John Henry “All About Our Love” SONG

After having been a part of the band Astral / Subastral for a while, Jon Henry held his own with another independent musical project with the drop of his EP “Young World Street,” A collaborative piece with producer Boost that was released late October of 2021. For one of the singles, the Milwaukee hip hop artist gives us vocals (and a jig???) with the release of the music video for the ballad, “All About Our Love.” With a similar groove to that of a Sade song, “All About Our Love” will make you swoon over the idea of romance as Jon Henry’s vocals flutter across the jazziness of the beat, reassuring his lover that their love will stand the test of time. Now the visual… The visual is a biiiiiit ‘1,3’ to the songs ‘2,4’ count if you know what I mean; it comes off as incompatible to the vibe and the lyrics of the song, yet to those who are perceptive, it is quite beautiful. From scene to scene, Henry is singing, at times, directly to his lover but she goes on as if he is not there. She performs house chores, dolls herself up, takes a hike, and even plays darts without acknowledging his presence. She is not angry nor being visibly deliberate about ignoring him. Meanwhile, Henry has a calm and patient demeanor, he even dances, while waiting for her to recognize that he is there and that this love requires cooperation from the both of them. It takes for Jon Henry to physically reach out and touch her for her to be reminded of how okay it is to give her heart and feel the love that he has wanted to give her for the entirety of the visual. Tell me how YOU feel about “ All About Our Love” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW

Feel the SHIFT! CopyWrite Magazine Issue 19: Shape Shifting | Official Drop 4-15-22

SHAPE SHIFTING | ISSUE 19 | COPYWRITE MAGAZINE | 4-15-22 |

SHAPE SHIFTING | ISSUE 19 | COPYWRITE MAGAZINE | 4-15-22 |

Are you ready to feel the shift?

Your official count down starts now!

CLICK HERE TO PRE ORDER YOUR COPY!

G-Gifted “Growth” ALBUM / The ComeBack Music Video

The drop of G-Gifted’s sophomore album, Growth, is proof of what a healthy, positive perspective while enduring not only a global pandemic but the evolution of one’s personal life will do. Even in the illustration of the Album’s cover art, we see this theme being brought to life. In front of a clear and cloudy, blue sky there is a half and half image of an animated G-Gifted with one half showing him with a younger face, beardless, with a short haircut and to his right is a baby tree sprouting from the dirt. On the other side, his hair is longer and loc’d up. He has facial hair and to his left, a full grown tree. The intro track “The ComeBack” was released first as a single along with a visual and although only about a minute and 30 seconds long, immediately introduces the theme of the entire album. In the video, simple shots of G-Gifted are captured as he is seen passionately spittin’ rhymes about perseverance, focusing on his grind, and faith. Other superstar tracks like “Terminator” serve as the perfect hype song for any moment where an extra boost of confidence is needed. However, not every song going forward has the serious theme of maturity. Some tracks like “Forever” and “Weekend Mood” are love songs dedicated to the joys of being in the presence of someone you love and growing with them; “Your Melanin isn’t a badge of shame [but] a symbol of greatness, beauty, elegance, and grace. You epitomize Black and Beautiful. One Love.” (G-Gifted, “Forever”). Tell me how YOU feel about “ Growth ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW

Shoebox Benny- Be Like That [SINGLE]

In anticipation of his latest EP, “Car Bombs”, Shoebox Benny released the video his single “Be Like That”. When the beat drops at the beginning of the song, the head bobbing happens instantly, almost like I knew this song was gonna be cold. Initially, knowing that Shoebox Benny is a Chicago rapper, I was expecting to hear a drill beat or some type of sound that was synonymous with Chicago. But this has a whole different sound. It doesn’t SOUND like drill music but it feels like some sh-t you would listen to get you in that mode. The beat is fire, it gives off a couple different vibes. Like one day you could be listening to it while you’re driving cause it’s smooth as ever. And then the next day you could be in the club with yo friends hyped like “AYE YOU DONT LOVE ME NO MORE, COOL BE LIKE THAT! I’M STILL GRINDING THO CAUSE AIN”T NONE FREE LIKE THAT!” It’s versatile and I love music like that, he speaks on so many things that I feel like alot of people can relate to. So every time you listen to it, you catch something different. Maybe a bar or a reference or a metaphor that you’ve never heard when you listened to it before, and you relate all over again and it’s just a vibe every time. Video production was great, in the video you’ll also see that same element of versatility. I definitely recommend downloading this and y’all let me know if you understand what I’m saying. Shoutout to ShoeBox Benny, this song is amazing and so is the EP!

