenders to help them secure one of the 7 Nominee Slots. You can also nominate your favorite Independent Artists, Musicians or Bands even if they are not listed. Tweet NOMINATE ARTIST/BAND NAME and the AWARD CATEGORY @SkunkRadioLive or post at the bottom of this page.

Other places to find Independent Artists, Musicians and Bands to nominate:
Skunk Radio Live Daily Broadcasts.
The Indie Artist Directory.
The Indie Music YouTube Directory.
The Indie Music Board.
The Indie Video Board.
The Skunk Radio Live Record Store.
SRLtv.
Skunk Radio Live Top 20.

Musicians, Artists, Bands and Independent Record Labels are more than welcome to submit music.

Nominations and voting for the 2018 S|IMA ends November 30, 2018. Winners will be announced shortly after.

Follow @SkunkRadioLive for updates.

S|IMA. | 2018.

Artist of the Year.

NOMINEES.

To vote for your favorite nominee Tweet ARTIST/BAND NAME and THE CATEGORY @SkunkRadioLive or post a comment at the bottom of this page.

1. CRISSI COCHRANE : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist Of The Year 2018 - Crissi Cochrane

Bio.
Crissi Cochrane combines the heart of an East Coast singer-songwriter with the soul of Windsor/Detroit, living and writing just a stone's throw away from the birthplace of Motown.

Native to the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Crissi fashions a sultry and soulful brand of popular music, jazz, and R&B. Silky vocals reminiscent of Billie Holiday and Norah Jones glow atop the purr of her Fender Jaguar electric guitar.

On stage, refined songs reveal more than a decade's worth of experience first gained as a young girl growing up in small town Canada, diligently writing, recording, and performing. For a few years, Crissi settled in the nearby city of Halifax, studying Music Business and becoming known for her melodic folk/pop style. Her debut studio album Darling, Darling emerged in the summer of 2010, recorded in Chicago with musician Mike Kinsella (of Owen, American Football, Joan of Arc), but not before a trip to Canada's southernmost city set the wheels of change into motion. Crissi fell in love with Windsor, Ontario and neighboring Detroit and moved there by summer's end.

With the influence of Motown only a riverbank away, a musical maturation began. Detroit's radio, record stores, and clubs inspired a change of direction, with her songwriting echoing jazz, blues, bossa nova, and soul. Her latest FACTOR-funded album Little Sway (2014) reveals a soulful sophistication, hailed by CBC personality Grant Lawrence as "a confident bridge towards sultry soul and classic, smoky jazz." Listeners voted Crissi among the Top 10 Best New Artists nationwide in CBC's 2014 Searchlight contest, her song “Pretty Words” has gone viral on Spotify with more than 11 million listens, and her song "A Damn Shame" was placed in the ABC television show Nashville. Her music has been heard across Canada on CBC Radio 1, 2, and 3, and has charted on campus/community radio. Today she is the wife of songwriter/bassist Michael Paul (Soul Brother Mike, The Walkervilles, Michou), and has been seen sharing stages with Walk Off The Earth, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Sarah Harmer, and Jesse Cook. She is presently at work on a new album, to be released in 2018.

Stream free.

<a href="http://crissicochrane.bandcamp.com/album/little-sway">Little Sway by Crissi Cochrane</a>

Download mp3.
https://crissicochrane.bandcamp.com/

Website.
http://crissicochrane.com/

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/CrissiCochrane

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

2. CRYSTAL STARR : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist Of The Year 2018 - Crystal Starr

Bio.
Starr is a powerful and committed advocate and spokeswoman for fostered and adopted youth – She has dedicated her gift of song and production to the advancement of uplifting and inspiring women and children. Specifically through her work as Co-founder of Little Voices, a non profit that produces concerts and internships for foster youth around the world.

Stream free.

Download mp3.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/crystal-starr/356546952?1001lIDW

Website.
https://www.youtube.com/user/crystalstarrknighton

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/IamCrystalStarr

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

3. COOLIDGE : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist Of The Year 2018 - Coolidge

Bio.
Drevo Coolidge, whose real name is Courtney Vincent Moore was born February 1, 1989. The rapper is originally of Bermudian decent. He’s from the island Somerset Sandy’s Parrish. He relocated to Jackson Ms at a very young age. His father was in and out of his life, which caused him to be raised by his single mother. Between age 13 and 14, he began rapping over beats and realized that music was his passion. Years later, he went on to record a platinum record titled “Bermuda”, inspired by his father. The two reunited when his dad heard his song on the radio. In 2017, the song became a platinum hit. Millions of people worldwide were reciting his famous hook, “High tide for a shooter, ocean water with my moolah.” In August 2018, he released his highly anticipated mixtape, “Music Therapy” hosted by Hoodrich’s own DJ Pretty Boy Tank. On September 11th, he released the single, “Lost Time” which he dedicated to those families affected by the 9/11 tragedy.

Stream free.

