Bronzeville Week - Black Friday Music & Marketplace August 13th 2021

WE STAND FOR ALL THINGS URBAN.

As an unapologetic group of creatives, CopyWrite is in business to change the community. Our promise is to always remember where we started from. We do this by telling the stories that need to be told, showcasing the unrealized artistic potential throughout our community, all while doing what we love: create.

As a true reflection of our mission, our partnership with Bronzeville Week encapsulates many of the ways in which we highlight the creative community. For this year's events the /CW team has curated the August 13th music lineup, including local up-and-coming and established artists. We also are directly linking our communal pool of creative freelancers, who are well versed in creative content making who often don’t get the recognition they deserve. From photography to videography, journalism to creative directing, the essence of Bronzeville is still alive and our team will be capturing that moment. With our pilot office recently opening in the neighborhood, we carry the history of our community with us and know that we stand on the backs of giants who sparked our entrepreneurial freedom. We live here. We work here. We play here. To contribute to the narrative of Bronzeville Week is an honor and of course it will always be for the culture.

/CW

/CW APPROVED MUSIC LINEUP

GENESIS RENJI

DONNA RENEE

NO SEATBEALTS

CLAYTON

SHADI

The Phoenix - Sober Festival [August 7th, 2021] | CW Interview w/ Byron Thompson & John Cunningham

Festivals are the pulse of a Milwaukee summer! On Saturday August 7th, 2021 a new type of festival will grace our community supporting a good time with sobriety in mind. /CW Editor-in-Chief, Lexi S. Brunson spoke with organizers of The Phoenix - Sober Festival, Byron Thompson & John Cunningham on the first time sobriety community event and why we all should be there!

Learn more at https://thephoenix.org/

/CW

Ooka - Slide fa me [video submission]

How many of us have gone through a struggle? Safe to say it’s not at all easy and the only thing you could possibly do is do what you have to do and try to do what’s right for you and those around you. 

Ooka tells his story through melody and truly opens up his heart in song, lets us have the chance to see him so vulnerable and we still don’t even know the whole story. Through all of the pain and sorrow there’s always a light on the other side. “Embrace the struggle & let it make you stronger. It won’t last forever”. And judging by taking a long hard listen to the lyrics that’s absolutely what it did for Ooka. The struggle is a piece of the story.

Give a listen and let us know what you think.

/CW Maxp

Meet The /CW Fam!

It's our Anniversary!

As of July 15th, 2021, CopyWrite Magazine has been in business for six years [& eight years in the game]. For this years celebration we thought it only fitting to re-introduce ourselves, have you meet the /CW Fam, and learn more about the people behind the mission!

#AllThingsUrbanLiveHere #SupportTheLocal #CopyWriteMag

WE STAND FOR ALL THINGS URBAN.

As an unapologetic group of creatives, CopyWrite is in business to change the community. Our promise is to always remember where we started from. We do this by telling the stories that need to be told, showcasing the unrealized artistic potential throughout our community, all while doing what we love: create.

It’s different here.

We are not your “average” media company. Our magazine is not dominated by ads, unrealistic figures of beauty, or filler content. We tell stories about people you know; the ones you live by, go to school with, or are sure to meet at your favorite community events. We don’t let the status quo control the way we express ourselves. We keep it authentic to who WE are. We break the molds of tradition and stay current without over saturating the market. Our pitch is not to sell you on a vision of aspiration but to ask you to be a part of real community cultivation. We don’t look for validation from people who only support our community on paper [tuh, ya’ll cute] or people who live their life for the “likes”. Our beginnings are humble. Our lifestyles triumph over adversity. Our song, some fire track with hella bass. Many people we know gave up on their creative dreams but we still breathe the worth of our passion. 

The narrative will shift. One story at a time.

/CW

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/CW FAM | SQUAD | TEAM | STAFF

Lexi S. Brunson - Owner | Editor-in-Chief

“If they said I did it, I DID IT.”

Lexi is obsessed with all things Urban. She believes that there is a beauty between every sidewalk crack and alleyway. She is outspoken, confident, and her creativity allows her to view the world WAY outside the box. She is a multifaceted professional with a BFA in Interior Architecture & Design and MA in Media Studies. Her passion for social equality, freedom of expression, and goofy wit makes her just the right combo of kick a** to get any job done. She makes "it” happen!

@_thrudirtyeyes

Fun Fact about Lexi: “If you don’t keep a bottle of hot sauce at the crib, you might as well pack my food up to go. I put that ‘ish on everything!”

Favorite /CW moment: “Our first anniversary party we hosted at 88Nine. There had never been so many Black & Brown faces in that space before that moment. I like to think we helped changed that narrative. Plus it was poppin’ ”

Vato Vergara - Fashion Editor | Creative Director

"It all starts with a Look!”

