With a combination of young up and comers, as well as an array of established acts, Riverwest Public House was the scene for a full lineup of a hip hop show a couple weeks ago. Arguably the most established act on the bill was Mech & Drez, who have made their name, holding their own in Milwaukee hip hop for several years. The duo knows how to use the stage properly, and that’s evident in the clip below. Check out the video:
The January 2nd Show at Riverwest Public House was a mix of new and established artists from around the city, and in the middle of the night, well-known emcee Burleigh Slam made his way to the stage. While only having one song, his cameo added to an already solid lineup of performers. Burleigh managed to make the most of his short time on stage, representing the Burleigh Zoo, and getting the crowd into his song, which you can check out below:
I’ve been hard at work for the past few days editing videos from the January 2nd show at Riverwest Public House. That night was the first time that I saw King David perform. While handling his own in the cypher that started off the show, he put together a solid set, getting the crowd set up for the more established acts to follow. While he had a couple bobbles here and there, he did his thing. Get introduced to King David in the video below:
After a more than impressive “Silkies And House Shoes” album, emcee extraordinaires Haz Solo and Tay Butler are back, in preparation of the sequel. From that, we get the first track, “Smack Tape”, a smooth track produced by Came One. If you’ve followed Milwaukee hip hop for the better part of the last decade, you know that Haz brings it on literally everything he does. The same goes for Tay, as the two alternate slick lines on an out and out great beat. “Silkies And House Shoes 2” is going to be something spectacular, and “Smack Tape” is just the beginning. Check it out:
It seems like nobody is playing around in 2015, and leading the charge is Pizzle. His latest appearance is a feature on this track from Johnny Juliano’s upcoming album “Trapsylvania”. With a super laid back trap beat from Johnny Juliano and help from Cardo, both emcees show off their contrasting styles. Juliano keeps things smooth, riding the beat with a simple flow. Pizzle, on the other hand, starts slow, and then launches into his signature rapid fire verbal attack, absolutely murdering the beat. Give it a listen below. 2015 is about to be a big year.
Dee Phr3sh! is just one of several artists in Milwaukee that are evolving past simply releasing music, into finely tuning their craft so that the world can see it shine in all of it’s deserved glory. That is evident on new track, “Vanish”, part of his “Soule” project to be released later this year. The production on this track from Hucci is completely bonkers, and it is clear that Dee is learning a lot from Pizzle, who mixed and mastered the track. With a focus on making 2015 the best year possible for himself, we’ll be seeing a lot more from Dee. If it’s anything like “Vanish”, we’re in for a treat. Stream the track below:
Milwaukee emcee DayNAge continues to make his presence felt in the city, with a recent set at Riverwest Public House. After a strong showing in the cypher at the beginning of the show, in which he put together three freestyle verses, he threw down a great performance, encompassing the many sides of his skills within half an hour on stage. To close out his show, he performed “Patriotic Ways”, as seen below. With every glimpse that we get of his ability, DayNAge continues to prove himself as one of the more underrated artists in Milwaukee. Check out the video below:
More video from last week’s show at Riverwest Public House. After the cypher, Young Turk had the always difficult task of opening the show. However, unlike most shows, the crowd was already into it, and after his verse in the cypher, were more than willing to watch him perform. Turk definitely did his thing, putting down a solid half hour of tracks with MC Mikal on the tables. Check out a clip of “Come And Get It” below:
A little late to this, but last week we were at the Riverwest Public House for Klutch, DayNAge, and a host of others. The show kicked off with a cypher, and plenty of local names came out to make an appearance. This definitely had a very old school hip hop feel to it, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone with the enthusiasm for hip hop that host Mic Crawf has. Check out the cypher below, featuring Klutch, DayNAge, Young Turk, Son Em’ All, Prynce Picasso, King David, and MC Mikal. Plenty more footage from this show to come in the next few days:
Plaga hit me up tonight with a brand new track he produced, and it’s definitely some heat for a freezing winter day. All three emcees go in on the track, and there’s an ultra-smooth beat from a consistently strong producer. If you aren’t rapping along at some point, you’ll be singing the hook. This is definitely an all-star roster doing their thing, and I’d expect it to get plenty of spins. I’ve already played it a few times. Check out the track below:
Milwaukee emcee BKnitts isn’t wasting any time starting off 2015 properly. On New Year’s Day, he released his latest tape “Waves” as a free download. With his share of boom-bap style and some trippy, spaced-out effects along the way, he keeps it moving all in one smooth package. Also… this is a really long tape. Clocking in at over an hour and ten minutes and 26 tracks, there’s plenty of music on here for you to check out. Clearly, BKnitts put in some serious work for this one. Check out “Waves” below:
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is K. Diver, a severely underrated emcee with a dynamic flow. While many other rappers try to stretch their lyrical muscles and fall into the backpack rap category, and others focus more on their beat selection than their lyrics, KD finds just the right balance to avoid the backpack or trap labels. This blending of styles is most present on his new release, “The Epic: Journey of Life to Escape Death”, which dropped earlier this week.
