Word at the CopyWrite "cooler" is there is lots of Fire being released today, and that's not just from Jay. New label, Indigenous Sound, Artist Elo has some "rap roots" that might just make you reanalyze the wave.
Check it out and let us know what you think!
/CW
Elo - cable Project: 10,000 Hours Project Release: 06/30/17 Producer: Thelonious Martin
You know that single we told you about yesterday? Well like promised it's here!
"After the 1 year anniversary of VanGREAT's debut ''UnGREATful'', Vincent VanGREAT releases his new single, ''A Message''! On this VVG produced record he features Milwaukee bass guitarist/artist Bo Triplex. This song displays VVG's ability to produce different genres of music, not just hip-hop. Listen as VanGREAT and Triplex relay ''A Message'' to the ladies! In a recent interview with OnMilwaukee, VVG hinted towards an upcoming project with his Uni-Fi teammateDana Coppafeel! Until then, dive into these new sounds from VVG!"
Vincent VanGREAT releases new record "A Message" Feat Milwaukee Bass guitarist/Artist Bo Triplex. This is the first release from VanGREAT since his Self Produced debut LP ''UnGREATful''! See Vincent VanGREAT live with Ninja Sauce and special guest SistaStrings July 6th, 6:45 PM, Milwaukee Wi, Summerfest Johnson Controls World Sound Stage!! https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qTipkKvPP5s1daJzcLeXs
Yup! That Part! Don't forget to catch Greats show at SummerFest too!
Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
/CW
Summer is here (even though this bipolar weather keeps trying to tell us otherwise), and that means Milwaukee is back in festival mode. Summer Soulstice Music Festival is always a great kickoff to that tradition, with local showcases, visual arts and lots of brew! This year CopyWrite favorite, Vincent VanGreat, invited us to see his performance on the East stage to bring in the summer.
Filled with cool collaborations from other local music sensations (including an opening act by the group, First Class, VanGreat’s younger brothers). VanGreat is not only showcasing his talents but the “greatness” of the entire 414 scene as a collective.
We talked to him after his energy filled set to pick his brain about his performance, his summer agenda, and all the local love.
CW: “How are you feeling?”
VVG: “I feel pretty good...I feel awesome actually.” He said with a huge smile on his face.
CW: “It was a cool performance. What made you want to select all those people to come on stage with you?”
There were appearances from Sista Strings, his SAFS Crew family Blizz McFly, Foreign Goods, the Rusty P’s, with an accompaniment of VanGreats band Ninja Sauce.
VVG: “well a lot of these people besides music are good friends of mine. They have been apart of my process. I’m growing as an artist and I wanted to share this opportunity...with people who put just as much work as I do in the MKE scene.”
Though this is not the first time Great has performed at Summer Soulstice, this is the first time he has headlined a set at the event. Last year he was a featured artist with the Rusty P’s. This time he returned the favor by bringing them for a song.
Rapper, Phantom Channel (Adam James) of the group had nothing but good things to say about VanGreat wanting to share his moment:
“It was fantastic. One, it's great to know somebody is thinking about you. Two, it's also the coolest sh*t you will ever get to do with your friends, and obviously, a large set like this is fun as hell. I was super happy to do it.”
Being a vet of Summer Soulstice, we had to get Adam’s honest opinion on how VanGreat performed:
“He was fantastic. We were actually commenting back here watching it. The band was incredible, the drummer was nasty...but the way he put that whole thing together was what made it cool. He is not just doing songs, he is giving you a real performance...it's great for your eyes and ears.”
Great felt honored to be even asked to perform at Summer Soulstice, feeling kind of slept on in the past. He feels that with these types opportunities he can showcase his talents and prove that he belongs.
Even the ladies of The Mini Classy (an upscale kids clothing line) also caught VanGreat’s set and were excited about it:
“Ohhhh it was rockin’. It had high energy and the people loved it.”
“I think it was really dope that he brought his brothers out first. They kind of set it off...All the performers were just hype!”
So the equation seems to work:
Opportunity + Energy x Collaboration = Dope Performance
CW: “ Ok so this is like the official summer kick off, so what do you have planned after this?”
VVG: “Well I will be at SummerFest July 6th, on the Johnson Controls stage at 6:45 pm, with my band Ninja Sauce and SistaStrings...again with a lot of the same faces you up there with me. We will be jamming out.”
