Aooowwwwww Milwaukee’s on the set!! And as usual, The Mad Bloggers are bringing you the music that you need to hear. We are notorious for sharing good music. No SPAM!! Milwaukee is doing big things folks. If you haven’t seen our featured artists, I suggest you check them out.
The Umbrella Music Group is set to deliver another bangin’ project. If you are not familiar, check out UmbrellasUp.com and see what they are all about. Misen Lync is a group of three UMG artists - Maal Himself, Toine Jay and TKS. They are getting preparing to release "Both Sides of the Mirror" soon.
Thanks to Maal Himself and Toine Jay, they were able to push us a preview copy. The Mad Bloggers were able to catch a sneak peek at what they were putting together and as expected, Misen Lync delivered solid tracks. “Chasing Success” is one of my favorite tracks. Lyrics with substance are a big thing for me. I appreciate a track with lyrics that make me raise my eyebrows and say… “Word?” Another one of my favorites is “Dual Reflections”... “The Future Is Me” These songs focus around success and the hard work and struggle that comes with attaining it. And the beat is definitely head nod worthy. I can’t give up anymore because then you’ll have nothing to look forward to. The completed project drops February 15th and it will be postd on UmbrellasUp.com.
This Project is definitely on rotation in my iPod!!
He's a storyteller from the Midwest. Rarely do you run across people who give you music that is truly a reflection of themselves and their thoughts. Frankie Flowers is one of those people.
He released his sophomore album, "New Beginning," which is more and more showing why people should look to Frankie to provide a great deal of knowledge and guidance in his music, and it shows in his craftsmanship. Here, Frankie tells us the creation of two of his most important songs; "Black In America" off "The Storyteller," and "Chasing Dreams" off "New Beginning." As a note from me; the words here are of Frankie Flowers. No alteration has been made.
Black In America
I just left from the studio in North Hollywood heading home. I was sitting on the couch with my laptop going through CDs full of beats that an engineer wanted me to check out. This track came on with this sample that touched me deeply. All I kept hearing was the sample repeating in my head “try…to understand…the way you feel…the world for them…is too unreal…so you’ll only hear………only hear…”. Right then I began breaking down the sample into meanings.
1. “Try…and understand…the way you feel”-I had just finished talking with someone who asked how did I like being out in Los Angeles, being that I’m from Milwaukee. The move was a culture shock because out in LA I rarely saw many blacks outside on a daily basis, unlike in Milwaukee. The blacks that I did encounter were very bourgeois or standoffish, and at times were nonsocial to an outsider like myself. Then dealing with other ethnicities became a hassle as well because they were either making fun of blacks, or believing everything they had seen from TV about blacks, mainly BET or UPN.
2. “The world for them…is too unreal”-my experience out in California felt like the MTV show Real World. It was surreal at times. Most people whom I met from Cali never had to leave so they thought that partying, shopping and being at the beach all the time was the way of life for all. On the flip side, “the world for them is too unreal” was taken into context of “them” being black people. Even now more blacks are enslaved through the prison complex and are in a mental state of solace.
3. “So all you hear…”-I sat and thought about what a man told me while riding the bus and subways a few nights before. He said “none of us was ever supposed to be free”. He felt that the actions of blacks in modern day were outrageous. Lack of unity, low morals, no respect for self and no motivation to help our own gave the rest of the world reason to believe the stereotypical images from all media outlets. As “only hear…” repeats throughout the song, I thought about what I’ve heard throughout my life about what people thought “being black” really means.
So throughout the song, I give my opinion on what being Black in America is as a black man. I touch on issues the black community face like black men running away from the responsibility of fatherhood, black men trying to make a quick dollar from the sale of drugs, and trying to prove their toughness or machismo by having guns.
Chasing Dreams
I was on a flight back home to Milwaukee looking out the window admiring the greenery. As I looked out the window, I thought about all the ups and downs I’ve experienced while living out there, and was trying to decide if I wanted to return. The song opens up with me asking the listeners “would you believe or doubt someone if they told you a year from today your life’s going to change if you follow your heart?” That is what I was told prior to moving out west. I chose the title “chasing dreams” because a lot of naysayers said it would be foolish for me to leave my job and everyone I knew, to move across country chasing a dream.