K.Diver launches into a lyrical assault from the beginning of “Merci & Lagos”, which is definitely a way to start off a project and make a release memorable. “Southern California” features a sample of Frank Ocean’s “Thinking About You”, with an ode to hanging out with girls and California’s most famous cash crop. Rather than keeping things simple, KD opts to keep his roll going, with adlibs that somehow become a freestyle, and it’s clear that things are in full flex mode. On the recently release “Ace & Mitch”, you can bounce to K. Diver & AllCashTtyme’s flow, let alone the spacey beat provided by Koen.
In fact, along with the vocals, the production on “The Epic” is on point as well, too. “Like That” features an absolutely filthy synth line from Wantigga, and “Chandeliers” is a smooth canvas for KD & Dee Phr3sh! to spaz on. A little more than halfway into the project, and there’s very little weak spots to be found. “Gold Florence x BankRoll” is an absolute banger, with some tripped out vocals added by Deonte Neely. That momentum carries onto the chilled out “What They Lack”, and you can tell that KD is relentless on the microphone.
It’s undeniable that “The Epic: Journey of Life to Escape Death” is a quality project from start to finish. The truth is, K. Diver has had records of this quality for a while, and people are starting quickly catch wind of who he is as an artist. It appears as though if this momentum keeps up, K. Diver will be doing his part to carve his name even further into the Milwaukee music scene. Check out “The Epic: Journey of Life to Escape Death” below:
You may remember Dahm & Mashio as previous Milwaukee Artist of the Week picks, but the duo has progressed since that time. This time around, they’ve put out an expansion on their album, “Illuminati Shxt”, which originally dropped in April. With a whole bunch of new material, the group keeps on growing their body of work. Oh, and they still have the lyrical chops to go with it. Check out the album below via BandCamp:
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is Sonick, an established emcee whose name isn’t as well known as most in the city, but carries enough talent to make that change. Much like Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonick’s game is all about speed. This past August, he released his album, “This Is Me”. While already having several mixtapes out, the project served as an introduction to Sonick on a much larger scale, and was our first introduction to his flow as well.
Right out of the gate, you can see why Sonick calls himself the “Man of Speed”. With an impeccable double time flow, it’s clear he’s not playing games when he gets on the track. The comparisons to Twista are easy, but unlike the Chicago emcee that made the speed-flow popular, Sonick can switch it up on the same verse and it doesn’t sound forced. One track in, and you can see that “This Is Me” will be full of tongue-twisting lyrical aerobics.
As the project progresses, you can see the talent radiate from Sonick, as well as featured artists Futro, Phoenyxxx Flame, and Numoney. His beat selection helps propel what he does in terms of lyrical flexing; without any over-the-top production, the tracks are centered around the verses, which definitely is not the case for many rappers. In other words, Sonick doesn’t need to rely on the beat to impress you. However, in the case of “Standin Ovation”, the club is definitely in mind with a beat that’s guaranteed to get stuck in your head.
Throughout “This Is Me”, Sonick shows off the many facets of his sound. He’s in the club on “Standin Ovation”, slowing things down on “On Yo Body”, and tough as nails on “Act Like You Know” and “Nuthin 2 Lose”. While the argument could be made that this is a bit of a project that is all over the place, within just seven tracks Sonick tries to showcase all of his range. Regardless of which style you prefer, there’s no denying that Sonick brought it on this project. Check out “This Is Me” below:
More footage from this past weekend at Cactus Club, this time in the form of emcee J. Todd. If there’s ever been a competition for a Milwaukee anthem, this song definitely makes a strong case to be at the top. With one of the hardest beats in recent years, and a hook that you can’t help but like, this is just a banger, plain and simple. And it doesn’t have to be more than that. As an added bonus, we threw in Kid Cut Up’s trap remix of the song, too, because why not? Try to contain your turn up. Check out the video below:
Kicking off Kid Millions & The Sounds of Time’s record release show last weekend, AUTOMatic showed they know how to get the party going with their live show. The group has been around Milwaukee in various capacities for years, including being part of the House Of M collective before it split, but A.P.R.I.M.E. and Trellmatic seem to hit their stride best as a duo. Their styles complement each other best, with a blend of true hip hop that isn’t always easy to find in the mainstream. Check out the video from the show below:
Kid Millions, DJ Deadbeat, and Sage Schwarm took the stage at the Cactus Club this past weekend to a full room. The show celebrated the release of their sophomore album as a collective, fittingly titled “… Again”. While this is their second release, all three have been prominent in Milwaukee music for much longer than the time it has taken to put together two projects. Check out a couple videos from the show below, with footage from openers AUTOMatic and JTODD coming soon. “Emergency” is from the new album, and “Victim To The Beat” may be Kid Millions legacy in Milwaukee, the single from his solo effort “Recession Proof Rap” that garnered steady airplay after it was released:
“Emergency”
“Victim To The Beat”
Hip hop is funny in the sense that it can truly exist anywhere. In that sense, it can also carry over into poetry and spoken word at times. On Friday night, Milwaukee emcees DayNAge & Genesis Renji took their track, “Changed” and performed it as part of a spoken word open mic at Marquette University. When these two get together, they do not dissapoint in terms of performance. Check out the duo in the video below:
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is Klutch, an up-and-coming artist that blends hip hop, pop, and a touch of rock, while promoting positivity in his music. Earlier this week, he released his debut EP, “Death To Self”, the latest in a series of moves helping him grow as an artist.
Prior to his musical endeavors, Klutch had made his name as a videographer, working alongside several big names in Milwaukee. In addition to the video work, he was also a student to the music scene in the city, prepping himself to take his own step into the spotlight the right way. “Death To Self” is that step, but not without important precursors along the way. Klutch has begun to hone his live show, building up his stage performance as he goes. That being said, there is no shortage of enthusiasm in his performance, as he appears comfortable playing shows for 10 people or hundreds of fans at The Rave. In fact, he has recently done both, entertaining smaller venue crowds, as well as a successful opening slot for MKTO in front of a packed house.
“Death To Self” is as much of a personal record as it is Klutch’s first big introduction to the music scene. With only one feature throughout the EP, it is clearly Klutch’s time to shine, as he carves out his own lane while developing his sound. Led by single “Long Way To Go”, he has a knack for creating catchy, mainstream-ready music. If it hits the right ears, there’s no telling where that could take his career.
With a combination of talent, as well as becoming versed in the business side of making music, Klutch is making strides to take his music to the next level. As he continues to move forward, expect to hear his name more frequently, and definitely keep an ear open for more new music. In the meantime, check out the “Long Way To Go” video, and you can pick up “Death To Self” via iTunes by clicking here.
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is Cardiac Da Pulse, an up and coming emcee with a passion to keep building on his craft. His latest release, “The Shaded Grey EP”, is his chance to introduce himself to the world as an artist. The rest of the project is his story to tell.