(CopyWrite will also be covering SummerFest as official press so be on the lookout for us too.)
But there is more! Stay tuned for a collaboration that VanGreat and Dana Coppa have been viciously working on.
AND it just so happens that tomorrow (June 29th), he will be dropping a new single with the homie Bo Triplex.
CW: “Anything else you want to tell us, sir?”
VVG: “Shout out CopyWrite for the continuous support. I love y'all!”
We love you too!!!
(And that's how you #SupportTheLocal)
/Dirty ...Out!
Shooter: Freakish Nerd
"Before anything else, find yourself. Be yourself and love yourself."
This is Natt's hair journey.
My hair has always been an especially vital part of my life. During my upbringing, my hair was not taken well care of. For years I struggled with understanding how to love my natural curls and kinks. I started chemically treating my hair when I was seven years old. I believed that if my hair was straight, long and silky, it would make me feel more beautiful. But it didn't.
At 15 years old, I started to recognize that I was constantly trying to fit into European standards of beauty and it felt exhausting, unnatural and was destroying my self-esteem.
I remember watching YouTube videos of other black women's big chops into their natural hair journey. This was when the natural hair movement had just started on YouTube and it was so empowering. I attempted going natural 3 times in 1 yearbefore finally cutting off my relaxed ends and rocking a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro). I was 16 years old.
After falling in love with my natural hair my interest in locs transpired. I listened to these amazing stories of black people committing themselves to a journey where they let their hair do what it naturally does on its own, which is loc. I was very intrigued about how locs empowered individuals beyond a hairstyle. I learned about the fruitful history of locs, the different reasons to loc, the stages of locs forming and so much more. At 17, I was ready to challenge myself to a new journey in which I could truly let myself live for me and love who I am naturally.
My natural hair journey has not been easy, but it has been and continues to be filled with consciousness. I have never felt more beautiful, strong and myself.
I am now 24 years old, 8 years natural and slaying 7 years of locs. I've created a platform for myself on social media where I am able to document my loc journey and lifestyle. I create YouTube videos about natural hair/loc care as well model. I strive to represent the power of locs and the natural beauty of blackness.
- Natt
Have more questions for Natt?
Watch this Q&A video then subscribe to her YouTube page for more of her loc journey.
It's Tuesday. Which means you only have 3 more days to enjoy Milwaukee Downtown Dining Week.
Eat your way around downtown Milwaukee by sampling the city's top steakhouses, bistros and eateries. Starting on June 1st, the eight day event let's you enjoy three-course meals at $12.50 for lunch and $25 or $35 for dinner. Just pick your options from a list of preselected favorites, then enjoy.
Check out the available restaurants and menus here:
http://www.milwaukeedowntown.com/about-us/special-events/downtown-dining-week
Or look at this easy map to find your perfect restaurant to try:
Let us know where you're eating at and tell us what you think by mentioning @copywritemag and using the hashtag #downtowndiningmke.
We've been filling up already.
"First Class Music is back at again!! Releasing their NEW SINGLE, “PUER REGES”. Debuting from their upcoming project “PUER REGES”, Latin for "Boy Kings", set to be released late June."
Young and energetic, First Class, duo Skyy Huncho & Scottie Phresh, with the help of Julien Haygood, serve us with visuals from their album titled single “Puer Reges”.
These “Boy Kings” show us the symbolic life staged set for their success as they perform through their make or break moment. Of course none of that would be complete without money scattered everywhere, new age Jimi Hendrix fashion vibes and lots of self-motivated flexing.
“Aint nothing wrong wit it, I was born with it” they profess in their lyrics and they are here to show us what those, musical genes (being the brothers of MKE "Super Producer Vincent VanGreat) are all about. Baby steps, these two still have a ways to go but have more than enough will power and ability to get exactly what they are looking for.
“Young N***as on a mission” Well here's to the grind! #SupportTheLocal
Shot & Directed by: CEO Peso & First Class Music
See it here first!
Leave a comment & let us know what you think of these Puer Reges!
Shot, edited and directed by @CEOPESO
All this great weather, barbecues and cold PBR’s being passed around this weekend has the CW team thinking about all the great events that will be happening this summer, and how the movement has been picking up in our city.
