VON ALEXANDER - Championships feat. Mike Regal (prod. DMND)

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**WARNING... TOO MUCH FIRE ON THE TRACK.**

When mentioning Milwaukee's ever-growing hip-hop scene, you will most likely hear Von Alexander & Mike Regal mentioned. They've proven themselves time and time again with creating, featuring, performing (and producing) the hottest and most wide-ranging tracks coming out the FOUR to date.

But what happens when you put these two heavy-weights on a DMND produced track?

Well we would say they literally murdered the track with no hopes for survival. Listen below and tell Vonny we'll be keeping our eyes open for MAYHEM 1993 hopefully coming sooner than we think. 

CHAMPIONSHIPS Written and performed by Von Alexander Featuring Mike Regal Produced by DMND MAYHEM 1993 COMING SOON Follow Von Alexander on Twitter: http://twitter.com/whatsupvon

​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.

VIDEO UNAVAILABLE TO STREAM

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.

VIDEO UNAVAILABLE TO STREAM

 

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)

Vatofied Experience Pop Up Fashion Show: Take One

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Our Fashion Editor is back at it again. This time to take his Vatofied Experience to new levels. 

Displaying the fall must-haves with a touch of his personal style on his models. Vato's first Pop Up Fashion Show for his Vatofied Experience took to the streets of Mason and Water to serve up some on-the-street fashion.

Though the weather was gloomy; the support was not. Making Vato's vision become reality. 

Check out the Full Experience in the video captured by our CopyWrite shooter Mahdi Gransberry... 

& CopyWrite has heard a rumor that this is not the last one to come. Let us know what you think. 

Presented by: Paid with Roots // Sponsored by: the style hub

Momentous ENT - The Momentous Compilation [TMC]

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This project is for music lovers. 

"The Momentous Compilation" (TMC) is brought to you by Momentous ENT. If you're not familiar with the name, Momentous is a Denver-based music corporation with two different units within. And when they're not helping artists record and perfect there craft, they also do some graphic design work too.

But back to the music... TMC is truly a compilation project. The range of sound goes from Indie Rock to Experimental Hip Hop to Jazz to Soul and much more. From the producers to the artists on the project, each track is perfectly suited for the tone of the song and gives a wide variety of what this Momentous and its featured artists can do. 

While some of the music was recorded and produced in Denver, Milwaukee is highly represented on TMC. (#WeSeeYou) Take a listen to one of our favorites part in Goth Shock's "Really Illi Milli" (2:20 to be exact) where this breakdown speaks on the "perks & benefits" of Milwaukee. Any Milwaukee Native will appreciate it.

Take a listen below and let us know what you think of this MOMENT.

 

 

#WCW Tasha Rae Jewelry

/ Tasha Rae Jewelry/

For most stylish individuals, a good piece of jewelry can change the whole look to your outfit.

So have you seen Tasha Rae's jewelry?

Located in BayView, Tasha Rae Jewelry offers handmade and modern accessories. All made with love from our new #WCW Tasha Rae herself. This lady boss is a "jewelry designer, blacksmith and fabricator." She is "inspired by old world traditions mixed with contemporary themes and [has] a persistent desire to create timeless accessories that convey confidence, uniqueness and style." 

You can see this all in the quality and craft of her products. We love it.

Check out her work below and visit tasharae.com to shop or take a class at there studio to make your own jewelry. #SupportTheLocal

All images provided and owned by Tasha Rae Jewelry.

( facebook.com/TashaRaeJewelry/ and tasharae.com )

Vato's Run Down On MKE Fashion Week 2016

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Milwaukee Fashion Week was definitely a memorable experience. The three days consisted of lots of style, designs, and beautiful people. Right in the mix of things, CopyWrite (CW) was in the building every night (styling, of course). As media, we even got to check out the scene before all the attendees arrived. As the crowd filled in on the first day, I began to observe what Milwaukee Fashion Week was really all about. With CW’s Editor-in-Chief, Art Director, and Photographer with me, we set out to find dope designers, fashionistas, and runway killers.

Let me give you a rundown of this 3-day event:

Day 1:

CopyWrite's attire for the night consisted of an Oriental theme; Chinese robes, chop sticks in hair, and accessories that matched to set it all off. We came in to notice that MFW made a mistake about the WHOLE TEAM (#SQUAD) coming to cover the event. But you know CopyWrite, we all still got in. We set up shop and started introducing ourselves to the many people we encountered. We even got to meet the individuals behind the scenes of the event; Deb, Abe, and Kryg. As well as Miss Wisconsin, who ripped the runway as a model for a few designers. During the intermission; CW got to highlight some styles from fashionable people, fun supporters, great designers, and even some of our followers. (See our Instagram this week). Our two design favorites for the night were B.A.Q, and Em Ris.

Fashion?

I'm guessing since it was the first day; not many fashionable people came. We felt a little over dressed. We went overboard coming in styled themes, but that’s just how CopyWrite likes to express ourselves (We do us!). However, the fashion in the show was awesome. It built anticipation for the days to follow.