/Pam from CW Magazine

Clayton “2 PK” EP

Although still a fairly new artist to many, having the confidence to make his presence known and have his story felt with only a few words is the route that Clayton has unapologetically taken. He continues to demonstrate that with his new 2-song EP, “2 PK.” The first half, “Some How Beautiful,” appropriately starts off with an R&B beat that is accompanied by hard hitting drums to complement Clayton’s choice to use a rap flow at the start of his verse. We are further invited into his mind through the mentions of lonely nights in his room and moments spent trying to gain the guts to go above and beyond with his overall growth, particularly with trusting his heart, and gaining the audacity to view life and love differently….In full contrast, for the second half of this EP, “Ghost” slows us down sonically and contextually provides the somber side of Clayton opening his heart, having experienced disappointment after doing so. The song goes from a soft, sad tone supported by a piano, strings, and a light percussion to a chaotic instrumental to match the expression of hurt in Clayton’s voice toward the end. 2 PK provides the audience with a message that though it is always the right thing to act courageously and move forward in all of our passions and despite knowing that even in our losses, there is much to gain, the results will not always please us. Tell me how YOU feel about “ 2PK ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW

Devv Lo “People Pleaser” [SINGLE]

Devv Lo is, in my opinion, one of Milwaukee’s most underrated gems. For the past year, Devv has been dropping hit after hit. First, with his single “Jordan 1’s”, following up with his album “World on my Shoulders” and now his latest single “People Pleasers” is one to listen to. One thing I can always say about Devv is that his beat selection is crazy. The whole message of the song is something most of us can relate to, being a people pleaser. “A people pleaser, sh-t but who gone please a young n—a”? That’s the million dollar question it seems like, who does for the person who’s always doing for everybody else? He’s diverse with his sound, to the point where he can make 3 songs about the same thing and none of them will sound the same. My favorite line was “don’t sh-t stop Devv, they try to copy me and paste my steps. Moving fast, I gotta pace myself. Sometimes I sit and count money and just thank myself. Sh-t, because without it I just ain’t myself.” His free-styling and writing skills are both great, his beat selection is wild and overall I can truly say you will not be disappointed. In just two minutes and two seconds, you’ll see why I think that Devv Lo is next up in the city. Overall I give the single a 10/10 highly recommended.

Check it out and let me know what y’all think. 

/Pam from CW

B Side Recordings Presents: KASE+Klassik [Pre-show Interview w/ Copywrite Mag]

KASE, an improvisationalist jazz trio consisting of Jamie Breiwick, John Christiensen and Jordan Lee, and Milwaukee musician, producer and instrumentalist, Klassik collaborated for a showcase that will be featured on B Side Recordings limited edition cassette tape release. Kase and Klassik sat down with us backstage to talk about the cultivation of their unique sound, the lineage of Black American music and even gave us some of their pre-show rituals.

/CW: How did you guys go from your day jobs, to being members of what some are calling an “acid-jazz trio”? 

JC: Oh is that what people are calling it? Ha ha!

JL: Umm, I think the common thread with everybody is that we’ve all studied and been doing this our whole lives. I don’t think anyone in this room started beyond single digits right? For me it was like 7-8. 

JB: : It was 10 for me. 

JC: We’re tremendous music fans, very diverse wide record collections; jazz, blues, classic rock country. Music was just a part of the house growing up.

JB: I remember when almost every house had a piano in it. We had a piano, my parents didn’t even play.

Klassik: Haha! I concur

CW: I know this has been taped and it’s gonna be on B- Side Recordings Cassette Tape, how does it feel to be a part of something so unique? And how does it feel to be a part of a group of musicians who are also so unique?

 JL: I like that we’ve been able to figure out how to turn our shows into albums. Like…this is an album from a year ago and tonight could be another album.

JC:I feel really SUPER grateful. Jamie and I were commenting on how we started this out with another DJ four or five years ago.