I was angry and frustrated for numerous reasons. I had gone from a place of comfort to an unknown land. I had no support from my uncle who initially convinced me to move west, and ultimately abandoned me after deals did not go through. Eventually I became homeless and ended up doing whatever I could to make it. Being homeless was a humbling experience. I learned valuable life lessons and also it allowed me to control my emotions at the same time express myself more poignantly. So when I started writing this song, I wanted people to be able to relate to pain in general. The pain of not having, of feeling betrayed, of feeling like a failure, and even questioning ones faith. I thought that my hometown had it rough during the beginning stages of the recession, but while out west I witnessed poverty on another level. I couldn’t foresee other people’s hardships while living in a secluded environment such as Milwaukee.
“Once I opened up my third eye I knew what it’s like there” is a reference to me finally waking up to the reality of many living in harsh conditions everywhere, as stated in the second verse. I also wanted people to have a sense of hope after fully listening to this song. Many of us all have heard “be careful for what you wish for, because you just might get it” growing up. Sometimes we go searching for something not realizing it’s been right in our face all along. I felt I had to leave to fully find what I was looking for. But had I not taken that chance and followed my heart, I wouldn’t have seen all that I’ve seen nor would I have a better understanding about life’s quest for us all. Maybe chasing dreams isn’t so bad after all? Only you can make that decision though.
Our journey to Hip-Hop continues with Milwaukee born and raised, SPEAK Easy. I dig SPEAK Easy's music. It's real. I was impressed by his "Well Spoken" album and look forward to his new project, "...So To Speak". Catch a leak off that joint below.
I reached out to the homie for a Q&A.
The Mad Bloggers: Where did you grow up?
SPEAK Easy: North/North-West side of Milwaukee. My grand parents were tremendous providers.
TMB: How long have you been doing music?
SPEAK Easy: I've been spittin for over 14 years from cyphers to talent shows to albums and venues.
TMB: I know you have a "9-5" trying to influence young people, how does that impact your music?
SPEAK Easy: My 9-5 is to serve youth in Milwaukee with mental health concerns and their families. My music paints a picture of something they can relate to all the while maintaining artistic integrity.
TMB: Which one of your tracks best describes who you are as an emcee?
SPEAK Easy: On my new album '...so to SPEAK' I have a song called "Who Am I" where I really open up about who I am as a man first and as an emcee second. Off my last album 'Well Spoken' I have a track called "Ice Cold" that you guys put on your site speaks to my lyricism. Another track off that project is called "The Difference" and its an open letter to Black America addressing several things we encounter.
TMB: How would you describe your sound?
SPEAK Easy: Lyrical, inspiring and insightful messages over really dope beats. Essential Hip-Hop Music.
TMB: In your opinion, what's the state of Hip-Hop music?
SPEAK Easy: Hip-Hop music is great. When I can play Little Brother, Mos Def, Reflection Eternal and Slaughterhouse projects non-stop they have to be doing something right artistically. However, the "industry" of Hip-Hop music is suffering due to various reasons. One being that there is no balance/exposure of ALL types of Hip-Hop.
TMB: What projects are you currently working on?
SPEAK Easy: I'm working on my new album titled '...so to SPEAK.' It's put together by myself and my great friends at Grown Man Collective.
TMB: If there was one thing you'd want people to take away from Milwaukee Hip-Hop what would it be?
SPEAK Easy: That we have a lot of quality music here and we're not to be taken lightly.
Check out VV Brown's acoustic video for "Crying Blood".
VV BROWN LIVE DATES: February 15 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl (Free!) February 18 Philadelphia, PA @ Mar Bar February 19 Washington, DC @ DC9 February 22 Boston, MA @ Great Scott
Damn, I missed a Music Monday or two. I've been wrapped up with pulling together this Journey to Hip-Hop series and just living life. I figured I'd throw something out there today. I really like Nneka. If you're unfamiliar, get familiar ... ASAP! Enjoy and happy Monday.
Editor's Note: Back in September I wrote a piece about the House of M. As we explore Milwaukee's Hip-Hop scene for our Journey to Hip-Hop, I felt the need to share again for those that missed the post the first time. The House of M, "The Alternate Reality of..." is something you should purchase immediately ...