From opener “100 Million”, it’s clear that Cardiac has his eyes on the prize. There’s a desire there to make his name, and ultimately come into the money that goes with making your name. Single “See Me Fall” helps reiterate that music, especially within Milwaukee, isn’t an easy climb. However, Cardiac makes his case known on this project. When you hear it, you can tell that he puts everything into his delivery. With a gritty voice, and the help of some quality production behind him, you hear the determination in his tracks.
As the project moves forward, you can tell that his has the feel of an album at times, though it’s packaged as an EP. Along the way, we get to hear cameos from notable names in the Milwaukee area. Featuring production from Derelle Rideout, Mammyth, and a plethora of others, Cardiac gets to flow over a variety of different styles, each producer putting their own spin on things. The album was also mastered by Moses of Higher Education Records, and the “See Me Fall” video was shot by notable producer 40 Mil. It’s clear that he recognizes how a network can help a net worth, and you’ll see that in the quality of “The Shaded Grey EP.”
With the EP as his first solo project, it’s clear that Cardiac Da Pulse has the knack for making veteran moves in a rookie position. As he continues to create and put out new projects, look for his sound to evolve while he creates a more definitive sound. Knowing his determination to succeed, it’s possible that he is already in the earliest of stages on preparing a follow up. Check out “The Shaded Grey EP” below:
Producer Honorable C-Note let out a gem of a remix from his upcoming project with Gucci Mane. With additional production from Zaytoven, 8Bars, & Justice League, this track is worth the group effort. Oh, and it’s a big look for Milwaukee rapper Pizzle, who joins big company in Gucci Mane and Rich Homie Quan, too. Personally, I actually think Pizzle had the best verse of the three, as well. Check out the track below:
Are you a Milwaukee musician/band? You can submit your music to be the Milwaukee Artist of the Week by emailing links to info@BreakingAndEntering.net. We’ll check out every submission we get!
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is EL, a young kid with a maturity not seen by many rappers at his age. In the clutter of braggadocio rap that Milwaukee can sometimes get caught up in, EL isn’t trying to be anything that he’s not. His latest release, Elevation, showcases that mentality. EL’s delivery is laid back, with an overload of smooth production from the likes of Derelle Rideout, Jay B, and more. Features from Klassik, Grand Markese, and JK The Rapper contribute to the flow of Elevation, as well. Elevation is a truly complete project, with consistency from start to finish.
What is really great about Elevation, though, is that nobody is trying to do too much with their part of the mixtape. It would have been very easy for E.L. as a young artist to come out of the gate full of energy, rapping about girls, cars, and money. On the contrary, Elevation sounds almost effortless from everyone involved. EL especially makes it look easy with his flow on tracks like “Gawds”, “Modern Warfare”, and the mixtape’s title track. Plain and simple, EL makes Elevation great because he just raps. He doesn’t try to go over your head, he doesn’t try to go harder than everyone else, he just raps. EL definitely put a lot of effort into Elevation, creating something that is very hard to achieve in hip hop today: simplicity. If you get a chance, cruise the lakefront to this tape before the end of summer. You can download it here via HotNewHipHop.
For more EL, follow him on Twitter.
Are you a Milwaukee musician/band? You can submit your music to be the Milwaukee Artist of the Week by emailing links to info@BreakingAndEntering.net. We’ll check out every submission we get!
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is Jermaine Event, one of the barrage of talented emcees that make up Higher Education Records. We were first introduced to Jermaine when he sent over tracks for our MKE Radio player, and we’ve been checking up for more from him ever since. Event put together a solid EP with his “Uncle Tom’s EP” release in 2012, and is a major contributor to Higher Education’s “Lesson II” Mixtape, released earlier this week.
Lyrically, Jermaine holds his own with the rest of the Higher Education crew, and shows that on Lesson II. The mixtape also gives him a chance to show off his range on a variety of beats, as exemplified by his verses on “Carousel” opposed to “Bed and Breakfast”, two very different songs. With a flow that isn’t exactly backpack, yet definitely not the “I’ve got more (insert anything) than you” swagger rapper, Jermaine carves out his own unique style.
Jermaine is a big part of Higher Education Records, a group with an ever-building buzz in Milwaukee. Event was part of the label’s showcase at South by Southwest, and adds his own flavor to most HER showcases, in Milwaukee and beyond. Check out a live version of “My Name’s Jermaine” from the Uncle Tom’s EP below, along with the rest of the EP:
Click here to check out “Higher Education Presents: Lesson II”
For more Jermaine Event, follow him on Twitter, and check out the HER Facebook and website.
Are you a Milwaukee musician/band? You can submit your music to be the Milwaukee Artist of the Week by emailing links to info@BreakingAndEntering.net. We’ll check out every submission we get!
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is hip hop standout The Cranberry Show, a duo consisting of Arcane and Young Focus. If you frequent hip hop blogs, especially yesterday, you have probably already heard of The Cranberry Show. Yesterday, Arcane and Young Focus released “The Jellyfish Theory”, their sixth official release. The tape premiered on 2DopeBoyz, one of the biggest hip hop blogs, and since then has also made its way to the front page of DJBooth.net, GlobalGrind‘s Music Page, and Chicago’s Fake Shore Drive, amongst countless others. And that’s just in the first day. If that doesn’t impress you, then it should be noted that they’ve also been interviewed by Thisis50.com, and have graced the pages of XXL Magazine as well.
Coverage aside, the sound of The Cranberry Show is something that is constantly evolving. Every one of their releases has shown progression from the duo, and The Jellyfish Theory is no exception. Throughout every release, though, both Young Focus and Arcane have shown tremendous lyrical skill, writing instantly quotable lines and metaphors (My personal favorite is “Chicks picture me ballin’ like NBA cameramen” from their 2010 R.A.N. mixtape). The Jellyfish Theory takes their flows to a new level, though, including the back and forth banter on “Mortimer”, one of the EP’s standouts. TCS have shown a dynamic range over the course of all of their releases, from 2010’s light-hearted Sex and Pencil Shavings up to this point. If you hadn’t heard of The Cranberry Show by now, they’re definitely a duo to keep your eye on. With their eyes on the elusive next level of hip hop, expect even bigger things from them going forward.
Check out “Gravity”, the lead single from The Jellyfish Theory:
Check out The Jellyfish Theory via 2DopeBoyz:
For more The Cranberry Show, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and their website.
Are you a Milwaukee musician/band? You can submit your music to be the Milwaukee Artist of the Week by emailing links to info@BreakingAndEntering.net. We’ll check out every submission we get!
This week’s Milwaukee Artist of the Week is DayNAge, a young emcee determined to take his career to the next level, no matter what. While determination is one thing, having the skill to back it up is another, but DayNAge definitely isn’t lacking there, either. This week, he released “Time Heals”, a 12 solo effort that is definitely a standout compared to most mixtapes that come out around this time of year. While time may heal for DayNAge, it also helps his music, because it is apparent from the sound of this release that he took his time to create a dynamic, unique sound. The influences are wide ranging on “Time Heals” as well. Some tracks have an influence from artists like Lupe Fiasco and Kendrick Lamar, but others draw influence from 90s R&B and soul music.
While it would be impressive to have just this release on his resume for this year, DayNAge was also featured as part of the WORDLife Camp on Deep Thinkers, a mixtape that came out at the beginning of the year. Featured is actually an understatement; he was on 11 of 14 tracks. With that said, DayNAge has verses for days. A storyteller with the microphone, DayNAge lets you into his life with his lyrics, showing you where he is in his life and his determination to get to the elite status of mainstream hip hop. Check out Time Heals and Deep Thinkers below, and be on the lookout for more from DayNAge in the near future.
Time Heals
Deep Thinkers
For more DayNAge, follow him on Twitter and check out his Bandcamp.