JB: Yeah we were just playing at a little corner dive bar… and we did that for a few years. Then Jordan entered the group and we’re so grateful to have him, he’s got a lot of like…entrepreneurial and that side of things, which I am terrible at,

JC: Yeah, we said if Jordan wasn’t in the group we would be doing this somewhere else. 

JL: Yeah it’s just on a much grander scale, more fitting for this type of music. Cause this is in my family too, my dad was a musician, producer, event productions manager, etc. And like…us having our kids work at our events, that’s how I grew up. For me, this is just what I do, it’s what I did before 88.9, it’s what I’ll continue to do after 88.9. I just can’t stop producing fun things and events. 

Klassik: I mean for someone like me who historically takes quite a long time on a particular body of work at one time, this is a nice welcoming change of pace. To be a part of something that is so effortless. To just kind of step in and get done with the performance and the next day you’re in the group chat like ‘uhh..I think we have an album out. Haha! So it’s definitely refreshing and I always like to place myself in different musical scenarios, it keeps you sharp. As a different type of musician, not just a good musician but an ADAPTIVE musician which I think is like, one of the strongest skills that you can have as a musician. Especially when you’re talking about jazz and improv, the ability to adapt and just be in the moment is important. Let the spirit move you and magic can happen. 

KASE discusses how improv plays a role in all Black American music, especially jazz. Jordan Lee and John Christensen talk about practicing the art form and the uncertainty that comes with improvisational music. 

/CW: How did you guys become an improv jazz group?

JB: We’ve always been, that’s how we started out. John and I were….I guess if you wanna put a term to it genre wise, we’re jazz musicians. And the key element in that type of music is improvisation. 

JL: But that’s in every Black American music art form! 

JC: Yes!

JL:[Klassik] freestyles his ass off! Great blues guitarists take huge solos and amazing traditional drumming has the whole ‘call and response’ element. Like all of the lineage of this is to be improvised, that’s the lineage of Black music. To say like, “hey what do you have to say? Okay cool, here’s what I have to say back to you.” So that’s all we do, we’re all practicing the art form.

JB: But that also comes from years upon years and decades of studying, transcribing, reading, learning and writing and listening. It’s not just out of the blue. It’s a lifelong pursuit.

JC: I think there’s an added element of ‘walking a tightrope’. It’s like okay this might not work? We’re about to do something and we don’t know how it's gonna be. And there’s nothing preconceived. So I do think that that’s different from other bands. Like some people have a form that they improvise on, we’re literally just like get up and go. When it works, it’s amazing.

/CW: So you have bass, trumpets, turntables, etc. Did you guys intentionally create an intersectional sound with your music? Or did it cultivate into that as you guys started working together? 

JC: I think it was intentional. The merging of the acoustic instruments with the turntables and electronics was intentional. 

JL: Yeah if my role doesn’t have the ability to bounce off of theirs then it’s just a straight line really. And that's not improv. 

/CW: How would you guys describe your sound to someone who’s never heard of KASE?

JC: We use the word ‘soundscapes' a lot. I’ve had people tell us that our music takes them on a journey. Because it's not preconceived, it sort of morphs and changes, through the course of a song even. And so, like a landscape, it’s like looking at a landscape and watching the sun change,

The Milwaukee music scene is very diverse. From different genres to different voices and sound types, there’s a variety of art to choose from. KASE and Klassik are the personification of stepping outside the box, as a rapper/singer coming together with acid-jazz, the sound fusion creates an experience like no other. Klassik describes how the showcase was put together.

/CW: How did you guys end up having a showcase with Klassik? 

Klassik; So, the cassette release for tonight is from our first gig together which was at the Stoughton Opera House right outside of Madison last June. And it was a long set, like two hours I think, and we had never played…you know, formally, with one another. And then one day it’s like ‘okay we have an album” and then it very quickly became ‘okay we should do something with this, let’s make this a show, let’s make this a thing. From the design of it to like, coinciding with Jamie’s book release as well, everything kinda just landed and made sense. So we got together, did what we thought was just us doing a gig and it turned into a record and the record turned into another gig which will probably turn into another record. It’s a really interesting and cool synergy that we have.

/CW: Any pre-show rituals?