Around the time that this blog was reborn early last year, we seemed to find Milwaukee's (and Wisconsin in general) Hip-Hop scene. I’ve never been to Wisconsin nor did I know people there before but I’m happy to have found some of the Hip-Hop cooking up in the area.
As one of my favorite female Milwaukee emcee, Melissa Czarnik, said to me recently, “we are most definitely brewing something other than beer here in Milwaukee right now.”
It’s such a true statement. They are brewing up some great Hip-Hop (which should be evident by the posts in our Journey to Hip-Hop series). The House of M is one of those examples.
I found the House of M by way of Dana Coppafeel. "House of M The Alternate Reality of …" is true Hip-Hop! The crew straight out of Wisconsin is made up of producers D’Matikk, Trellmatic, Dylan Thomas and Lou-Tang; emcees Gambit, Ecko, A.P.R.I.M.E. and Dana Coppa; emcee and producer Raze and DJ DeadBeat. Together the crew creates a powerful sound, rich with classic Hip-Hop influences and a style of their own.
Their tracks are dope! Production is tight! The flow is great! The interludes are amazing! Every track is great as a solid standalone but come together nicely to tell a story of the “Mutants” that form the House of M.
What really impressed me, outside of their flow and story telling technique in tracks like Superhero Shorties, The Initiative, Superman Ain’t My Name and In Your Mind – were their interludes. Their interludes, which are thought out and well executed, poke fun at the word swag (so many variations) and some of the mainstream radio trash (including shots at auto-tune). Very few albums include interludes anymore and to me, they’re important and help make a project well rounded and complete.
The House of M delivers a complete package of well-delivered hip-hop. I strongly suggest you check out House of M The Alternate Reality of …
Scott Knoxx is a local figure in Milwaukee who's titles seem to be almost neverending. He is a rapper, DJ, Club Owner, and many more. But for him, it's about the music and its memories that give him the reason to do what he does. I was blessed to have the opportunity to speak with Scott regarding his history and so much more. Read up!
Talk about your first memories of music, especially Hip-Hop. What was the exact moment in time where you said "This is what I want to do"?
Scott Knoxx: My furthest memories go back to me & my neighbor sitting on the curb, listening to RUN DMC. I was pretending to be DMC and he’d Run. I also remember battling my brother in the kitchen while we cleaned up. I use to ask teachers to rap in front of class if we had down time, because Hip-Hop is something I’ve always loved from day one!
Being a figure in the Milwaukee scene, talk about some of your history in Milwaukee. What life experiences shaped your world view and helped shape your subject matter in your songs?
Scott Knoxx: I’m born & raised in Milwaukee, and didn’t know anything else until I was about 17, but music has always been my escape. I recall when I was about 8 or 9 years old, we stayed in a middle class neighborhood. After my parents split, we moved to Sherman Park, which is where I became a man. Life over there was different; I learned a lot from my hood, that’s why I think the folks in Milwaukee feel me, because I can tell the same experiences, so they can live through me.
What are some of your thoughts on the Hip-Hop scene in Milwaukee? What makes it unique?
Scott Knoxx: We really do Hip-Hop because we love to do Hip-Hop. If you rap here and people know who you are, it’s because your grind is crazy. There’s no strong radio presence here that’s supports home, just the streets and the club DJ’s, so that’s how you got to make your name. I run the #1 club in the city (Texture Night Club) so even if you don’t know I rap, you know who I am. I show love to the rappers from my hometown, so if you’re hot in the 414, then you’ve performed at my spot!
Talk about your discography here. What projects have you released and what makes each one its own body of work?
Scott Knoxx: I’ve done a ton of mixtapes, which can be found on datpiff.com, such as “Live from the Animal House”, “Independence Day”, “HoodFellas”, “Record Breaker Radio,” and so on. Independently I’ve released “Miltown Millionaire” and moved over 25,000 copies out of the trunk of my car. I’ve finally finished my new album, “Gorilla Monsoon: Miltown Millionaire Vol. 2”. I really wanted to establish the Animal House, since they showed me a lot of love and gave me a lot of heat. This album feels bigger, the music feels bigger, the songs are deeper, and it was done over a 2 year span. So it’s all over the place, But I feel like it’s the best project I’ve done to date. I’m also in the middle of recording a group project with Money B from Digital Underground M*A*S*K (Money B And Scott Knoxx) This is jus t one hell of a project, because we got DJ Premier Ras Kass, and Rhymefest just to name a few…. But recording wit Money B is just plain fun, and the music is always good!
