Huey V- “Mixed Personalities” MUSIC VIDEO
/There’s no letting up from Milwaukee’s own Huey V. The WHMG artist’s views continue to rise into the millions and he’s getting the right attention from some major media outlets. His latest music video “Mixed Personalities” was exclusively premiered on BET Jams & Hot 97 late September telling the story of how the grind towards musical success can cause one to become distracted from certain promises made to those closest to them. Huey V is seen coming home to his girlfriend only to be rejected by her due to his repetitive disloyalty. An argument forms and the scene changes to Huey V still in conflict with her over the phone while in bed with someone else. Mixed messages and blurred expectations are heard throughout his lyrics. The back and forth of being forgiven and forgotten takes a toll on both sides and there seems to be no clear direction for this relationship. While in a red lit room he expresses “...The grass aint always greener though, When I'm in my bag I forget about you..” as he attempts to console his girl who has had enough. At the same time he is passively rejecting his temptress’ efforts to regain his attention, proving this cycle to be nowhere near an end. Tell me how YOU feel about “ Mixed Personalities ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW
G-Gifted- “Zone” SINGLE
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G-Gifted’s newest single “Zone” speaks from the perspective of the ‘strong friend.’ You know, the one who always knows what to say when we need that extra bit of strength but ends up facing a lot of their battles by themselves? Yeah that one (Call them!). While keeping up with the current running theme of his life- self care, accountability, and growth, for which he named his latest project- G-Gifted is also learning to be a bit more celebratory of his accomplishments and has taken on some pride for his development, but not before spitting a few lines of transparency. Without sugar coating his truth, he speaks on some of the elements of his life that have contributed to his depression. From having low self esteem and uncertainty amongst his social circle to having big blows like the loss of his Aunt, the young rapper had a lot to overcome. His silent coping style and strong exterior had given those around him the impression that he was unaffected by life’s day to day obstacles. Of course as people we know that no one is immune to the harshness of life. Through that pain, G-Gifted had become overly humble about the good qualities of self growth but with the triumphant anthem that is Zone, he gives himself that much needed pep talk. The one that we all deserve! Tell me how YOU feel about “ Zone ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW
2Hi “All Good” MUSIC VIDEO
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After almost a year since “White Lighter Bad Luck,” 2Hi is already excited to give us new material! The roll out for his new EP HEY GANG!, which dropped on Monday, started back in August when a snippet of the project’s lead single “All Good” was posted on his instagram. After about a month of promo, the Single officially dropped on September 6th with the music video dropping the very next day. 2Hi is playing into the image of being a menace to society yet I don't believe that the creative element of storytelling has been completely neglected. The exaggeration of illegal activity shown could be an interpretation of how the world chooses to view a collection of young men who operate as a unit and hustle hard with all the energy that they have to give.
“... Brand new bands, count that quick, watch my hands, I’m Good. No new friends, new demands, making sure we All Good...”
The frequent use of red- red lighting, red ski mask, red phones and red scarves are all symbolic of the chaotic atmosphere that is assumed to come from the movement that is young artistry. The grittiness of the camera filter, tight shots, and editing style is similar to that of a docu-film- another example of a platform where certain images are shown to provoke an idea of the lifestyle that young black men are bound to live when they are independant and refusing to conform. It could be all of that, right?
OOORRR…
We are just seeing an energetic 2Hi who enjoys riding around doing hoodrat things with his friends. You tell me… How do YOU feel about “ All Good ” Milwaukee? /Naomi-Re’a for CW
Jon Henry- “All U Touch & All U See” MUSIC VIDEO
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Still keeping the theme from his latest EP “Young World Street,” being a proud Milwaukeean is the beat that Jon Henry steps to unapologetically. His off-kilter persona combined with quality visuals and camera work produced through the collaborative efforts of himself and another creates an artistic identity for Henry. Well, this Week he dropped a new video, shot all by himself, for his new song “All U Touch & All U See.” Jon Henry is seen taking a drive in the night time, solo, and then there is an immediate switch to daylight where we see The Fiserv Forum behind him as well as other familiar downtown east side locations as a shout out to the areas where most of our artists are seen when it's time to perform.
