Lik "Popeye's on Center"

If you’re like most of us, you’ve been OUTSIDE making this summer count! On time with the vibes to match as usual, TRP has yet another drop that can take you back to a July Summer in the early 2000s! Co-Founder and In-House Producer Lik gives that feeling with the summer anthem, “Popeyes on Center,” a shout out to one of the hundreds of directional pinpoints used by Us in the community, ha! 


This single from his latest Album, “Auteur Theory,” which has been exclusively released on his Ghetto Griot website for purchase, features his right hand, Big P. Released as a music video directed by Cream. and shot by Carter Green, the lyrical, instrumental, and especially, the visual context is so Milwaukee and gives a nostalgic ’outside from sun up to sun down’ type of feel. The vision was for the editing style to become another character of its own- the “third side to the story,” as Lik put it. The vibrancy of the colors seen and worn, the upward camera angles to fully capture the grit of what still remains of our own unique culture (the businesses AND the beautiful young Milwaukee Men coolin’ in front of them), and the contrast of what may not be anymore, but is still core to the identity of this part of the city, and therefore, is worthy to be celebrated.

The setting changes and cuts to Lik sitting by himself in a restaurant. The imagery is more fab and luxurious and his words are more future-tense with a little bravado but just like the brick and mortar of the Milwaukee Mall, his identity in Milwaukee remains. Good One Lik!

Naomi-Re’a for /CW

lik - rhythm and poetry for the ghetto children

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The artist highlight of the week goes to Lik and his mixtape “rhythm and poetry for the ghetto children.” This guy is super dope and a local creative and we’re so excited for you all to discover some new music from him. He gave us a peek into his mind when he released his mixtape, May 1st! Here’s a little about the project from Lik himself:

“THIS PROJECT IS NOT A GUIDELINE TO A WAY OF BEING, BUT ME ACCESSING MY TRUE POWER INTERNALLY AND LEARNING THE MEANING OF “SELF LOVE” THROUGH SELF REFLECTION AND SELF EXPLORATION. TIME AND TIME AGAIN CHILDREN OF THE DIASPORA ARE TOLD NOT TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, THAT THEIR UNIQUE OUTLOOK SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER. FEAR BASED TACTICS ARE CONSTANTLY IMPLEMENTED AND IT DRAGS US FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM OUR TRUE NATURE AND THE CREATOR. RHYTHM AND POETRY IS SIMPLY ME USING THE ARTFORM OF MUSIC TO HARMONIZE WITH THE CREATOR, TO CHANNEL MY INNER CHILD AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. IM AWARE THAT THIS PROCESS DOESN’T STOP, THAT KNOWLEDGE IS INFINITE AND EVOLUTION IS A CONSTANT PROCESS. SO IM JUST DOCUMENTING THE PROGRESS I’VE MADE ON MY JOURNEY THUS FAR AND I’LL CONTINUE TO SHARE AND CHANNEL THESE MESSAGES FROM THE CREATOR UNTIL I LEAVE THIS EARTH. LOVE!”

I promise he’s not yelling, just super excited for you to hear what he’s up to. I want you guys to go listen for yourself and let us know what you think. It is a project including production from Knowsthetime, KLEFTO, Chuck Strangers, Wayne J Valentine, Bugginout, and K Le Maestro, Haz Solo, and Malik Abduul Rahmaan. 

If you’re looking for a new sound, this is your guy!

Instagram and Twitter: @likkhen

Facebook: Lik Henderson

Check him out y’all!

/Imani for CW