Say you were showing a person around Milwaukee and its different locales for Hip-Hop. Which places to you are worth frequenting?
Scott Knoxx: Some of my favorites are Pak’s Jewelers, Envisions Clothing Store, Disc Man CD Store, and Live Wire Music. These are jus the spots that we frequent, and then a couple clubs, because I have tp show them how my Record Breaker DJ Fam run the clubs here!
Anything else you'd like to tell the folks out there?
We continue on our Journey to Hip-Hop through Milwaukee, with Dylan Thomas up next. The emcee turned producer has an impressive discography and many of the artists we've featured so far and some of the artists coming up have a track produced by Dylan Thomas. That says a lot about his influence and talent.
His tracks, dope. I dig his style, a lot. I reached out to Dylan Thomas for a Q&A. Enjoy.
The Mad Bloggers: Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
Dylan Thomas: I was born and raised in Racine, WI (25 miles south of Milwaukee). It’s a small city with a big city feel. Racine is located between Milwaukee and Chicago, so most people head north or south on the weekends.
TMB: How long have you been producing?
DT: I was an emcee before I started making beats. I really wasn’t feeling the beats that were being made in my area. My guy Robert Hollingsworth hooked me up with a computer program in the fall of 1999. That computer program was Mixman Studio Pro. I was away at college at the time but I would make a point of going home on the weekends to sample my pops extensive record collection. Me and my guy Phraim, from Chicago, pretty much freaked the program way past its potential and later graduated to Fruity Loops in 2000. Around the same time I bought the MPC 2000XL. The rest is history.
TMB: What equipment do you use to create your tracks?
DT: I still use the MPC 2000XL, Fruity Loops, stacks of records and a MicroKORG.
TMB: As a producer, who are you influenced by?
DT: I have been influenced by the greats: Dilla, Primo, Madlib, Pete Rock, Dre, and the Rza. I am also influenced by my peers that are making good music: Haz Solo, Adlib, Phraim, Dima, Lex Luthor, Trellmatic and the Ricanstrukta.
TMB: What's the concept behind All Jokes Aside?
DT:It started off with me sending beats for Haz to work on. I had done work for him on a couple of his albums prior to the All Jokes Aside album. Anyone that knows us knows that we spend a lot of time ribbing on each other and anyone around. I would always joke around that I could spit better than a lot of emcees in my area. I finally penned something, recorded it and sent it to Haz. He loved it, wrote and recorded his verse and that ended up being the first track for the album, “Don’t Turn Around.” After we played that joint for a couple of people and got some positive feedback, we basically said fuck it and decided to make a loose feeling album centered around our love for dope beats, fresh lyrics and comedy. Anyone sitting in on our studio sessions saw the chemistry was there and nothing was forced and that feeling is captured in the flow of the album.
TMB: How many projects have you worked on before And It Was Good
DT: Man, I’ve worked on tons of projects before AIWG. Some of the most significant projects were “The Vero Project” (an instrumental album 2003), “The Collective” (an album featuring six emcees 2003), “The Street Scholar” (Adebisi’s solo album. I produced eleven tracks 2005), “The Racine Stories” (Tom Wood’s solo album. I produced seven tracks 2006), “Life is a Heist” (Element’s solo album. I produced two tracks 2007), “Mo Profit, Mo Progress” (Prophetic’s solo album. I produced five tracks 2008) and all of Haz Solo’s albums (too many to count). I most recently did work on JC Poppe’s “Sleep Therapy (four tracks 2009), The House of M’s “The Alternate Reality of…” (two tracks 2009), Kash’s “Black Bauer mixtape (two tracks 2009), and One Self’s “I of the Storm (ten tracks 2010).
TMB: What projects do you have upcoming?
DT: In the near future you can hear my work on albums from Tay Butler and Frankie Flowers. I’m still working with Haz, Proph, JC Poppe and Element. I’m also working on a solo album (recorded the first two tracks today.)
TMB: If there was one thing you'd want people to take away from Milwaukee Hip-Hop what would it be?
DT: Its diverse. Its fresh. Its bubbling. Its…oh…that was three things, my bad. One thing … hmmmm … Milwaukee Hip-Hop is untapped, therefore any astute listener can pick up on how hungry we are.
"Crills" Haz Solo and Dylan Thomas [All Jokes Aside]
"Phone Sex" Haz Solo and Dylan Thomas [All Jokes Aside]
Here's a track by the Rusty Ps that I'm digging. Got that throwback Hip-Hop feel, DJ scratches and all. Milwaukee definitely has some talent. Check it out...
Shoutout to Oddisee, Blu, Exile, yU, XO, Trek Life & Fashwan for the good music dudes put out and shoutout to whoever put this mixtape together. Had to spread the word. Good music will prosper! Haha.
In preparation for our gig in Paris together on February 16th, this mix-tape was put together.
01. Frequency Modulation (prod. Exile) 02. Diamond District - Who I Be (prod. Oddisee) 03. Fashawn – Ecology (prod. Exile) 04. Trek Life – Big Picture (Remix) (prod. Oddisee) 05. Blu – Dancing In The Rain (prod. Exile) 06. Oddisee – Hip Hop’s Cool Again (prod. Oddisee) 07. yU – Thought About It (prod. yU) 08. XO – Blah Blah (prod. Oddisee) 09. Do It (prod. Blu) 10. Trek Life – Hard Work (Remix) (prod. Oddisee) 11. Fashawn feat. Exile – Bo Jackson (prod. Exile) 12. Diamond District – The District (prod. Oddisee) 13. No Mine (prod. Blu) 14. XO – Fast Life (prod. Oddissee) 15. Blu – My World Is (prod. Exile) 16. yU – Lunchin (prod. Oddisee) 17. Fashawn feat. Blu – Samsonite Man (prod. Exile) 18. Trek Life – Cold For That (prod. Oddisee) 19. The Sound Is God (prod. Exile)
Female emcees are a dying breed. Scratch that, quality female emcees are a dying breed. So, it's so refreshing when you find one. Signif, the Milwaukee born and raised emcee, is quality. Her rhymes rooted in a passion for poetry and well delivered over fresh beats.
Far too often female emcees are over sexual and tacky but Signif is the opposite.
Her bio reads, "we live in a time with a lot of fads and modern day aristocracies and people desperately seeking approval, she just want to remind everyone out there that’s 'it’s OK to be yourself.'"
Her style, "reality rap." And she's dope.
I reached out to Signif for a Q&A. Enjoy.
The Mad Bloggers: As a female emcee to you find it hard to get people to listen to your music in a male dominated industry?
Signif: Yeah. Sometimes people have these preconceived notions before they even hear me out, which is cool. I don’t really fret about it, I just keep building and creating while they continue to judge, and sleep.
TMB: How long have you been rhyming?
Signif: Since I was 8 or 9, but I started out writing poetry growing up which eventually turned into songs.
TMB: I've heard the recent project, it's dope. How many other projects have you completed?
Signif: Thank you. Just two that I actually put out there for the people. The Transition, which I just dropped, and the Flaws EP I put out in March (2009). But I have recorded over 200 tracks.
TMB: Who are your musical influences?
Signif: I grow up with more soulful influences; Marvin Gaye, Teddy P, James Brown, Luther, ect. Being a baby in the 80s remembering my parents dancing the night away to those records just intrigued me.
TMB: Which one of your tracks best describes who you are as an emcee?
Signif: Definitely "Lovely Imperfections", that’s why I revamped it for this project. I think I have a few tracks that could fill that slot though.
TMB: How would you describe your sound?
Signif: Beats, Rhymes, and Life with LaToya Smith
TMB: Who do you work with?
Signif: I have a great team of producers who keep me laced, and motivated. Shouts to Tay Lee, JBM, Gee Wiz, and Lucchi. For the most part I work with people who are willing to collaborate, and come up with something different.
TMB: What upcoming projects do you have in the works?
Signif: I have an EP in the works with Wiz, plus I’m already planning my next LP. Both projects will be released this year.
TMB: If there was one thing you'd want people to take away from Milwaukee Hip-Hop what would it be?
Signif: How genuine it is, how sincere it is. It’s truly a city of untapped resources when it comes to music in general.
