Slay with The Style Hub

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At CopyWrite, we think that your style is a quick snapshot of self.  Since it can quickly tell people who you are without you having to speak.

In the music industry (and sometimes in life), the way you dress and your appearance can get someone to take that extra second to stop and ask "Who is this person? And what do they do?" It's just how it works. Having a style, a steez, a look; can get you far; as long as you have the talent to match.

This is why we're introducing you to The Style Hub, an online directory offering an one-stop shop for style.

A women-owned and operated business, The Style Hub is there for all your style needs.

As a client, The Style Hub connects you to the people you need by managing all of your stylists needs in one. Need a wardrobe stylist? Need a makeup artist? Need a beautician? They're ready to help you with your needs from photoshoots to video shoots to parties. You name it.

As a stylist, The Style Hub works to feature talented stylists in the Milwaukee area increasing the stylists awareness and credibility as well as showing off their talents by hosting styling events in hair, beauty and fashion.

Check out some of the photos from their last event below.

And if you want to know more, subscribe to their website and stay informed on the official launch of the web and app coming May and July 2017 by liking their Facebook or Instagram page... 

IMAGES provided by The Style Hub.

** THIS IS A SPONSORED POST. **

However, we only sponsor businesses we believe in and would support regardless. No fake frauds here. You want in? E-mail us at copywrite.mke@gmail.com with your business information.

#SupportTheLocal

MKE Black Restaurant Week 2017

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Well first off... MKE Black Restaurant Week started today, April 17th and runs to April 24th. 

& we're already hungry thinking about these 18 delicious restaurants that we get to try (and re-try) with some dope dining specials. (Some specials vary from restaurant to restaurant.)

The first Black Restaurant Week took place last year and was organized by BlankSpace MKE, an online art cooperative. Here are this year's 18 participating restaurants (up from 14 last year):

Rise & Grind Cafe, 6007 N. Teutonia Ave.

Jizzle's Sandwich Shop, 4618 W. Burleigh St.

Skybox Sports Bar, 2213 N. King Drive.

Mama Nana's, 7276 N. Teutonia Ave.

Pass Da Peas, 7870 W. Appleton Ave.

Something Smells Good Monterrey, 551 W. Becher St.

Mr. Perkins Family Restaurant, 2001 W. Atkinson Ave.

Dee's Elegance Bar & Grill, 7420 W. Villard Ave.

Irie Zulu, 7237 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa.

Ashley's, 1501 W. Center St.

Chic Underground Lounge, 770 N. Jefferson St.

Mr. Bar-B-Que, 5908 N. 76th St.

Daddy's Soul Food & Grille, 754 N. 27th St.

Coffee Makes You Black, 2803 N. Teutonia Ave.

Tony's BBQ Unlimited, 3510 W. Villard Ave.

Yummy's, 10250 N. Cedarburg Road, Mequon.

The Big Eazy, 2053 N. King Drive.

Terri Lynn's Express, 10704 W. Hampton Ave.

CW Favorites: Something Smells Good, Irie Zulu, Daddy's Soul Food & Grille and The Big Eazy

Send us your photos of your local cuisine and what you loved about the restaurant by tagging us and using the hashtag #SupportBlackBusiness

And get more information here at the BlankSpace website: http://blankspacemke.weebly.com/mke-black-restaurant-week.html 

 

A CW Guide to Summerfest 2017

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You have probably seen the poster below flying around your social media platforms; but yes it is that time again to introduce the 2017 Lineup for Summerfest whose celebrating 50 years.

Since Summerfest (often) does a subpar job in the hip-hop/rap category we decided to make our own guide for all of our hip-hop loving/rap listeners who may enjoy some pop/R&B.

See our CW guide below.

 

Summerfest is June 28-July 2 and July 4 - July 9.