We are still very excited about MKE culture striving and Pabst re-opening bringing our favorite Urban components together in one big celebration; Art, Music, Culture, and Community. We sent out CopyWrite’s newest intern, Garahbrie, to test the waters of PBR a few weeks ago, and this is what she had to say:
The Pabst Brewing Grand Opening street festival was an amazing event, and it was nice to see people from around the city come out just to have an enjoyable time. As CopyWrite’s newest addition I chose this as my first event to cover so Mahdi and I took to the streets!
Arriving I was nervous, there was a line three blocks long to enter the festival and there was SO much happening. I was starting to question why I took on something so large my first time around.
The festival took place on May 13, 2017 (at 1037 W Juneau Ave) to celebrate the reopening of the Pabst Brewery. Executive Director of the Milwaukee County Historical Society, Mame McCully explained on PabstMKEBrewery.com, “Pabst returning to Milwaukee is actually just a physical presence. It never really left in the sense that it’s always been Milwaukee’s beer. Just because it wasn’t made right here on Pabst’s grounds anymore, it didn’t stop existing for us. This is forever going to be Brew City, MKE, and it’s forever going to be the place where the major beer industry was born. It’s a return to their heritage.” This clearly not just exciting for Pabst but also for the city and culture around it.
Pulling into the parking structure with money in hand and the attendant noticed my CopyWrite press pass and let me right through! That readers, was INSANE! That really happens? I parked my car and got ready to make this three-block hike to the END of a very long line.
Walking by the entrance I was stopped AGAIN and told to go through, and that I didn’t need to wait, at that point I was FLOORED… Okay, CopyWrite! Intern perks are in full effect!
I interviewed festival goers just to get a feel of where people’s heads were at. When I asked, what made them come to the festival so many people responded, “I came for the beer and Ish Darr!” I must admit, I was excited to see Ish perform live as well, and it was definitely worth it! He performed tracks from his 2016 project “Broken Hearts and Bankrolls” and wrapped up by performing my favorite, “Too Bad.” I even snagged a pic with him after!
Two festival goers with forty ounce beers taped, yes taped, to their hands sparked my interest so I decided to ask them a few questions about how they were enjoying the festival with a response, “Welcome back Pabst, we’ve missed you! Woo Hoo!” complete with yelling and genuine laughter.
Other GREAT acts performed including, New Age Narcissism, Hugh Masterson, D’amato, Masked Intruder, and Abby Jeanne.
After catching some dope performances Mahdi and I got to meet MORE festival goers, and got some visuals that were to DIE for, everyone knows that I love Mahdi’s work.
I was randomly asked to play a game of cornhole (bean bag toss), which I SUCKED at by the way. I have bad aim and noodle arms. Not a match made in cornhole heaven folks. It was an amazing aura, being able to interact with complete strangers as if I have known them for years. The Pabst Brewery was able to make that happen.
There were tons of vendors and sponsors there as well! From OnMilwaukee, to Milwaukee Record, Moda 3, and 88Nine. I visited 88Nine earlier this weekend with Lexi and Mahdi, and as always, it was something great happening. The youth performed their original pieces to a very interactive crowd on the 88Nine stage, of course, CopyWrite was there because we have to #SupportTheLocal
This event was mad with networking, and love! The city made me proud! All in all, I am happy I chose this as my first event to cover. It got me so excited to see what Summer ‘17 has in store. Catch all that visual work though right here at CW!
/Garahbrie (CW Intern)
PS/CW: Personal Style with CopyWrite
Not all looks are meant to turn heads and break hearts. Fashion can be transitional, functional, and simply a way to feel confident in your own skin living your life, and not keeping up with the Jones's.
Our Editor-in-Chief Lexi a.k.a Dirty, recently took a weekend trip to the Bay (San Francisco & Oakland to be exact). On her quick trip, she reflected on her personal style, crossing over from travel, business, artsy pass times, and of course exploring the city. Here are some snapshots of a few of her looks, reflecting style with purpose.
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After shopping, packing and catching a flight to Cali and all while getting things CW approved, Lexi’s look shows she is ready for comfy Urban business handling; networking, running errands or meeting with people. In this photo, she’s styled her in an all-purpose outfit.
Suitcase Check List:
The next outfit you see Lexi wearing was inspired by her blond hair, adjusting to weather changes and busy day. Here she is on Berkeley's campus after attending an Urban Design critique. As you see she is prepared for the summer day with the black and white pinstripe romper & cover up. This definitely brings out her hair style (sassy new blonde). Lexi is ready to handle business in style.
