Skillful Man

by Olana

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Skillful Man Tee – limited edition screen-printed T-shirt.

AS Colour ‘Moss’ tee in 100% combed cotton.

Regular fit, crew neck, pre-shrunk. Screen-printed in Melbourne.

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	1.	Skillful Man 04:06	lyrics	buy track
	Selam selam Selam newi inidēti newi This song goes out to the skillful people We talking about skillful things We talking about skillful man Skillful woman And skillful children Talking and we thinking We're talking about skill things Mechanics things Taxi drivers things Teachers things Bank managers things Carpenters things Engineers things Skill things Cleaner things Skill man things Yes Carpenters, engineers, electricians Skillful man and skillful woman Skill man things Skill woman things Skill Skillful man And skillful woman Rastaman things Hmm? You’re a skillful woman You're a skillful man Car-selling man things Businesswoman things Security things Recording things Single ladies skills Life things Professional things Factory things Computer things Construction things Dishwashing things Teachers, electrician, doctors, lawyers Do things Cook things, wash things, count things You got skills Monday to Friday, seven till four, eight hours a day Eight hours a day, sometimes six hours a day, doing things That's a skill It's New Year Happy New Year my friends, and happy birthday And congratulations You're doing well It's weekend Enjoy Doing things Yeah Ah, I forget Ah, I remember Skill man things Skill woman things Skill Skillful man And skillful woman Rastaman things Hmm? You’re a skillful woman You're a skillful man Things I know, things you know, things we know Things I know Speak, as I speak, it’s a skill Do things well, I do the skill Sending love to all my brothers and sisters who got skill Monday to Friday One love Peace You got skill, you know?

about

Acclaimed Ethiopian-Norwegian visual artist Olana Janfa today shares his musical debut, ‘Skillful Man’ out via NLV Records. LISTEN HERE.

Produced by Swick (M.I.A, Diplo, Tkay Maidza), ‘Skillful Man’ marks the first musical outing for the Naarm/Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist, who in just a few short years has established an instantly recognisable presence locally and internationally for his unique style of self-expression and playful perspective on everything from politics to privilege and pop culture.

With his artwork deftly positioning sharp cultural commentary and satire alongside his signature bold imagery, Olana has emerged as a unique new voice on the Australian art scene, and his work has appeared across large-scale murals, book illustration, fashion collaborations and creative projects with names including Nike, Nicholas Daley, NGV, SBS and more. Along the way, he’s garnered widespread local and international media recognition with outlets including Vogue UK, Vogue Living, It’s Nice That, Hypebeast, ABC TV, SBS Radio, Broadsheet, The Design Files, The Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Design Review and Fashion Journal, among others.

His voyage into songwriting and performance sees Olana dive deep into his passion for Jamaican music to craft a lyrical sound that represents a fitting sonic translation of his distinctive visual aesthetic. Set against a deep reggae bassline, melodic flute and bright kineticism, Olana opens with a welcome in his native Amharic tongue before launching into a witty broken-English monologue that shines a light on the working class and the everyday deeds that keep the world turning; offering an upbeat nod to the unheralded ‘skillful people’ who earn their living in factories, kitchens and taxis.

'Skillful Man' travels through Olana’s richly nuanced worldview with a distinctive offbeat reggae sound that captures his fearless creative approach, of which Olana shares: “Music has always been a big part of the art that I make – reggae, hip hop and afrobeat lyrics have often been a starting place for my works. Sometimes just one line is enough to inspire a new painting.”

Having met Swick in Melbourne's northern suburbs in late 2023, the pair instantly connected and organically forged a creative partnership. Of the collaboration, Olana explains “When I linked up with Swick over ice cream last year we quickly bonded over a shared passion for music, art, Africa and soccer. Heading into his studio was unintentional, very organic. In his quiet way, Swick got me to put my thoughts down and get on the mic. There’s an easy energy between us that just made everything flow.”

credits

released April 5, 2024

Stream + Download: nlvrecords.ffm.to/skillfulman

Written by Olana & Swick
Produced & Mixed by Swick
Mastered by Suture Mastering

Artwork by Olana
Visualiser by Adam Dal Pozzo

© NLV Records 2024 / NLVR0191

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about

Olana Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne-based Ethiopian-Norwegian artist Olana has teamed up with acclaimed producer Swick (M.I.A, Diplo, Tkay Maidza), for his maiden voyage into songwriting and performance. His debut track 'Skillful Man' sees Olana dive deep into his passion for Jamaican music to craft a lyrical sound that represents a fitting sonic translation of his distinctive creative aesthetic. ... more