Download mp3.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/drevo-coolidge/947632413?1001lIDW

Website.
https://soundcloud.com/drevocoolidge

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/drevocoolidge

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

4. CHINGY : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist Of The Year 2018 - Chingy

Bio.
Back at home in St. Louis, there is a calm in speaking to Chingy. You have to remind yourself that you're talking to the artist who pushed out hits like "Right Thur" and "Pulling Me Back." On the brink of his new album, "Chinglology," I had the chance to catch up with him. So what's changed since we last saw Chingy. There is a sense of self-awareness and accountability. A corner has most definitely been turned and he is looking to correct past behavior. "I want to become more of a leader," he says in looking back at lessons learned over the years. He uses words like "Positive" and "Great" in describing where he wants to go not just with this album but in life moving forward. A spiritual awakening of sorts is present in his energy and reflective in the album, specifically with the track "King Judah" which pays homage to the origins of the African man. Yes, it's deep. However don't sleep on Chingy's ability to put together hits, especially those to keep the ladies entertained. This will all be done tastefuly as he's taken the route of not disrespecting women, or beefing with other artists. Sounds like Chingy could be that breath of fresh air we've all been waiting for. On the current state of hip-hop, he believes there needs to be more positivity. "These kids don't know," says Chingy referring to the drugs and violence, which seem to be a theme in the ever changing rap game. That being said, he does like the work of artists like Drake, Wale, and Wiz Khalifa. Chingy was recently featured on VH1's reality show, "Couples Therapy." The show is built on the idea of couples trying to fix a relationship. He says that he learned a lot during that process, and that it was real and not an act for the cameras. It doesn't stop there... From 2013 to Now he's been working on a new reality show called "Business with The Baileys" a collaboration with his mom & sister, revamped his record label "FullDekk" & released the mixtape "FullDekk Fulloisphy" that features STL Artist, he's been to Australia not once but twice co-headlining with Fabolous & Omarion then again for a solo run and has released two singles on iTunes "Falling & "Damn Girl" while still touring all around the US. Chingy is a busy man and has no problem managing all these ventures. The way he sees it, why not succeed at all levels so long as the people and experience involved are all positive.

Stream free.

Download mp3.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/chingy/2903115?1001lIDW

Website.
http://fulldekk.com/

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/ChingyFulldekk

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

5. TREVOR OHLSEN : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist of the Year 2018 - Trevor Ohlsen

Bio.
Based out of Michigan, USA, Trevor's music, according to EarToTheGroundMusic has "depth to the songwriting that feels familiar, yet fresh." The "more I listen to it, the more I like it" kind of music. Often compared to artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ohlsen "is carving out his own niche with a sincerity and bright tenor vocal that is sure to make him many fans." Vocals, Guitar / Trevor Ohlsen

Stream free.

Download mp3.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/trevor-ohlsen/492878779?1001lIDW

Website.
http://www.trevorohlsen.com

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/TrevorOhlsen

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

6. HANNAH GILL : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist Of The Year 2018 - Hannah Gill

Bio.
Hannah Gill & The Hours combines '70s lo-fi pop and rock with contemporary soul and blues and transforms them into sweet and sultry songs that overflow with passionate feelings. Steered by the creative direction and voice of soulful 19-year old vocal powerhouse and songwriter Hannah Gill combined with skilled guitarist, songwriter and arranger Brad Hammonds, the group offers up music with contagious melodies and mindful lyrics. Each song presents a thrilling story about how humans connect through their experiences and reveals the intrepid singer’s intimate perspectives on love, loss, longing, hope and transformation. Gill’s lush voice, Hammonds’ sparkling fretwork and both members’ background in improvisational jazz give the duo’s hypnotic recordings and dynamic live performances otherworldly gravity. Hannah Gill & The Hours’ debut EP, The Water was released on iTunes on the 13th of May, 2016.

Stream free.

Download mp3.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/hannah-gill-the-hours/1096300714?1001lIDW

Website.
http://hannahgillandthehours.com/

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/HannahGillMusic

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

7. IDRISE : .

SRL Independent Music Awards 2018 - Artist Of The Year 2018 - Idrise

Bio.
Dedicated, driven and ambitious are just a few words that describe Idrise. He is a singer, songwriter, sound engineer and all round producer and his creative flair knows no bounds. His sound is rich, unique and authentic, and is a product of his love for music of the '70s, '80s and '90s - a sound that attracks listeners and fans from almost any demographic. He is a pioneer in a lane of his own, a genre which he likes to call “Pop & B”. Idrise is Fluent in 4 languages, is a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force, and has a degree in Arabic studies. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California where he began singing and dancing; all throughout middle school and high school taking part in everything from choirs to break-dance crews. Soon after graduating high-school, he felt the need to be on stage again and with this intense desire, he went on to back-up dance for a pop artist in Southern California, performing at several venues in the area including the House of Blues, in Hollywood. In 2010, while stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, USA he stepped into the booth to record his first single and has never looked back since.

Stream free.

Download mp3.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/idrise/446694741?1001lIDW

Website.
http://idrise.com/

Twitter.
https://twitter.com/IdriseMusic

Vote:

Alternatively, post in the voting section below to vote.

☆ VOTE ★

Vote for your favorite of the 7 official nominees or browse the contenders further down and nominate someone by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also nominate independent (indie), emerging, unsigned, underground and upcoming artists who are not on the official list of contenders. Start your comment with the word "NOMINATE", followed by ARTIST/BAND NAME and AWARD CATEGORY to nominate. Vote for 1 of the 7 official nominees to win the award at anytime by starting your comment with the ARTIST/BAND NAME and AWARD CATEGORY. You can also vote by Tweeting the aforementioned @SkunkRadioLive on Twitter.

CONTENDERS.Vote for your favorite contenders below to help them secure 1 of the 7 nominee slots. Tweet NOMINATE ARTIST/BAND NAME and the AWARD CATEGORY @SkunkRadioLive or post at the bottom of this page. If you know an Independent Artist, Band or Musician that is not listed here, please nominate them as well.

Artist of the Year '18: Stream on YouTube, Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify | SRL