(List ordered by Date)

 

American Family Insurance Amphitheater Headliners

06.28 // Red Hot Chili Peppers (because we respect game)

07.02 // P!NK

07.04 // The Chainsmokers

07.08 // Future, Big Sean & Migos

 

2017 (GroundStage) Festival Headliners

06.29 //

Steve Aoki

Allen Stone

GGOOLLDD  #SupportTheLocal

06.30 //

Jon Bellion

07.02 //

Ziggy Marley

07.04 //

Alessia Cara

ISHDARR  #SupportTheLocal

Saba

Jamila Woods

07.05 //

T-Pain

Kyle

07.06 //

BJ The Chicago Kid

J Boog (Yes from B2K)

07.07 //

Atmosphere

Brother Ali

07.08 //

DNCE

_____

Some tickets for the Amphitheater can be bought here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/57479?brand=summerfest&CAMEFROM=CFC_SUMMERFEST_SFDarkAmpLinkdropdown

And you can always buy general admission tickets, multi-day passes here: http://summerfest.com/ticket-info/ Tickets start at $20 this year.

As we get closer to the days of Summerfest; we’ll keep you updated on Local acts to hit the stage along with Summerfest’s “Emerging Artist Series” that usually ensures that someone in our local scene gets a piece of the stage.





 

CW at SXSW: Day Two Video

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Watch our recap video from Day Two at SXSW... 

Spotted! Celebrities everywhere and we want parts!

Benzino, Kap G, Bre-Z, 5ive Mics, T.I. and some other names y'all ain't ready for were all in the mix downtown Austin.

Our exploration lead us to Art, Music, Fashion, and Culture. All the things we live for.  

We flipped the script rapping bars for local artists in exchange for dope street beauty shots. 

J-LAMO "Takers" *COPYWRITE OFFICIAL DROP

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New single from J-LAMO premiering here on Copywritemag.com

“They busted the windows, out of my car and took all my shit.”

J-LAMO has had some unfortunate luck in the past few months. Who breaks into the trapper and steals a rapper's note book? Bumssssss!

Teaser for new single titled "Takers"

Well, no worries, you take, he takes back.

“Takers” is all about J-LAMO’S position change and come up. As he grinds harder he notices the minor setbacks that look like a defeat but are nothing but motivation, hence the song. After his demo album release “Writers Block”, he has had his pen to the pad and his mind strictly on the “Mission”.

He wants the top spot and his victimizing moment gives him insight on how to flip the script.

This new track, “Takers”, produced by MKE fav Mammyth, is J-LAMO’s redemption, his stance against the bull shit and his perspective on fire.

As always, catch the word play and the very “midwest reppin” feel.

You heard it here first! TAKERS!
#WeSeeYou J-LAMO, snatch that up!

 

I am no longer the lick.............. I'm TAKING IT!!!! Produced and mixed by Charles "Mammyth" Forsberg

Epic Shit Toronto Ni**a Go Crazy // Day Three at SXSW

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Day 3 CWatSXSW: 

They are out here Wildi'n. They are out here Actin'. They are out here and we got a piece of the action!!!!

One more night in the city of Austin and it was definitely an eventful one coming from the CopyWrite perspective.

Dirty: 

Pool side sittin', glamour shot gettin'...Is that Lex/Dirty in a swim suit Pimp'n?

Yes indeed! 

Day 3 started of with an impromptu photo shoot with me poolside getting fried like chicken, glistening in baby oil! (S/O to the best Shooter ever, Mahdi). The fun ego booster was followed by a trip to the SXSW Convention Center, where I got a chance to sit in on Conversations with T.I. , where he premiered his new short film, US or Else. The #SociallyResponsible, commentary on societal norm of police brutality, with its 3 perspective roll played by T.I. himself, was meant "to inspire healthy dialogue." 

During his QA with SWAYYYYYYY (Me & Sway took a selfie by the way)  T.I. commented on the structure of Police and Community interaction and using criminal activity as a means of survival saying: 

"How can you play fair when everyone else is cheating?...We out there gambling they out there winning!" The music, the film, and T.I.'s current public political & social stance, is arguably some of his most powerful work thus far.

Ummm But about last night...Did Jazz Cartier really tell the security guard to suck his dick? Did Jazz really hang from the ceiling like a batty bat bat? Did Jazz really kick a security guard in the face? On his birthday? Is that how y'all rockin' it in Toronto? Good Gawd!

