Art, Music & Fugazi // Day Two at SXSW

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CWatSXSW Day Two:

Spotted! Celebrities everywhere and we want parts!

Benzino, Kap G, Bre-Z, 5ive Mics, T.I. and some other names y'all ain't ready for were all in the mix downtown Austin.

Our exploration lead us to Art, Music, Fashion, and Culture. All the things we live for.  

We flipped the script rapping bars for local artists in exchange for dope street beauty shots. 

Our interview with tech savvy boss ladies at Hyphen- Labs is bound to be a great article, and we must add how we all looked hella fly walking down these Austin Streets. Who is going to put us on a fashion blog?

The action is where the people are and the SXSW energy is proving to be contagious. The elements are all stacking up...it's the lifestyle. 

Dirty:

Crystal coded jaguar statues, kimchi french fries with bomb fried tofu, and chit chats with boss ladies and celebrities...OH MY!  Heaven is this you? 

Day 2 at SXSW was my style of exploration. #PopAustin gallery was so refreshing. I got my daily dose of art with a side of complementary Step & Repeat selfie booth and color changing lights - Everywhere we go its a photo shoot!  Stopped into Luxe Apothecary Boutique. I almost spazzed, but I recovered, only walking out with one frame of Geechie sunglasses. My virtual reality experience provided by the ladies of Hyphen-Labs, made me feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world as a women of color ( I cant wait for you guys to read my interview with the team). Once again 6th street was poppin, but y'all have got to stop handing me mixtapes. I only have TWO hands! Email me that shit, QR Code, or somethin! #UPDATEYOURHUSTSLE2017

I think my favorite part of the day was my chat with Hustle Gang's 5ive Mics. We had previously met a few years back in the MKE airport and he is just a very pleasant and interesting gangsta so running into him again here at SXSW was cool. S/O's to 5ive. 

I hope today at SX we can amplify this feeling... Imma need my kimchi on a taco while i'm sitting on a giraffe made of diamonds. Clearly anything can happen in Austin. Weird!!!!

Freakish: The art in the city is so fresh. So many little random pop up galleries and street paintings on walls, I know I'm going to come home looking at Milwaukee like...

I had the BEST tofu. It was marinated and fried and just yes. Pure yes. Walked 5.7 miles around the same 6 blocks. I don't know what St. Patrick's Day is like on Water Street in Milwaukee, but St. Patty's down here? SO MANY PEOPLE. We got tricked.

SIXTH STREET // From the balcony

SIXTH STREET // From the balcony

Syn wanted to go to 5th Street first and ease into 6th. 5th was cool. Walked in to this Russian theme bar with a wall of "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Vodka (from Peach and Mango to Mixed Nuts and Horseradish)" and saw this dope group call OSHUN. They're like a Neo-soul/Rapping/singing/Black Excellence duo. I'm sure somebody will link their Instagram right here. Literally got called into the bar from the sound of Trumpets and Electric Rhodes. THEN WE MADE THE MISTAKE OF GOING TO DIRTY SIX. So many people. So much skin. So many smells. So many things on the ground. We literally moved to higher ground for safety in a bar on the corner. We didn't make it off the corner!

Starting to feel a little claustrophobic down here. I need to see more of the city. Maybe a rest day. Austin is wild, B.

Syn:

Day Two was interesting to the say the least.

In every city I visit, I need to see the art. Whether that's the graffiti, the fashion or even a painting; I need to see it alive in the city. Day Two brought exploration of exhibits along with a really cool mixture of art and technology (Have you ever done VR at an art show?)

We interviewed a dope group of female boss ladies. Got really amazing food from Chi'lantro, a food truck. Peeped some celebrities.... I was called a "Gangster" by Love & Hip Hop Star Benzino. Got posted on Shea Moisture Instagram page for my hair. ☺️ Saw OSHUN and the LIVE LIFE LOUD band kill the stage. Witnessed an apocalypse amount of people on Sixth Street while TIP and Hustle Gang made sure their presence in the city was known with a quick walk-thru. & we celebrated my people (Happy St Patrick's Day y'all.) 

CW at SXSW // Day One

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We're on our adventure and exploring Austin, Texas like real hipsters, who love music, haven't been in heat in months, and can't stop staring at all the dopeness.

Day One at SXSW:

"Look at that yo!" was probably the tagline of the day, besides the epic reference to support local business, "Keep Austin Weird." Everything was eye catching, and random; just the way we like it. 

Austin SXSW scene reminds us of MKE's Water Street mixed with a Brady Street facade. The urban elements popping, the black magic enticing, and the street fashion too Steezy from day to night. 

Everyone here is looking for a connect, playing a showcase and grilled up. (mouth shots!)

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We checked out the Mazda Studio at Empire to catch Talib Kweli's set, which was packed, lit and of course, an honor.

We also got a chance to see The Blood is at the Doorstep, the documentary about Dontre Hamilton & his family, directed and produced by Erik Ljung, which premiered here at SXSW. (CW thought the documentary was very thought-provoking, and well filmed. #SupportTheLocal)

Guess who else is in town? Mike Regal! Dropping #Bars (of course) at the Coast 2 Coast showcase.

Let's see what today brings...we are excited to see if the SXSW culture is just what we need to put our own city on the map and FULLY in the mix.

Freakish: 

This is probably going to be the story of how I fell in love with Austin and just like any love story, it starts with me playfully disliking this city. There's no where to park, food is expensive, and I still haven't had a good taco.

Lines are long, people are rude, and I've had to change socks like three times, but this city is beautiful, and even through the driest of dry heats, I can see what brings people here. The knick-knacks are weird, the people are weirder, and there's a welcoming vibe flowing through the bamboo stalks around the corner from our hotel.

I can see myself loving this city, but for right now I'm admiring from a distance waiting for her to show me who she really is.

Syn:

"KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD, MAN!" & it won't be that hard when you're in this environment. 

SXSW; thus far, has been a hub for some dope shit. My favorite part is the intertwining of different cultures and the natural hair love was REAL. From #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy; you could see the support of the Puff and I love that. #SupportThePuff #MyCurlsWasPoppin #PinkFroGang #BetYouCantDoItLikeSyn... Even brands like Shea Moisture were in the city; supporting hair styles and types of all kind with a glam squad on hand, free products and of course some dope Instagram posts. (I may or may not be on their Instagram soon @sheamoisture)

Dirty: 

"CW is Sexi." - Words from a group of guys standing in the middle of 6th St.

It never fails no matter were we go, they notice. Good...because we are watching too. Talking to strangers, about fashion, music and where they are from always gives me a feel for the event. Who is at SXSW, and why does it matter? No matter where we go I want to see the REAL. There is nothing less intriguing then overly Bougie Street festivals cultivated by posers...and I know Bougie. Austin seems like a good balance of culture, people hungry for a moment to shine, and music...Music, Music, and Music. It gives me hope that maybe home can build something similar...I want this movement. I want this moment. This is research: Put in the work. Create the change. Perspective Babyyyyyyy! 

PLUS 

Supporting every genre of music was a beautiful thing to see. Seeing different people support local and bigger name artists was amazing. It was for every kind of person that wants to come together in one united front.

From civil protests on the streets of 6th to the perspective of seeing Milwaukee in Austin; I couldn't help but feel (a little) at home.

Love & All Things Urban,

/CW (GVNG GVNG SQUAD CIRCLE MoBB) 

Shooter: Mahdi Gransberry

#100Womxn

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Today is International Women's Day. And while CopyWrite is a proud women owned and operated business, we couldn't help but take this moment to recognize Corey Fells for his "100 Womxn" project.

Inspired and crafted as an ode to his mother, Pookie; Corey has crafted a project that shines a light on the beauty, growth and strength of millennial womxn of color. Featuring a range of womxn from local entrepreneurs, artists, mothers, sisters and so much more; Corey uses photography to document the essence of these 100 womxn and to tell their stories.

Ultimately, the project itself tells an interesting visual story as the main figures share multiple commonalities along with a common place - being womxn and physically being in the same space at different moments. Pay special attention to how the background changes with time in this series.

So thank you Corey ... Pookie would be proud.

Check out some of the portraits below then see the rest on his website here. 

Insider Note: CopyWrite was in the middle of shooting our #SociallyResponsible campaign video when Corey asked us to participate. We were not ready. Hahaha

Xavier Ruffin- Recognition of False Prophets

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J.Cole has hit us with another one! This time it ricocheted through the media into the hands of multi-talented creative, Xavier Ruffin.