Vato is the Renaissance man in every sense of the word. Whether he is styling clients, hosting events, maintaining online thrift shop, or creative directing for CopyWrite, Vato brings new and innovative ideas to the table. HIS fashion + style expertise is what makes /CW always tastefully in style.

@vatomke

Fun Fact about Vato: “I love cooking!”

Favorite /CW moment: “I didn’t know anything about CW but one day I found out this local publication that was all about supporting the local. So I went out and printed 100 copies at work [this before we offered printed magazine] and handed them out all over downtown. I remember receiving a call about it from the owners. Which is what got me to be apart of this amazing company!”

Tiffany Bean - The People Person | PR Director + Chief of Staff

"What's a bad shot? I never seen one. . .”

Tiffany is a PR pro with authentic links to community, culture, and the mind of corporate america. She has a BA in Corporate Communications and Digital Media. She has also served as a public ally and currently sits on the communications board at the JGCA. With her interpersonal skills, ability to read the room, and “politic” she has never met a stranger. She is The People Person.

@thetiffanyway_

Fun Fact about Tiffany: “My favorite movie is Titanic. ‘Never let go!’ ”

Why Support the local?: “I support the local because I am the local. I am a Milwaukee native, Burleigh res and Marquet made. I think it is important that the voice of the city from all angles is heard. We deserve it! ”

Carrie “Noni Juice” Mahone - Head Broadcast Journalist

"Its Noni Juice.”

Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Carrie Noni has her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Communication. She has always had her eyes set on the entertainment industry and isn’t afraid to create her own opportunities to get there. So far in her career she has worked with 103.7 Kiss FM, Journal Sentinel, v100.7, and currently has a full-time role as a Producer for 101.7 The Truth. Her love for natural hair led her to creating her YouTube channel, “Natural Noni,” and she created a top 5 music countdown show, “N’fluence.”

@carrienoni_

Fun Fact about Carrie: “I love Milkshakes. I swear I’m a milkshake connoisseur lol. ”

Why Support the local?: “I support the local because I would want the local to support me. I understand what it feels like to be on a mission to change your community for the better, and all you need is support from your city. That’s why it’s always #414 love to my city!”

Imani Ortiz - Specialized Content Journalist

"A wise man once said, ‘Bees don’t waste their time explaining to flies that honey is better than shit’.”

The best way to describe Imani would be nothing less than “the Jill of all trades”. Her comedic energy and enthusiastic personality is hard to match. One of her biggest goals is to help connect different generations to Urban culture through media, specialized projects, and interpersonal encounters. While embracing and cultivating her own versatile creativity, she hopes to not only strengthen the local community with opportunities to voice their own stories but to encourage others to speak, stand and live in their own truth.

@ortizus

Fun Fact about Imani: First generation college graduate. #thefinesser

Why Support the local?: “Selfishness is what really makes me #supportthelocal. Sounds crazy right? Let me explain. We want people to support us in our endeavors and want people to crave whatever you we do creatively yet it’s so hard for people in the city to pour into others. Why is that? That never made sense to me. We have to hold each other accountable and uplift each other on the way up. There’s no reason why the Milwaukee creative scene should be as segregated as it is. It’s always love here at CopyWrite and that’s all we (as in everyone) should be pouring into the community. Inspiration, support and love. Das it.”

Tanasia Shaw - Journalism Intern

"Forever a student at life.”

Tanasia Shaw is a senior a UW-Milwaukee majoring in journalism and minoring in Africology and communication. Tanasia is best described as charismatic, humble and creative. Her interests in culture, art and social issues are the perfect combination for a compelling story. Her goal is to create content that accurately represents underrepresented people and cultures.

@TheTanasia

Fun Fact about Tanaisa: “In 2020, I started a decor and graphic design business.”

Why Support the local?: “I support the local because the local has always supported me! I wouldn't be able to story tell or create if it wasn't for my Milwaukee Native mentors, colleagues, and friends that constantly inspire me”

Adrienne Davis - Media Journalist Intern | Producer in Training

"It’s not about being the best, it’s about getting the job done.”

Adrienne Davis has an associates degree in E-Production from Milwaukee Area Technical College. She is currently attending UWM to obtain a BA in Journalism. This social introvert has a passion for journalism, culture, and creativity. She has also done work in movie production and is interested in continuing to hone those skills in the future.

@dri.xxi

Fun Fact about Adrienne: "“I love food, that’s the key to my heart.”

Favorite /CW moment: “When I got my first spread in published in a magazine, only right it was for CW.”