JB: Kava!

JL: Uhh, actually yes! 

JC: Yeah so our regular gig is usually at the St. Kate Arts Hotel and they have that bubbly champagne bar. So we know they always have good champagne, and when you’re a musician it’s pretty normal at the bars to get drinks on the house. So we’re like why don’t we get really good champagne if we can get drinks on the house. And now it’s just our thing.

Klassik: I drink tea! And um, I usually stretch but this suit is too tight! But those are normally my pre-show rituals, lot of water, honey and stretching and like…mild panic attacks that translate into art. That’s like…something that I wanna leave with the group and something that I carry before every performance. Being aware of that sensation, that nervous thing. You should feel that. And really nervousness is just misplaced excitement and like the more you feel that, take all of that and put it into your work. It’s worked every time! I feel like a bursting ball of energy right now so guess what I’m gonna be when I get onstage? A bursting ball of energy and I know we’re gonna be a bursting ball of energy tonight. 

Eli $tones - “$ticks and $tones” ALBUM

With consistency, grit, and a personal style that granted him a gradual rise to having a notable name in music following the drop of his Debut EP “Elsewhere” in 2016, Eli $tones has shown himself to be Milwaukee's Golden Child. He is not one to be left out of the conversation of great musical artists in Milwaukee’s current scene and he proves that with the drop of “$ticks and $tones.”  This 11 track album speaks to $tones’ genius in his use of melody, lyrical transparency, and ear for instrumentation. The intro track “Came Along” is a moment of honesty for $tones. He gives subtleties of the heartbreaks, fallouts, and karmic lessons that lead him to being who he is today. In a “Behind the Song” lyric video that can be found on his youtube page, he gives a bit of BTS content and goes more into depth on the inspo for the writing of this song. “Everything I got”  is a few tracks later but could unofficially be a continuation of “Came Along” as it provides a perspective that allows us to feel a bit more present in the moments that $tones may have been speaking on in track 1.

His lyricism shines through the more personal he gets; “You showin’ me that it's simple like when people do you foul, hit em’ back with a double-dribble…” Yet, immediately after the turmoil, and even before bracing himself to endure more of the pain that is to follow for the remainder of this album, Eli $tones stops and takes a moment to do what most do; he turns to his mother. “Mama” is a tear jerker. It is an ode that is carried by some simple strings and a sweet melody in $tones’ voice that stays consistent for the song’s entirety. If listening closely, his chosen cadence is similar to T-Pain's, that of which was briefly used on the chorus of Kanye Wests’ “Good Life”... but, like, sadder. He runs down a list of promises to, and appreciation for, his mother, whom he makes clear to be the one who fuels his passion and inspires the necessary sacrifices made while making his way through the grind (and how appropriate for Women's Month).  Tell me how YOU feel about “ $ticks and $tones ” Milwaukee (And don't forget the Dolla Sign!).

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

Ms. Mocha Presents: Emmitt James “Too Cold 2 Tour” Tour: Milwaukee

Writers, Brand / Business Owners, Singers, Rappers, Poets, Teachers, Instrumentalists, Stylists, Fashion Models, Painters, Church Kids, Lovers, Stoners, and your Average Joes and Janes. This is the expected audience in attendance of an Emmit James tour, particularly a show like the one we saw this past weekend. Starting at the beginning of February when the flyer for the “Too Cold 2 Tour” Milwaukee date and lineup was dropped with those lovely words “Ms. Mocha presents: ...” and we read the names that followed, this show had been well anticipated. LA, where he had been living for several years now since his move from The Mil’, was hit first.

Immediately after, James took it to the Midwest where most of his touring will take place. At the midpoint of his tour run, we were eased with the drop of his cozy “Yarnigan” sweaters and a media parody, “EMJAY NEWS” mid-tour recap on instagram. On the night of the 19th in Milwaukee, Company Brewing had so many revered artists in the room who were ready to see this show, it was amazing. Truth be told, although people did come to see Emmit James, his superstar lineup is what we've been waiting to see in action altogether.

Even the Artists themselves like Nile, who said that there was a standard of professionalism that inspired him to keep on his toes that night, could not help but to acknowledge the weight of the other names on the bill. He is without a doubt one with many eyes on him in the Hip~Hop scene here and after he, following the classic spins of DJ Freakish Nerd, ignited the stage with singles from his latest drop Free Lunch, he gave us some insight on what's to come next.   