Suitcase Check List:
The last look is awesome & my personal favorite!
For Lexi’s day around downtown San Francisco, shopping, seeing art exhibits and visiting design studios, she wore an oversized blouse, paired with every girl must have, black leggings. Everyone loves this lazy look but Lexi made it look professional and stylish. With her heels, matching her choker and her purse, she gave her look a consistent pop that is played up by accessories.
Suitcase Check List:
*As you can see black and white was the main colors pallet for this trip; this gave her lead way to adjust the outfits for the appropriate activity. Transitional looks keep you prepared for any environment.
You never know what may be on the agenda, but you always want to look good and be yourself doing it.
/Vato
"The photographer is a woman?" "Does she do fashion photography?" If there is anything city of angels native Olive detests more than being called a fashion photographer, I don't know what it is.
It has become an unwarranted assumption that if you possess a vagina and work in the creative realm, you live and die for the September issue. 19-year-old Olive is proving that women are interested in more than just what they wear.
This past February on a bleak Saturday, off a winding Chinatown road in Lower East Side Manhattan, Olive unveiled her first exhibit. A room of supporters ages 16 to 60 absorbed her stripped down aesthetic, but few knew what it took to get her to this point.
Olive moved from LA to Chicago to study at Depaul University in 2015. While attending full time and hustling at Uniqlo for cash to support her craft, Olive decided higher education was a distraction from her true calling.
"I understand some people need to go to college," Olive clarifies referencing her best friend’s intended graphic design career. "I told my parents I was taking a break from school so they would deal with it better. I still say that."
It has been just over a year since this free-spirited artist uprooted her life with $1,000 and a vision. Her method of fronting everything on her own dime including the event space for her first exhibit could teach people ten years her senior a thing or two. Saving enough money to make the move, finding a sublet, locking down a job, and then securing a second one is one of the hardest things she has ever done. But she did it.
Gifted with her first film camera by her dad at the age of 13, she began to become more interested in still images. In many ways, Olive has become a student in the school of life. In her spare time, she studies methodology and practice of photography always eager for self-improvement.
Some world renowned greats have even started to take notice like legend Rolling Stones photographer, Michael Halsband. Halsbands has worked with the likes of Mick Jagger. Though the newfound Harlem resident is not fond of celebrity photography, she wouldn't mind shooting her Filipino counterpart, Manny Pacquiao.
“He [Pacquiao] is the only star I would shoot,” Olive shrugs.
Real people living their lives unapologetically is Olive's take. Her growing collection of subjects she has shot features one common thread, showcasing them in their element. Her work is Whole Foods level meaning it feels organic, raw, and full of substance. There is no showbiz filter preventing you from seeing who they really are. An experience is what Olive is gifting the photography world, from blemishes to unkept background you get the whole story of who that person was in the moment the image was captured.
Olive is already adding a few more occupations to her resume. The next level Filipina has already directed her first short film narrated in French, which was filmed in Puerto Rico. On top of all that, Olive wants for women everywhere to define their craft themselves without the influences of what a woman should be interested in.
"I do see myself as a feminist. I am not a hardcore one. Being a female and a minority that only increases the power I’m about to take on. I advise women to keep working on what they love doing and trust that it will make a difference because it’ll ultimately shine through female generations yet to come."
“I am a documentary portrait film photographer currently living in New York City.”
By: A. Edmonds (CopyWrite Connect)
See more of Olive's work at http://www.wyaolive.com/
Plus follow her on Instagram and Twitter @wyaolive
nir·va·na
noun
(in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.
synonyms: paradise, heaven...
In Tye Motives, sophomore EP, he talks about his "Trouble in Nirvana." From suffering to desire to sense of self, Tye unravels some of his life stories over some crazy production from Maajei Vu. The elaborate and smooth beats compliment Tye's sound as his upbeat flow and catchy lyrics breakdown his journey.
Peep the project below.
Like the artwork? MKE local, Von Alexander was the creator. We see you Von.
Executive Produced By Maajei Vu Artwork By @whatsupvon
CopyWrite Magazine, Media & Design LLC is a Milwaukee based organization & company that promotes the ever morphing nature of Urban culture.