(But after the hustle and bustle I also ran into Chicago's Westside Fyeee Saba! (Selfie time!)

 

Day 3 was Epic. I need a Nap!

Syn:

It's a photoshoot! After art directing Dirty's photoshoot (swimsuit calendar coming soon); I had my own. It was coollllll. Mahdi (as you know) makes every women beautiful so it was easy and relax. In between doing my photoshoot and art directing another photoshoot for CopyWrite Connect Ariel, we got chicken! Nom Nom Nom.... 

Then proceeded to music, music, then fugazi. AJ Tracey (from London) was dope. Kodie Shane was fiya. Saba killed it and we're basically friends now. (He probably knows my face at least and we've had more than one conversation lol. Milwaukee Show April 4.)

And then this man; Jazz Cartier....

dope beats, decent bars but for his performance.... stay on the stage and the ground and don't kick the staff and don't beat up fans and well you get the point. 

Freakish:

CW came through the Empire Control Room to see the "Bubblegum Trap" Stylings of Kodie Shane. Little did we know we were also seeing Saba. We were supposed to see him last night, but we never made it (Karma looking out for the homies).

Before Saba, I'm looking at the lineup and I ask a stranger "Who is Jazz Cartier?" He responded "Jazz is cool. He a little wild in his shows tho, but that's my mans. He real cool." He pulled out his snapchat to show us some videos of Jazz performing earlier in the week, he has great energy.

Jazz Cartier is a Toronto rapper and he actually seems pretty cool. Great beat selection for sure, but I wasn't really feeling his verses. Listen to this track as you read on because it puts you in the headspace...

This show was WILD, BABY. WILD. Early in the show Jazz told us it was his birthday and so it's safe to say he was under some influences. This man was hanging from a makeshift rod holding up the projectors and lights for the stage. One of the Empire Stage Crew members ran off to gather the Empire's greatest warriors to protect the house. After Jazz Caviar finished his song, new Empire personnel appeared on both sides of the stage. There was this skinny, Thor-looking dude on one side posted and ready to hop on stage at any given notice and on the other side of the stage you had a Puerto Rican dude in all black, another white guy holing up the door and the star gladiator... Black Guy with Rolled up Short Sleeves and Glasses (Glasses).

You could tell Glasses is all about business. He's there to do one job... protect the Empire (you know he was the HNIC because he had the ear piece). The show keeps going and Jazz once again hangs on the rod and the whole team gets up to tell him to get down. Jazz Chardonnay shoves Glasses and Glasses just stands back.

Strike One.

Jazz's DJ comes in and gets him down realizing his friend was about to take an L. In retaliation for being told what not to do on his birthday, Jazz tell security (specifically Glasses) to "suck his dick" and invited several audience members on stage to crowd surf with him.

Strike Two.

Jazz didn't crowd surf tho. He was literally walking on the crowd and hanging from the banisters. He was hanging upside looking like Blackula while rapping his song 'Dead or Alive.' The man was damn near Tarzan-ing himself across the crowd until he stood on the sound table.

When Jazz first started to bring up people I put my backpack on and unplugged Dirty's phone. I just had that feeling that we'd have to make a quick move. Security walks calmly through the crowd to tell Jazz Capri-sun to get off the sound table (the sound guys were freaking all the way out by the way) Jazz KICKS Glasses in the face.

Strike Three.

Jazz drops from the ceiling and is brawling with security. One of his boys (who invited Syn to an after party with Jazz and KYLE during the show) leaped off the stage and started SWINGING on everybody. Even the bystanders trying to break up the fight. I end up next to Saba and we just looking like "YOOOOOOOOO! How did this even happen???" You'll see footage of our after talk in the recap video.

SXSW ended with a bang (and we definitely weren't going to that after party) and it was exciting. Looking forward to staying longer next year and finally getting a good taco.

CW/Circle MoBB will definitely be back in Austin soon.

Art, Music & Fugazi // Day Two at SXSW

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CWatSXSW Day Two:

Spotted! Celebrities everywhere and we want parts!

Benzino, Kap G, Bre-Z, 5ive Mics, T.I. and some other names y'all ain't ready for were all in the mix downtown Austin.