N: I'm preparing for the Free Lunch Deluxe… ‘free lunch’ means so many different things to a kid from Milwaukee from the MPS lunches to someone with dreams and ambitions and goals. I just want to continue pushing the idea of ‘food for thought…’ That's what I want you to take away; your own experience. I want you to enjoy the Free Lunch experience over and over again. There's just a lot more to do. I'm not done. 

As mentioned, R&B Singer / Songwriter and Producer B~Free  brought the femininity, musicality, and technicality that Emmit James remembers to particularly include on his sets. From her unquestionable vocal talent to the live demonstration of her production skills (she produces her own shit), B~Free is a true artist and confirms so through her admiration for the outcome of the show itself.

BF: I think it is very well balanced… I've planned a lot of shows in my day and one of the things that I used to get aggravated about was piling up a whole bunch of people on the bill and not having a lot of care being put into who goes behind whom; ‘Do these acts match? Do their energies blend well with one another?’ I feel that the balance [here] is super super dope because Freakish Nerd has everything at his disposal to spin and then you get the hardcore Hip-Hop with Nile, and then I’m that transitional piece by taking a bit of that Soul and Hip-Hop edge that Nile has and bringin’ it in a bit more mellow and R&B. Then Em is the perfect culmination of all of that so I think that he did a really good job with being thoughtful with putting this lineup together and I’m thankful to be a part of it. 

Album on the Way!

Lastly, After an already successful night, and a long time away from home, Emmit gives us Emmit; Hip~Hop, live instrumentation, witty innuendos, and a surprise performance from Fellow House of Renji member, Genesis Renji. As the music scene continues to climb the ladder to quality marketing, collaboration, and the element of performing, the standard for musical showcasing in Milwaukee is seen through productions like this.

/CW: I'm assuming that these are some of your favorite artists.. What as a fellow artist speaks to you?

EJ: Authenticity. People just being themselves. There's a lot of dope artists here, rappers, R&B singers, a bunch of dope people, so eventually as I come here more and more Imma try to put more people on the bill. 

/CW: I noticed that your set especially had live instrumentation, other than B~Free. Does that speak to how you relate to them as an artist or was that just all natural?

EJ: Just natural. I always like to play with a band if I can. That's actually prefered. The last time we played here, I had a full band but if I'm being transparent, I paid a lot of people. So I was like let me shrink it and then that way I can pay the people on the bill a lot more…  It's rare that I don't use a live instrument, I've done it on this tour in Chicago, but if I can have an instrument or an instrumentalist, I will… I played with a trumpet player a couple  months ago and I was like ‘I don't know why I haven't been playing with a trumpet player..’ so I was just on facebook like ‘Yo does anybody know a trumpet player?’ and then people looked out and tagged people… 

And there it is. Won’t He Do It! /Naomi-Re’a for CW 

HymnWho - “A Glorious Rise” EP

Already 5 months post-release of his Album “Retroactive Phenomenon.”(If you haven't heard it yet, make it a thing), Milwaukee artist HymnWho enters 2022 with “A Glorious Rise.” His style and sonic approach is signature at this point and goes against the grain of what has been popularized as the Milwaukee sound with a mixture of rap verses, melodic choruses, and beats that give us a new feel with sound choices that range from 80’s rock and pop to hip-hop. Even so, HymnWho is not to be so easily defined. He shows off his charisma first on “Sadiq” with a smoove beat drop and the opening line “You gotta treat me like a gangsta it's just human nature…” and soon after, quoting Rick James’ most famous affirmation for himself a few bars later. You can feel the confidence spilling from HymnWho even as he begins to talk about some of his growing pains. “Dangerous Game” gets more intimate; here’s a song about the importance of self acceptance and the consequences of walking blindly from not knowing who it is (within ourselves) that we are really counting…  Man, us 20 something's be goin’ through! After a few funky hard hitters, “Walk in My Glory” gives a powerful ending with a production that gradually gives a triumphant tone and a hook that makes you feel like you're glowing! 

Tell me how YOU feel about “ A Glorious Rise ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW