Huey V “More Love” Single and School Tour

Booking platforms like SXSW isn’t the only thing on the mind of a young waymaker. In Preparation for his second EP, “So Below,” 414 Native Huey V has been strategic with his releases from the drop of his single “After the Deal” two months ago, stamping his placement as a WHMG member and overall rising star, to partnering with Milwaukee’s City Year and Adidas Sound Labs in Chicago for a school tour in alignment with the release of his newest Single. “More Love” is an homage to those who have fallen due to gun violence in the city. Huey V provides multiple little narratives for different scenarios that collectively paint the picture of the reality here for many, including himself despite his own efforts and success. With lines like, “..Cant say I’m proud of where I’m from but I’m a product of it, I know a nigga who used to hoop, he like Iman Shrumpert, knew he was a shooter but he grew up and forgot his jumper..,” the existence of Milwaukee’s talent is verified but we also have some imagery of the consequences of lost hope. To aid in the prevention of more lost hope, the young rapper went on a small tour from Rufus King Middle School in Milwaukee to Curie High School in Chicago to give students an opportunity to hear his new song but more importantly to sit with them and discuss the reality of their stress and how to handle it. With Huey V being a Milwaukee Native, but even more so a Midwest kid, his inspiration may be the spark that dwindles down the constant pain that is heard about so much in songs like “More Love.”  

Taiyamo Denku and Urban Legend ft Tragedy Khadafi “Deathwish” SONG

The Underground is where gold is found! This is proven by the amount of reach that is granted to two Midwest MC’s to go bar-for-bar with a Hip-Hop vet.. Taiyamo Denku and Urban Legend, while still working off of the momentum of their collab Album “Artistic Display,” continue to keep the integrity of the OG sound and flow of rap with their newest single “Deathwish.”  Aaaaand, as a cool surprise, the name of Juice Crew member Tragedy Khadafi appears as the feature on this track!! It’s the ultimate salute for any rap artist... Each of them taking a verse for themselves, the three lyricists do cartwheels and loopty-loops over yet another beat from Bo Faat with slick metaphors and imagery, giving nothing average. Tragedy, who’s history can be traced back to nearly the first decade of Hip-Hop’s takeover, leads the track without letting up but is followed by the light of Denku and Urban that refuses to be dimmed in comparison. Tell me how YOU feel about “ “Deathwish” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW

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.