Our exploration lead us to Art, Music, Fashion, and Culture. All the things we live for.  

We flipped the script rapping bars for local artists in exchange for dope street beauty shots. 

Our interview with tech savvy boss ladies at Hyphen- Labs is bound to be a great article, and we must add how we all looked hella fly walking down these Austin Streets. Who is going to put us on a fashion blog?

The action is where the people are and the SXSW energy is proving to be contagious. The elements are all stacking up...it's the lifestyle. 

Dirty:

Crystal coded jaguar statues, kimchi french fries with bomb fried tofu, and chit chats with boss ladies and celebrities...OH MY!  Heaven is this you? 

Day 2 at SXSW was my style of exploration. #PopAustin gallery was so refreshing. I got my daily dose of art with a side of complementary Step & Repeat selfie booth and color changing lights - Everywhere we go its a photo shoot!  Stopped into Luxe Apothecary Boutique. I almost spazzed, but I recovered, only walking out with one frame of Geechie sunglasses. My virtual reality experience provided by the ladies of Hyphen-Labs, made me feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world as a women of color ( I cant wait for you guys to read my interview with the team). Once again 6th street was poppin, but y'all have got to stop handing me mixtapes. I only have TWO hands! Email me that shit, QR Code, or somethin! #UPDATEYOURHUSTSLE2017

I think my favorite part of the day was my chat with Hustle Gang's 5ive Mics. We had previously met a few years back in the MKE airport and he is just a very pleasant and interesting gangsta so running into him again here at SXSW was cool. S/O's to 5ive. 

I hope today at SX we can amplify this feeling... Imma need my kimchi on a taco while i'm sitting on a giraffe made of diamonds. Clearly anything can happen in Austin. Weird!!!!

Freakish: The art in the city is so fresh. So many little random pop up galleries and street paintings on walls, I know I'm going to come home looking at Milwaukee like...

I had the BEST tofu. It was marinated and fried and just yes. Pure yes. Walked 5.7 miles around the same 6 blocks. I don't know what St. Patrick's Day is like on Water Street in Milwaukee, but St. Patty's down here? SO MANY PEOPLE. We got tricked.

SIXTH STREET // From the balcony

SIXTH STREET // From the balcony

Syn wanted to go to 5th Street first and ease into 6th. 5th was cool. Walked in to this Russian theme bar with a wall of "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Vodka (from Peach and Mango to Mixed Nuts and Horseradish)" and saw this dope group call OSHUN. They're like a Neo-soul/Rapping/singing/Black Excellence duo. I'm sure somebody will link their Instagram right here. Literally got called into the bar from the sound of Trumpets and Electric Rhodes. THEN WE MADE THE MISTAKE OF GOING TO DIRTY SIX. So many people. So much skin. So many smells. So many things on the ground. We literally moved to higher ground for safety in a bar on the corner. We didn't make it off the corner!

Starting to feel a little claustrophobic down here. I need to see more of the city. Maybe a rest day. Austin is wild, B.

Syn:

Day Two was interesting to the say the least.

In every city I visit, I need to see the art. Whether that's the graffiti, the fashion or even a painting; I need to see it alive in the city. Day Two brought exploration of exhibits along with a really cool mixture of art and technology (Have you ever done VR at an art show?)

We interviewed a dope group of female boss ladies. Got really amazing food from Chi'lantro, a food truck. Peeped some celebrities.... I was called a "Gangster" by Love & Hip Hop Star Benzino. Got posted on Shea Moisture Instagram page for my hair. ☺️ Saw OSHUN and the LIVE LIFE LOUD band kill the stage. Witnessed an apocalypse amount of people on Sixth Street while TIP and Hustle Gang made sure their presence in the city was known with a quick walk-thru. & we celebrated my people (Happy St Patrick's Day y'all.) 

CW at SXSW // Day One

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We're on our adventure and exploring Austin, Texas like real hipsters, who love music, haven't been in heat in months, and can't stop staring at all the dopeness.

Day One at SXSW:

"Look at that yo!" was probably the tagline of the day, besides the epic reference to support local business, "Keep Austin Weird." Everything was eye catching, and random; just the way we like it. 

Austin SXSW scene reminds us of MKE's Water Street mixed with a Brady Street facade. The urban elements popping, the black magic enticing, and the street fashion too Steezy from day to night. 

Everyone here is looking for a connect, playing a showcase and grilled up. (mouth shots!)

IMG_6687.PNG

We checked out the Mazda Studio at Empire to catch Talib Kweli's set, which was packed, lit and of course, an honor.

We also got a chance to see The Blood is at the Doorstep, the documentary about Dontre Hamilton & his family, directed and produced by Erik Ljung, which premiered here at SXSW. (CW thought the documentary was very thought-provoking, and well filmed. #SupportTheLocal)

Guess who else is in town? Mike Regal! Dropping #Bars (of course) at the Coast 2 Coast showcase.

Let's see what today brings...we are excited to see if the SXSW culture is just what we need to put our own city on the map and FULLY in the mix.

Freakish: 

This is probably going to be the story of how I fell in love with Austin and just like any love story, it starts with me playfully disliking this city. There's no where to park, food is expensive, and I still haven't had a good taco.

Lines are long, people are rude, and I've had to change socks like three times, but this city is beautiful, and even through the driest of dry heats, I can see what brings people here. The knick-knacks are weird, the people are weirder, and there's a welcoming vibe flowing through the bamboo stalks around the corner from our hotel.

I can see myself loving this city, but for right now I'm admiring from a distance waiting for her to show me who she really is.

Syn:

"KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD, MAN!" & it won't be that hard when you're in this environment. 

SXSW; thus far, has been a hub for some dope shit. My favorite part is the intertwining of different cultures and the natural hair love was REAL. From #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy; you could see the support of the Puff and I love that. #SupportThePuff #MyCurlsWasPoppin #PinkFroGang #BetYouCantDoItLikeSyn... Even brands like Shea Moisture were in the city; supporting hair styles and types of all kind with a glam squad on hand, free products and of course some dope Instagram posts. (I may or may not be on their Instagram soon @sheamoisture)

Dirty: 

"CW is Sexi." - Words from a group of guys standing in the middle of 6th St.

It never fails no matter were we go, they notice. Good...because we are watching too. Talking to strangers, about fashion, music and where they are from always gives me a feel for the event. Who is at SXSW, and why does it matter? No matter where we go I want to see the REAL. There is nothing less intriguing then overly Bougie Street festivals cultivated by posers...and I know Bougie. Austin seems like a good balance of culture, people hungry for a moment to shine, and music...Music, Music, and Music. It gives me hope that maybe home can build something similar...I want this movement. I want this moment. This is research: Put in the work. Create the change. Perspective Babyyyyyyy! 

PLUS 

Supporting every genre of music was a beautiful thing to see. Seeing different people support local and bigger name artists was amazing. It was for every kind of person that wants to come together in one united front.

From civil protests on the streets of 6th to the perspective of seeing Milwaukee in Austin; I couldn't help but feel (a little) at home.

Love & All Things Urban,

/CW (GVNG GVNG SQUAD CIRCLE MoBB) 

Shooter: Mahdi Gransberry

#100Womxn

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Today is International Women's Day. And while CopyWrite is a proud women owned and operated business, we couldn't help but take this moment to recognize Corey Fells for his "100 Womxn" project.

Inspired and crafted as an ode to his mother, Pookie; Corey has crafted a project that shines a light on the beauty, growth and strength of millennial womxn of color. Featuring a range of womxn from local entrepreneurs, artists, mothers, sisters and so much more; Corey uses photography to document the essence of these 100 womxn and to tell their stories.

Ultimately, the project itself tells an interesting visual story as the main figures share multiple commonalities along with a common place - being womxn and physically being in the same space at different moments. Pay special attention to how the background changes with time in this series.

So thank you Corey ... Pookie would be proud.

Check out some of the portraits below then see the rest on his website here. 

Insider Note: CopyWrite was in the middle of shooting our #SociallyResponsible campaign video when Corey asked us to participate. We were not ready. Hahaha