 

Here he takes the "False Prophets" beat, paring it with his personal bars, and creating a video montage inspired by his family and friends. He edits his-story to portray the times he has shared and the things he has missed on his quest for greatness, including (his younger brothers graduation) the things he can not get back. His "Recognition", is to the reality of it all, and the sacrifice that is life.

His growth, his understanding, and his exploration of self, resonates with so many, we post this not only because it is a great spin on a very "controversial" track, with a creative visual, but to reassure X, he is not in this alone.  We have all seen, false prophets.

#WCW Kierston Ghaznavi // Keghaznavi Illustration

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This week we bring you Kierston Ghaznavi of Keghaznavi Illustration! Kierston and I met at 2035 Art + Media Studio’s annual MKE United Festival and I fell in love with her dope illustrations, paper dolls, coloring books, and down to earth personality.

Kierston is a Milwaukee native and UWM Graduate with a BFA Graphic Design. Kierston’s pieces are for sure one of a kind and eye catching, I love seeing women of color making meaningful and unique art work, she’s really reppin’ for Milwaukee’s black female visual artists.

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Keghaznavi illustrations focuses on creating positive images and reconstructing stereotypes about black women and black beauty as a whole. When I spoke with Kierston she stated, “I want to counteract the media portrayal of women of color (specifically black women)”.

Kierston also discussed some heavy issues such as cultural appropriation and black face and how art can be used to make these negative ideas things of the past. Kierston draws inspiration from women she sees in everyday life, whether that be a passer by or an Instagram beauty. She creates her work because she loves and and has a desire to spread positivity through her medium, she also aims to make fine art more accessible.

Kierston creates small things such as her original paper dolls or coloring book pages that can be priced affordably, “I want to take art from the walls and make it something you can use”.

This is something us at CopyWrite can definitely get down with as we too feel like the art scene can be a little too pretentious at times. Creative, authentic, and positive, what is there not to love about this week’s #WCW?

See more of Kierston's work at keghaznavi.com and follow her on Instagram. 

All photo credits courtesy of Kierston Ghaznavi oh Keghaznavi Illustrations

#WCW BlackPaint Studios

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This week we bring you not one, but two #WCW’s, the bad-ass branding maven team consisting of Katie Mullen and Jordan Pintar.

Image by Amanda Lillian Photography // facebook.com/amandalillianphotography/

Image by Amanda Lillian Photography // facebook.com/amandalillianphotography/


I originally came across Jordan under a Facebook post calling for all the boss ladies, creatives, and leaders in our community. A few google searches (Google is your friend!) I was brought to the website blackpaintstudios.com.


“Not your mother’s creative studio” the two state, black paint studios is a progressive boutique advertising and branding agency based out of our very own MKE. BlackPaint Studios prides itself with what they would call “exciting and empathetic work” their designs and style are all focused on culture and the human experience. Trust, this isn't your Colgate toothpaste ad team. 

Katie and Jordan aim to break the norms and stuffy culture of the advertisement business as we know. They aim to inspire more women to not only break into the creative directing industry but own it. The “Boss Lady Project” aims to break down the creative industries "white male" power structure through street level campaigning. (Check out the blog http://bossladyproject.com/)

They're all about the artistic integrity and stories behind the work they produce. Katie and Jordan are giving creative directing the soul and realness we see lacking at many other agencies ( The rest of you....#DoBetter). Did we mention they do community work as well? Black Paint volunteers time to aid FROM HERE TO HER Artist Collective. FROM HERE TO HER is an artist collective of women aiming to empower their communities making them safer, happier, and healthier through art. Now that's definitely something we can rock with.


#WCW worthy, we certainly think so Boss Ladies.

We're completely obsessed with there work for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Check out the mural ("The Goddess of FIerce Protection") they projected on the building below and follow there Instagram for all dope things from the boss ladies.

👀 Can't paint? Project! #100YearsStrong #plannedparenthood #blackpaintstudios

See this Instagram video by @blackpaintstudios * 33 likes


All images provided and owned by BlackPaint Studios and Amanda Lillian Photography.

​Gen’s ShotGlass Review of MKE Film Fest

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A shot glass is symbolic. It tells you what it is quickly and direct.

Since the MKE Film Festival has come to an end, we would like to reflect on the festivals take on the music/film mashup and just the greatness that the MKE Film Fest represents. Showing love to the Milwaukee film scene from every aspect possible.

As you all know a good music video can make (and sometimes) break a song.

So we asked are homie and CW Connect Genesis Renji of The House Of Renji to let us know his ShotGlass thoughts on The Milwaukee Music Video Show, "a celebration of the myriad art talent our community has to offer."

Read Gen's honest and lit descriptions of these videos then watch the videos and listen to some of songs below (if the video were unavailable).

& if you know Gen, he suggests you read these reviews in his voice. #OohYeaYea

1st Video – From The Drowning Dreamers Band - Frayed Bridge to Dying Star.

It had a dope acoustic vibes to it. The video itself was reminiscent to a Nat Geo documentary/ commercial for Earth’s hidden oases. Music is hypnotic, a growing trance.

2nd Video – “Roaming Empire” by Maritime.
Donuts. Reverse bubbles. Jamming at work. Boss yelling at you. Story of my life. This video had a 70’s Show vibe to it, especially with the solo car scene. The signature style was slow motion through real time speed. Long story, short: the Roaming Empire is oblivious to the worl

3rd Video – Trapper Schoepp’s “Settlin’ or Sleeping Around”.

First, coldest name I’ve ever heard in ever. Secondly, the songs sounds like a secret track to "Back To The Future"; it was one of the more cinematic feeling videos that showcased the duality of life.

4th Video - Rio Turbo “20/20 (Dashcam Remix)”. This is when DRIVE meets PBS on LSD. Electric soul sonics, paired with cuts of nature, the 50s and cells. Literal cells from science and shit. Ooh cheetah.

 

5th Video – Fox Face – “Teenage Wiccan” Scenic. Silhouettes. Fortune cards. Random cuts and twitches like animorphic book covers. Fingers put out fire from candle. Badass.

6th Video - Lorde Fredd33 “S.O.S”, mama there go that man again!!!! One of my favorite videos and songs. Conceptually dope; black yakuza. Hari-kari.

7th Video - Devil Met Contention’s "Used To Be" sounds like the Kill Bill 2 B Sides and looks like the best of Dancing With The Stars. If Uma Thurman made it to the wedding reception and didn't get murdered at the rehearsal, that’s this visual. Beautiful blend of western and Latin sounds and visual elements, especially the use of lighting.

8th Video - WC Tank "27th and National" is eerie as hell. Like if the Purge started a record label, this would be the first release. The slow motion shot of the skull faced skateboarder with the red cape is insane. Skateboarding devil. Upside down rain. Breakdown of song leads to visual evolution of edits and 360 camera flipping and rotated panning. Kelly Anderson got his shit off.

9th Video - Webster X’s "Lately", the grand design of Damien Blue and Cody LaPlant once again. This video is the like part 2 to Web’s “Doomsday” video. Some similar visual signatures, but the overall essence is a feeling of death and rebirth. The passing to forever.

10th Video - Direct Hit’s "Was It The Acid". Dude trips balls and sees dancing turkeys. Everyone becomes a turkey. Shot on Farwell. At the end of the video he is the rooster or turkey or whatever. I didn’t care for this.

11th Video - Group of the Altos "Coplights". This was edited like Tree Of Life. I’ve never wanted to understand a visual so much until I saw this. It's a collage of vintage photos and scenes mixed with modern memories and experiences. Great use of color for stage performance shot. Geologist. Typewriter. Domestic violence clip. VHS tapes. Campers. "Is this the past?". State Fair "is this the future?" "is this now?” Now read all of this backwards and that’s the video..

12th Video - Busdriver "Much". Dope ass song with a clean and simple visual. Straight shot with a seemingly vintage filter over the edit. It reminded me of Crooklyn. Shoutout Domo and Mykal with the cameos!!!

13th Video - Fabian James & Treyy G’s "See You". Nick Jonas ass video; Close-esque vibes. Shot like Nickelback’s "Hero" with the warehouse setting; the dancing and break dancing is so fire. Shot like an Apple/H&M commercial. Crazy dope, definitely one of my favorites from the night, don’t let the opening comments fool you.

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14th Video - Serengeti "Doctor My Own Patience". Bad memories. Empty house. Disco in the dresser, though. Cray. Roller rink. This was the most interestingly edited video. Another 70’s Show-esque visual.

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CREDITS:

WC Tank – “27th and National” (USA / 2016 / Director: Kelly Michael Anderson)

Busdriver – “Much” (USA / 2015 / Director: Dan Peters)

Canopies – “Getting Older” (USA / 2015 / Director: Ryan Reeve)

Devil Met Contention – “Used to Be” (USA / 2016 / Directors: Jessica Farrell, Ehson Rad)

Direct Hit – “Was it the Acid?” (USA / 2016 / Directors: Bobby Ciraldo, Andrew Swant)

Fabian James & Treyy G – “See You” (USA / 2016 / Director: Quinn Hester)

Fox Face – “Teenage Wiccan” (USA / 2016 / Director: Mitch Rasque)

The Drowning Dreamers Band – “Frayed Bridge to Dying Star” (USA / 2016 / Director: Sean Kafer)

Group of the Altos – “Coplights” (USA / 2016 / Directors: Heather Hass, Shawn Stephany, Sean Williamson)

Lex Allen – “Cream & Sugar” (USA / 2015 / Director: Cody LaPlant)

Lorde Fredd33 – “SOS” (USA / 2016 / Director: Kiran Vee)

Maritime – “Roaming Empire” (USA / 2016 / Director: Erin Elders)

Rio Turbo – “20/20 (Dashcam Remix)” (USA / 2016 / Director: Dan Boville)

Serengeti – “Doctor My Own Patience” (USA / 2016 / Director: WC Tank)

Trapper Schoepp – “Settlin’ Or Sleepin’ Around” (USA / 2016 / Director: Caroline Jaecks)

Webster X – “Lately” (USA / 2015 / Directors: Cody LaPlant, Damien Blue, Sam Ahmed)

#WCW Gabriela Riveros (Chanchita Riveros Illustration)

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Meet our #WCW Gabriela Riveros, a Paraguayan-American illustrator of Chanchita Riveros Illustration. As an artist she takes inspiration from her heritage, art history and everyday life to make colorful and playful illustrations and textile designs. 

Gabriela's expressive style pairs best with the intricate details that come with every design, pattern and illustration; showcasing her overall passion for what she creates.

Check out her work below and like her Facebook page here for more updates on this WCW.

P.S. Find one of her latest designs on your favorite coffee cup at Colectivo for their recent collaboration with MIAD. 

#WCW Kelsey Lawson

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A Weekend Native, singer (have you listened to 'Not Quite Vegas?'), killer photographer and amazing graphic designer, say what up to our #WCW Kelsey Lawson. 

However since we don't know too much about this beauty other then her crazy talent with the lens; we'll just leave some of her work here and let it explain for itself. 

Like her facebook page for more updates and tell us who our next #WCW should be.

"The World Will Remember Us" Comic Book - King Seale: The Throne Of Light

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Mission10Eleven has a lot to say about the world and they’re reading to tell their story.

With plot twists, some very humbling lessons and role models we always wish we had, “The World Will Remember Us” comic book was created to speak on the issues our community faces and bring a conscious awareness to aspects of life we have been through.

Check out an excerpt from King Seale: The Throne Of Light below and today, we will take this journey together so the world will remember us.

King Seale: The Throne Of Light

August 31st, 2035

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about my family. That I don't desire to be back at home with my wife and my daughter but with the position I'm in as King I can't be so hard on myself. King Light, he paved a great way for the people to finally be at peace. It was enlightening and honorable being by his side during the uprising in 2015. It was hard to see him live his final days even though he was so at peace.

I remember him always telling me that the war was the prime of his life and when I would ask why he would just smile, put his arm around my shoulder and say “because I know the world will be in good hands.” He taught me the importance of leadership and the responsibility of power. I learned how to become a warrior through his philosophy when he took me under his wing and schooled me in the ways of ancient martial arts and energy manipulation. I just never thought that all the lessons he taught me were in preparation to become King.

I’ve been having these visions of the evil that's on the horizon and it's going to take more than just me to defeat them. King Light told me to protect the one who the holds the prophecy, after I address the people for the first time as their King it will be time to bring together the next generation of leaders. We can't allow everything we worked for be taken away by GWA and the council. I won't allow it. 

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