The back and forth of night and day and loppy visual effects portrays the lifestyle of anyone, particularly in music, who is no stranger to working and hustling in the day time, alone most often, and coming alive artistically and socially at night, making sense for why the words “work hard” and ”play hard” show up on the screen at separate points in the video. The haunting melody of the chorus brings it all together with Henry singing “All you touch and All you see, is all your life will ever be..” Life is what we make it and one can either settle for the loop and delusion of the hustle life or be committed to the growth that comes from its consistency. Tell me how YOU feel about “All U Touch & All U See” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW
Marijauana XO and Joe Pablo “Window Service 1&2”
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When it comes to Milwaukee music, lately I’ve been hearing that everybody sounds the same. The Mil is known for “dumper music” in a rap scene that’s heavily dominated by males. Fans feel like a lot of our artists rap alike or talk about the same things, and I agree to an extent. But within the large ocean of Milwaukee rappers, even those who stick to the shallow side of music, I’ve discovered two sharks. MarijauanaXO and Joe Pablo, in my opinion, are Milwaukee’s best rap duo right now. After the release of “Window Service” in 2021, they had us in a chokehold. From “Shake Back”all the way down to “Half a Book”, most of us had this album on replay. “My Brother”became one of the top songs in the city. Again….CHOKEHOLD!
“Take the phones, it ain’t none call me when you get yo self together. If you got half I got half, we can split whatever. And if I got it then you got it, we in this sh*t forever. Get on his a** if he slacking but it’s for the better.”
I damn near started rapping as I was typing, literally. This past May, they dropped “Window Service 2”, a highly anticipated sequel to the first. My favorite song on this one is “Keep Grindin” or “Fire Brings Ice”. “Make a left, I just seen em at the lights, gotta make it home. Say my prayers every night, in that cell you on yo own so you better get it right. But i’m like how the f-in hell did this fire bring me ice?” When we talk about rap as a genre, some of the most important things that determine your success are content, rhythm, rhyme, cadence, tone, etc. Joe Pablo creates the cadence with his melodic rapping style, his hooks are always catchy. XO comes in on the verses with a completely different sound than Joe Pablo, but he always matches energy with whatever verse he spits. “They telling us to move outta town if we wanna make it, too many n-ggas that’s around that be slick hating. Told my brother watch my back hope he don’t stab me in it…” .“Quit Perpin” and “9 Times Outta 10” are the best examples of this rhythm and synchronicity between them.
Granted, we all can’t relate to everything they talk about. We can’t relate to a lot of stuff that our favorite rappers talk about. But the thing about good music is, even if you can’t relate, you can understand. And if you’re anything like me, when you really “get in mode”, it doesn’t matter if you can relate or not, you’re gonna sing it like you do! Moral of the story, Milwaukee music has something for everybody. Tap in with XO and Blo! Let me know what y’all think!
/Pam from CW
Clayton- “Tempting Fate” EP
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Ladies!! The Musical Men of the Mil Have been exposing their little hearts all ‘22! What’s in the air??
Clayton is quickly on his way to becoming the heart throb of the city with the drop of his new EP Tempting Fate. After quietly going through a break up this summer, Clayton went through moments of confusion and the war between moving on and what he thought made him happy made him conflicted. He took it straight to the studio and alongside Yogic Beats, Casey Soyk, and M&M Systematik, he produced a project that is “..most dear to my heart..” from his own words. The Cover Art is a scrapbook style collage of photos, both current and from his childhood- some are candids and some are from familiar moments of him as an artist. Clayton let us know that the first two tracks “Better Alone” and “I Wonder” were his two faves from this 4 track EP. He also gave them special attention on his insta with a couple of “Photo” Reels where he is styled to a ‘T’ in 5 looks and in the caption, gives brief insight on the context of each song; ”.. A song expressing pure confusion and frustration in regards to finding “true love”. No matter how good something may feel, it never quite feels right,” He wrote about “Better Alone.” I gathered the same on my first listen. The slow, consistent tempo of the instrumental allows the young vocalist to take his time and really deliver his emotions.
Only during the last minute of the song does the beat intensify in the slightest and Clayton compliments it with his vocalizing. For “I Wonder” he wrote “... A song about somebody who continued to run through my mind regardless of how badly I wanted to be alone.” This one had a tad bit of funk in it but still true to the R&B flavor. Through the remainder of this project, the young artist goes through highs and lows of convincing himself that it must not have been meant for he and his ex-lover to last while also acknowledging the things that he did receive from the relationship, making it real all over again. Tell me how YOU feel about “ Tempting Fate ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW
OnlyDev “Badu Breakdown” VIDEO DEBUT
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A stumble upon OnlyDev’s music has quickly turned into a solo discovery of underground talent. After the release of “GMN” this past June, “Badu Breakdown” off of his latest EP, “Se7en” has given me a new anthem. This is Dev’s first music video and it was definitely well executed. From the beginning of the video, I was intrigued by the shadow figures of the Black women. It foreshadowed the mood and tone of the single. Immediately after, I hear one of my favorite parts of the entire song which is the sample of Summer Walker’s “Stretch You Out” featuring A. Boogie. His beat selection is always on point, in my opinion. His cadence always aligns perfectly with the vibe of whatever beat he uses. The song is a serenade to his Black goddess, his “Badu”. The reference to the famed Erykah Badu alludes to his respect for her spirituality and divine essence. “She say she my new Badu, keepin’ it 3 stacks she probably is.” Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu reference, it’s giving power couple vibes.
Throughout the video, there’s transitions between Dev spending quality time with his Badu and his friends. It personifies the idea that “even when there’s a room full of people, all I see is you.” I really loved that aspect, especially because the close ups of they’re eye contact show you that clearly it was vibe in the room. His four models that were featured in the video reminded me of the muses from Hercules. The entire video overwhelms you with Black beauty and creativity. “I’m just a libra, I bring balance, U bring the boat, I bring the paddle. We both stroke until we make it.” “My lil shawty do hoodoo, she like who do you think you is?” I have so many parts of this song that I admire but to sum I’ll say that once again, I am impressed. This is one of my favorite new love songs. Milwaukee has an amazing R&B scene, next time you think about checking it out, look up OnlyDev.
“Badu Breakdown” should be on every Black girl’s playlist, this is a serenade to the girls!
How y’all feel about it?
/Pam from CW
Tori MF Zo- “Mercury III.” EP
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Tori MF Zo is a digital artist with lyrical depth and lots to share. He recently dropped the first part to his 3 part “Mercury” series, Mercury III. He has been a student of Hip Hop’s greats for his entire life and in the past has heavily combined this admiration with his visual editing skills on his insta feed. Although not a stranger to dropping his own music, I think that Zo knows that this right here is some heat! “Where Did my Love Go?” This first track covers themes of detachment, instant gratification and adapting to a cold heart. Zo expresses his innate desire to be better and remain focused but with the reality of a heartless World, he must trade in some emotional value for meaningless moments in order to avoid getting caught slippin’. Nonetheless, he sees his method of coldness as more merciful than what it could be if he had completely abandoned his sense of self- “...Mistaking my kindness, awaken a tyrant. Lucky you met me in days of a simp, Let you had met me in days of a pimp, You would be taking my shit and be paying my rent…”
-oop, Yup that’s what he said.
The tough act only proves to be impenetrable for so long, though. “Weeping Warrior'' is the emotional counterpart to the first track, telling of how the turning of a cruel World will eventually weigh in on One’s sanity and their hope for a more ideal world. The final track, “The All,” is literally just that- “all” of Tori MF Zo’s feelings and thoughts crammed into a single attempt at explaining the World in one view. That view is that the World and the people in it are not one thing. The World starts off as fantasy for some and darkness for others; People are seen as collectively selfish but in all of our hearts we want to help others per the opening quote at the beginning of the song. The World can be small in one perspective and cosmic to those who believe that their words and ideals create the world around them. It is only as we get older that humanity’s true colors show themselves to us. Bravo Tori MF Zo! Tell me how YOU feel about “ Mercury III. ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW
Deshun Jeston- “Symptoms of Heartbreak” PROJECT
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Deshun Jetson released his first project on August 5th called “Symptoms of a Heartbreak” and it's hitting all the feels. From top to bottom, themes of emotional grief, heartbreak, breakups, and despair are heard from the young musician who’s instagram post on the release date gave some transparency as to what inspired his lyrical content: “I Spent a year and a half working on this project trying to recover from the darkest time in my life. I was stuck in a toxic relationship that was hard to get out of and I lost my little cousin on September 8th, 2021. These songs are filled with a lot of raw and unfiltered emotions showcasing heartbreak…” The intro track is a quick mix of what one’s playlist may sound like after a bad breakup, using songs by recognizable artists like Tory Lanez and Aaliyah before the second track “Time You Wasted” begins, kicking off Jetson’s own heartbreak playlist essentially. Outside of the ability to express himself emotionally, “Symptoms of a Heartbreak” is proof of his skill and talent as a musical engineer and producer as well. The sonic choices that were made were very contrary to the norm of today’s culture of heavy 808s and base. Instead, the sound of this project is that of a classic garage band; the production consists mostly if not completely of the sounds of live instrumentation and raw melodic vocals, cleverly giving us a holistic experience of what true expression sounds like. Tell me how YOU feel about “ Symptoms of a Heartbreak ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW