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/CW OFFICE + STUDIO [CAMP LOCALS] IS NOW OPEN!

KEEP ON THE LOOK OUT FOR INVITES TO THE SPACE, COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE!

Kaylon Raps - WhatCanUDo

It’s fly, it’s lyrical, it’s clever, is it a bird reciting shakespeare? Or a plane full of Dr. Suess impersonators?? No! It’s Kaylon Raps’ new hit!!

Having trouble stepping out from the crowd and being your unique self? Whip out that good ole pen and pad and take notes while listening to Kaylon Raps’ single ‘WhatCanUDo’ as he gives you free game on keeping it one hunnid with a side order of reggae. 

It’s everything you could ever want in an upcoming potential new anthem; beats that bump, lyrics so fire you could spark your campfire, and a flow that just simply annihilates. 

Shoot him a follow on the gram and tune in but try not to burn your house down *wink wink*. 

Instagram: KaylonRaps

/CW Maxp

Itchy Corleone - Myself Freestyle/ Beatbox

Y’all itching for some new bangers yet? Well Itchy Corleone is coming in hot like the fast and furious with the A&D ointment for ya, aka his hit single ‘Myself’ and his new track ‘Beatbox’. 

This ‘tour de force’ of a song, ‘Myself’, focuses on the hardships and triumphs that were surpassed throughout Itchy Corleone’s personal life and so, is one of the big highlights of his upcoming and continuously growing career. This song and a few others could possibly be the ones that set the tone for his new track ‘Beatbox’, he just did that beat for fun just to show y’all he here!! 

Hit em up with a follow on the gram and show them just how much colder than a frosty their song really is. 

Instagram: Itchy_corleone

/CW Maxp

Mace supreme & YN Jay - Jumanji

We heard word play and beats that crack (no we’re not talking backs) were the new wave, obviously Mace Supreme & YN Jay got the memo. And please don’t even get me started on the song cover, I saw it and was like “yeah I don’t even need to hear the song, I already like it”, I almost made it my screensaver. 

Guys, “Guess the I’m the man of her dreams, call me Fred Krueger” is the bar of the year in my book and no I’m not biased because my favorite horror movie is Nightmare on Elm Street BUT for OTHER reasons :))!! Hey Mace Supreme or maybe even YN Jay, since you guys are so good at making analogies, making things simple and make sense and stuff, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving my English teacher a few lessons. Nah but fr this bar and many others COMBINED with this wild beat are too hot to handle, they’ll make you make that one face and I KNOW y’all know what I'm talkin about.

THIS FACE!

Don’t be lame, give this a listen right fast and let us know if this is making it to your summer playlist. 

Instagram: MaceSupreme

/CW Maxp

We Outside!!! Keep up w/ your /CW Fam as we cover #OutOfTheBoxMKE

blackboxfund.org

Join us this summer as we provide authentic /CW style media coverage at Out Of The Box, six-week summer series. Your /CW Fam will be in the field catching all the vibes that change the narrative, highlight the community, and looking at everything through a creative lens. Tag us at @copywritemag and #copywritemag #OutOfTheBoxMKE #BlackBoxFund so we can help show off the local every step of the way!

/CW

Mike Shammo - Another point of View

Mirror mirror on the wall, has there ever been a song that made me fall back into that deep black pit chain of deep overthinking about what makes things the way they are and changes my perspective on a topic for the 100th time?? Yes! After listening to Mike Shammo’s new song ‘Another Point of View’ I definitely started to spiral into something slight of an Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole, BUT in a good way!!!

There’s really something special about the ability to be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and being able to see something from a different perspective, even if you are not physically able to place yourself in that situation. Understanding that everyone sees and perceives things differently from the next is the greatest thing about the world we live in and Mike exhibits this understanding through a beautiful melodic hymn. 

To quote Mike, make it your choice to keep your focus on what glows! Let us know what you think of their new hit and give their page some love!

Instagram: Mikeshammo_

Youtube: Mike Shammo

/CW Maxp

Virghost- IDGAF [video submission]

Looking for a new and improved way to tell someone you don’t care without seeming like you’re coming off too harsh while ALSO putting them on to some dope new music?? Send them Virghost’s fire hit, ‘IDGAF’. Coming in hot with slick lyrics that seem to just be spitting out his mouth with ease.

One word? Hard. Enough said?

Right off the bat the beat comes in swinging with the same energy as the visuals of the video. I don’t know what more you could possibly ask for. Just by tuning in to the lyrics you can tell Virghost is his most individual, independent and unique self. He DGAF!

Make sure y’all shoot him a follow on IG and listen to this track and tell us if he hit it outta the park with this one!

IG: @therealvirghost

/CW Maxp