Day 2:

Our presence at MFW was definitely notice the night before. We got in with no problem; "You guys are good," so we strutted on in. This day CW dressed in our own personal styles; to express our individuality but still reflecting our unity. I wore layers, with color coordination. Carsyn came with the classy but edgy side to her style. Lexi displayed her cultural eloquence look, and Madhi took on a clean punk rock hipster style.

Everyone must have talked up Fashion Week Day 1, because everyone got the memo now. There were so many faces in the building. So many fashionable people; I was thrilled to capture photos of the people in style. Black and white color schemes seemed popular. Men were styled in various jacket cuts; denims, blazers, and leather. Many of them even had on this seasons trending colors on. Great job to us men for putting a little time and effort in #WeSeeYou. I loved the look of women in the short and fitted dresses, long stylish skirts, and accessories that compliment outfits. People were definitely trying to make statements this time around.

Day 3:

The last day of Fashion Week, everything seemed to be moving fast; the people, the conversations, and the event itself. This was fun for us. My good associate, Christine Yang was one of the designers in the showcase with her line as Christine James. She without a doubt caught my fashion eye with her amazing choices in detail, style, and great music for her models to stump to. My favorite piece was the over the shoulder fur scarf. I can still see myself rocking it now.

This night, was a fashion must for attendees. Photos are a must see. But did you see the ladies of CopyWrite though???? Good Gawd. Everyone was dressed to impress; tailored suits, glamorous dresses, and all purpose outfits, rockin’ furs and prints. That’s what we all had been waiting for.

Fashion Week in Milwaukee was interesting to see. Maybe even kindled a few new features for the fashion spread in our next issue....stay tuned.

Overall, it had a good turn out. I've been in places around the city on a everyday basis with more fashion, and glamour then a fashion show, but this was all about the talented designers, and the great cause; supporting Pathfinders. I just hope the city sees the potential, and we strive for more in the fashion realm of the 414.

- Vato

See the photos of the event here.

 

 

 

GBizzle "Sandburg Flows" ft. Skratch & JO Prod. By DG Beats

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Yoooooo!

If you went to college in Milwaukee, no matter what school you went to you probably had a friend that stayed in the Sandburg dorms at UWM. Those nights kicking it used to be lit and the memories are indeed epic.

GBizzle, with his partners from the E.N.T squad, Skratch & JO, takes us back to those days with a flow inspired by those late nights, those indescribable moments, and the days that built there passion for rapping, bonded there brotherhood, and symbolizes the mind, body and spirit they call music. 

Damn we miss those days. Ahhh yes! Good times.

Check out the track, and drop a comment on your favorite college memories... we sure would like to know.

/CW

 

J-LAMO "WRITERS BLOCK" EP *COPYWRITE OFFICIAL DROP*

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J-LAMO has been working hard on his craft. He has been cultivating those "back to the basics" elements that most emcee's lately have skipped over in a quest for a fast come up, and high profile failure.

With his pen to the pad, he has been jotting down his thoughts like the old school rhymers. No BlackBerry with the side scroll. No Siri poppin' voice notes. No memo pad apps. Just the note books filled to the brim like the Holy Grail. 

With "The Mission" set a few months back, J-LAMO premiers here on Copywritemag.com, his new EP, "Writers Block". 

Finding his voice, he has created a dialogue that depicts the force that drives the pen to leak those #BARS, which sometimes we just have to force out.  Plotting on his maneuvers and identifying his human traits, J-LAMO pulls us into his 6 track demo depicting his world, the social duality, and the other side of the block.

He writes:

"Imagine this. A world segregated by two different sides.

One side, bright as day. A happy culture that inspires you. A place you can always visit and say hi to strangers because everyone is so happy.

On the other side. Not so sunny. You grow up with depression on this side because everyone hates each other. There's no love on this side, because it's impossible to envision growth.

.... But Fuck all that we on The Mission to build the Culture!"

 

As you set out on your own Mission, you might need to rack up on your theme music, so here it goes...Welcome to the BLOCK!

/CW

An imaginary story based on the segregated realities of the streets I grew up on. (Milwaukee, WI.) I go thru different moods during this journey which is what inspired "the act" of writer's block in the first place. It's a demo, but a story that I want people to figure out on their own as you listen. Welcome to the Block! Mixing/Mastering: Charles "Mammyth" Forsberg

Kenneth Whalum - Might Not Be Ok (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)

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I could go into the importance of this song, how relevant it is for today's society, how it should make anyone with a heart feel a certain way but I'll just say this:

We're tired. But we need you to listen. Really listen.

We know it's not okay.

Don't let this one go unnoticed. #SayThereNames

Vocal performance and production by Kenneth Whalum. Additional featured vocals by Big K.R.I.T. Keys and synth by Kris Bowers. Spotify: http://smarturl.it/MNBOKSp Apple: http://smarturl.it/MNBOKA