WoLF Studios Presents: “ReVibe” Vol.2- Soul [Post Event Write Up]

"If you place the emphasis on getting the little things right, and address the everyday problems that come up, you can encourage a culture of attention to detail."

- Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Records

 If there’s anyone who is all about that it’s Wanyah Leon Frazier, CEO of WoLF Studios, a Milwaukee based Multi-Media Production Company that knows what it's SUPPOSED to look like- whatever “it” is. On November 6th, WoLF Studios presented “ReVibe” Vol. 2 - Soul at MARN Art Bar + Culture Hub, Vol.1 being held last year in the heat of the pandemic at No Studios. Ya’ll, this presentation was splendid! Located in Milwaukee’s downtown area, MARN is already a cozy space to be in with the bar in eyes view as soon as you walk in, the walls and back bar having a vast array of wine, and the wall art, jewelry, and other art pieces from different creators on display and couch seating waiting for us to indulge in it all, comfortably. But WoLF Studios’s presence took it up a notch with a sold out full house audience. With melodic affirmations by Queen Mother of WoLF Studios and hostess Kenza Dawn (“Don’t it feel good to be aliiiiive...”), audience appearances from singer B~Free, visual artist Ashley Dallas, who was presenting art that night, poetry vet Brit Nicole, and some of us from Team CopyWrite, we all shared the experience of being witnesses to the wonderful siren-like vocals of Felix Ramsey, the lovely Lotus Fankh, beautiful interpretive dance demonstrations by DeMar Walker, Tori Lauren, Sophia Leon, Taylor Maurchie-Banks, more wall art displays by Adjua Nsoroma, and spoken word by Deolinda Abstract and Tori Zo. From the lighting to the servitude to the all around production of this event, anyone would want to be apart.

CW: I have to comment on how wonderful this event turned out to be- the setting is perfect, the audience is perfect AND diverse...everything is how it's supposed to be. Would you give [the readers] a background on what ReVibe is, where it came from, how long you've been doing it, how long you planned on doing it- what's the meaning of ReVibe?

WF: So, um, ReVibe is my interpretation of some of what the art community is missing, and it happened during Covid. Basically, during Covid a lot of the white-based organizations all had things [ready for] all for their artists but there weren't many organizations of color that were providing avenues for people to perform during Covid…I wanted to see more color...plain and simple. That's all I wanted to do, so we had ReVibe last year- it was at No Studios, we had a great time, we had a plethora of artists and it was just a vibe, basically. And so I’m like okay I need to do this every time now because as I move into it, even before, there aren't many platforms for us. We don't see them, they're not there, so I am a strong believer- I dont beg for things, I make them. I'm an artist, right? So I was like let’s make more platforms. Let's add more places where performers, of any genres really, can feel comfortable to step in, perform, have new pieces, have that same level of creative freedom that other white-based organizations or any organizations in general are able to provide for their artists and their employees; I want us to have that same level of artistic freedom here.

CW: Absolutely. And of course you want to start pouring that into where you're from- the home city that you grew up in, but do you plan on taking that elsewhere or is that something that  you haven't looked forward to yet?

WF: So my hope- my real goal is to take WoLF Studios national and have a pop up organization that shows up in different cities, set up a base and does similar things to what we're doing here in other places providing that platform- that space where artists of different genres, of different talent levels can get together and produce meaningful works, so I see this as almost like a multimedia-art studio that just sets up shop in another city; we host performances, we have galleries, we have things that showcase and provide that platform for already talented artists to really make it a career. 

CW: You said ‘already talented artists...’ What about the people who may just be figuring out what they want? Is there a lane for them in ReVibe... how do you operate with that group?

WF: We have it set to different levels. Depending on what it is we have entry level performances, which are more so our community performances, performance experiences for artistic development, we have that level of our organization that focuses on building the artists and making sure that the artists has what they need to succeed, and then we have our more professional setting of performances with more established artists  who know what they’re doing and see the platform and showcase it. 

CW: There's been a small wave of attention to detail, quality control, creative direction going around, even with witnessing it tonight with the attention to the lighting, the way that the lights were set to a specific artist, sound direction, the way the audience is positioned- why do you think that is? Why is that energy present in the Milwaukee art scene at this moment? We're leveling up alot. 

WF: So I'm a little bit crazy, Imma say that as a disclaimer but I think that for the most part, the beauty is in the details. It's in those extra things. I wanna make sure that the artist can come and have everything that they need to make their artwork shine to its fullest potential and so in any of the work that I do I think that it's really about making sure that the platform is perfect and all it needs is the artist to play with it, right? And I think that's more so we're realizing even as a people, that quality matters like, it's very important to make the statement and say the thing that we want it to say. When it comes from a place of quality, it has so much more impact. And so how do we create those platforms? How do we provide those spaces, how do we push the artist to make sure every piece that they do has the impact that they intended to have? [By] making sure that we are providing the space that allows them to perform naturally. 

CW: I agree with that 100%. You really care and it shows. Thank You.

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

The Great Journey - A.C. The Ruler, Nimbus Cool Collab + MUSIC VIDEO

Back in September of this year, a silver platter of music was served directly to the hip hop heads; from to the monotone, run-on, smooth delivery of bars on bars from A.C. The Ruler and Nimbus Cool , to the nastiness of the beat production and selection by A.C.’s producer- Since ‘93, “The Great Journey” is gold. The intro song “Catacombs” properly sets the tone for the entire EP and although that name may seem like morbid humor, the music video provides a simple yet figuratively relative perspective. On the surface this appears to be just another studio session between the two MC’s and their producer but the lyrics in relation to this visual describe a sense of generational responsibility, the lovely burden of becoming a beacon of light for the people; With a grey filter cleverly covering the entire visual, seemingly showing us their proclamation of this being history in the making, A.C. and Nimbus show to be comfortable and content despite the molding of this legacy having taken place in a small room, much like many of the greats of the past (hence the title of this track). “...The Legacy’s ensured even when enduring the pressure- No sweat, wipe the drip, work smarter and harder, excuse the leg room, I need it, they've been begging for bones, I'll break a leg before I lose my heart or let down my home….” Nimbus Cool spits just before a voice clip of 2021 NBA Champ Giannis Antetokounmpo closes out the song, briefly speaking on his mission to provide hope to the people. “Handheld,” although undeniably consistent of super star bars, is a salute to the producer [immediate stank face]; “...I be in the cut every day like my skin broke, the outside be okay but I like gettin it in mo’ they hatin’ in my face but it never leave my chin broke...” Another bar from Nimbus but WAIT!...A.C. the Ruler also dominates in his verse with lines like “...cant see me like Harry’s cloak, wrapped with a midwest tone, niggas is hella shady like Norton Oaks…..slippin’ we hittin’ slopes, hittin’ corners on hunnid spokes…” Your replay button will feel attacked...mine was. We get some melodic vocals in the chorus of the track “P.O.V.”, a mellow song about the necessary optimism and trust in the process that is needed to push forward as an individual. This song reassures their audience that all of the tools needed are already present within. Perseverance is a responsibility. Tell me how YOU feel about “ The Great Journey” Milwaukee.

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

Rent /CW HQ!

https://copywritemag.com/rentals

Nic Stokes Presents: “NOBody Knows”- A WorldLife Camp event [POST EVENT WRITE UP]

However, the host of the night won it all! He gave us his portrayal of Chicago's ‘Lil’ Durk’ to a T’, gold locs and all. Everyone else who wasn't with the theatrics decided to simply dress to impress, like 2021 Milwaukee Film Festival winner, independent filmmaker Marquise Mays who gave a smooth Nupe shimmy on the dance floor, or Milwaukee fashion model JuJu Kujjo who dressed up as herself- but ‘made it fashion!’ There wasn't a corner in the room that wasn’t filled with people and the vibes kept going all night; A great mixture of early 2000’s favorites and current summer hits kept us all jammin.’ After having indulged in the vibes of the night long enough, I finally pulled Nic Stokes to the side, into the semi-quietness of the stairwell for a brief interview

CW: …[Lexi] was telling me, “WordLife Camp was a part of our come up...CopyWrite would be nothing without [our] collaborations with [WorldLife Camp]...” Would you tell me what your background with CopyWrite is; what your background is, period- how you got started?

N: Yea, so back in the day, my big brothers from WorldLife Camp built a relationship with CopyWrite. CopyWrite threw a lot of events. I remember one specifically at 88.9 radio, I believe, there was a concert series and they did an event there…

 (“So icy” by Gucci Mane started playing in the background during this interview. . .  Ha, how player is that?)

N: ...I've always been supportive of CopyWrite; it's Black and woman owned, and I'm all about diversity so that was really it for me. I definitely wanted to have them as a part of this event. For my background, I've been doing parties since I was 9 years old. I've been on the radio- my dad is Earl Stokes from 98.3- people may know me as ‘Jammin Nic’, some people just know me as ‘Nic Stokes’, so that's kinda just my background. I went to Atlanta for school, Morehouse, so I got the chance to get a different perspective on partying, curating events and the possibilities that can happen. I tried to bring that back to Milwaukee. 

CW: Is partying something that you simply feel good doing or do you feel that there is a greater purpose for you in bringing people together? What is it about the lane of partying for you that means a lot?

N: Well, I think that the underlying thing about partying is the music. Music brings people together, it takes you back to different times and points in your life where you might have struggled, when you might  have had success, when you were just having a good time... I think it's just a good thing that you can do to bring people together….just partying with your friends and family, you might get a chance to network and meet somebody that may be in your same field or endeavor of work; you might get the chance to cross paths with someone that you might not have before. So that's what I try to do. I try to bring diverse crowds- and not necessarily race but it could be different lanes, it could be somebody that's an artist, somebody that's a journalist, somebody that's a construction worker, somebody that does real estate- so that's why it's important to me to create spaces in Milwaukee where people can do that. 

CW: What I've noticed about certain individuals, or even certain groups who resonate with one doing things their own way tend to be the “black sheep” of their families or of where they come from...do you feel that you are the black sheep of where you come from- socially, creatively, in your background….?

N: I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm the black sheep, I would just say that I just took my own lane, and I see other people doing that same thing… I don't wanna be self-serving and say ‘oh I'm the only person doing this and the only person doing that’, you know what I mean? 

CW: I feel that. As far as the end goal for your impact, is it being a party host, is it doing something more? What is the end goal for your influence of bringing people together and doing things that come naturally to you? Where do you see yourself? 

N: That's something that I would wanna do full time because I enjoy it. That's my passion. I wanna make sure that people are good, people are having a good time, making sure that people have a space where they can be themselves and have a great time, so whether that be parties, concerts or networking at social events, things like that are kinda my lane...not kinda, that is my lane.  

CW: I see that you have newer faces like DJ Gemini Gilly here-

N: She's awesome. 

CW: Yeah, she's great. Do you feel that you have a responsibility to the newer [faces] of creatives in Milwaukee because there are a lot of people who are a part of the older scene of Milwaukee- the influencers, the people who were the go-getters, the initiators, the parties, the bashes, the concerts, the shows. . . Do you feel that you have a responsibility to the up-and-coming [creatives], the youth? 

N: I think that you definitely- 

(Speaking of Big Gilly, “Ski” by Gunna and Young Thug cuts on and Stokes can't help but to feel it)

N: ... Awww this is my song, I'm sorry…. 

(He puts on his MC voice and speaks into the mic, still by the stairwell, unseen but still heard)

N: ... Yeah, yeah, yeah! I need yall to hit that dance! Yeah! Yeah! . . . My bad.

CW: It's all good. That was awesome!

N: I've known DJ Gemini Gilly for a long time. We went to ‘King together and when she first got on her D.J. journey I was like ‘yo, I gotta support you. You're Black. You're a woman. You’re independent. You're strong. You're trying to get out here. I have to support you because you have a passion.’ I think that anybody that has a passion for something, anybody that's really honest and really wanting to express themselves and reach their goals and go after their passions, I think the whole city- I think that everybody should support them. It was only right that I had her come here to D.J. tonight.

CW: I appreciate that..the way you just say that, Black man supporting Black woman, Black woman supporting Black men and Black people just supporting each other, genuinely.

N: As a Black man, you gotta support the queens. . . Got to. I just feel like I have that responsibility because I have a Black mom, I have Black sisters, I have a Black niece, you know what I mean? It's only right.

CW: We appreciate that, so thank you. . . It's poppin tonight. It's lit!

You should have been there, but we are sure there will be more. 

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

Nails | CW Fashion Feature

"I don't see how she can get her nails so long! How can she do anything with those?! Nails with anything more than color and way too long are so unprofessional! Red nails are for Jezebels!"

Did you know both Queen Nefertiti and Cleopatra both wore red nails? The practice of nail expression goes way back to ancient times. Even these historical icons partook in the  ornamentation that is scratched deep into the culture and positive self expression of Black women.

Though nails have evolved overtime, they're still a part of who we are. I fell in love with nail Culture at a very young age. I still remember the very first pair of press-ons my mom had bought me when I was younger. They were from the value beauty down the street from my house and I had begged her each time we went in for this Winnie the Pooh set. The first few times she said no; but I was persistent. I just HAD to have this set. One day, she surprised my sister and I with our own. 

That moment meant the absolute world to me and became the catalyst for my love of the nail culture. 

The act of getting nail enhancements is much more than just sitting in someone's chair and paying them for whatever they give, no. It's a form of self-care; it's that moment a mother finally gets away from the kids, that, I haven't done anything for myself in so long, that, this is a gift to myself; a pure form of self empowerment. 

If you've ever seen a Black woman before and after getting her nails done, you'll see what I mean. The hand gets to going, the keyboard gets to clacking, and she just refuses to do certain things because she just got her nails done. It's nail culture code. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. 

Nails bring women together and is a very therapeutic experience for most. Every time I service someone, by the time we're down, they feel different, relieved, and enlightened. 

My prayer is that the culture truly stands the test of time, as it's always been more than JUST nails.

/Jeronica Brister | @jbtravelingnailtech

Creatively Directed by Vato Vergara

Styled by Vato Vergara and Kyndal J

Nail Art by Jeronica Brister 

Models Sydney Beason and Emerald Monet

Shot by Chris Spencer

Shawn Millz - Greedy

Some of my favorite rap songs are the ones that incorporate other genres in their music, so when I hear unique songs like that it catches my ear. That’s what this song did for me. Greedy is a certified street banger made by artist Shawn Millz of Milwaukee. It’s a rap song with gritty lyrics and a grudge influenced tone. Nirvana, while wasn’t the first, made that grunge type of rock go so hard; so when you mix it into rap, it just creates this multi genre type of sound which is becoming very popular these days. 

There’s aggression in this song, cockniess, and determination. This song will grab everyone’s ears, not just the men, because we are all about that hustle (or we should be). Besides the dope lyrics, the beat on this joint is sick. This beat gives me street, Gotham City and classic Jeezy Can’t Ban the Snowman vibes. Lyrics set the tone for a song, but ultimately the beat is what grabs our attention. I don’t know who made this beat, but my car speaker’s thank you. You can listen to more of Shawn Millz’ music here on Apple Music. 

Adrienne/ For CW

2Hi - White Lighter Bad Luck [ALBUM]

After a few years of loosies and EP’s, the dropping of his first full length project “2 Birds” last year, and being left with the bread crumb that was “Round and Round” back in August just for this moment here, local artist 2Hi continues the narrative of his rockstar lifestyle with the drop of his second Album, “White Lighter Bad Luck.”  Lyrically accompanied by the acclaimed NilexNile, otherwise known as Nile, Lake, and executive productions by No B, this melodic psychedelia is the melancholic voice of all who have found contentment with numbness, however, having subconscious undertones of self awareness and emotional longing; this all blends in to one truth while under great influence.. The intro track “Ghost” leads us straight to 2Hi’s inner conflict; there is an assertiveness here that may pass for aggression, or vice versa, in lyrics like “..And I'm in the back of the room high off the shrooms sitting, just think to myself, I am an artist who starvin’, no I can't bargain, I gotta double my wealth..lil bitch im cool, I don't need help, all of this work under my belt- I gotta do it all myself, I gotta do it all myself..” and the words “I gotta work on myself, I gotta work on myself..'' are heard faintly a lines afterwards, signaling the slip into 2Hi’s subconscious, his real thoughts, “..I'm an animal, I can't live with myself, only hurts if you take it out and you put my heart on the shelf, I just need your help…”

WLBL led with this tone for another 5 tracks and then about halfway into the album, we are temporarily given an energetic boost with “Switch Lanes”- how very telling of the motivation that many try to find after crash landing back on Earth into their own reality. This is made for the ‘fast and the furious’ (don't do it, drive safely), when you feel like a flexer, bump this!!….Annnnnd right back into the feels. Old habits die hard and some norms can't seem to be shaken in “Tattoos.” 2Hi comes a bit cleaner about his vices, even more so about the norms of his life experiences that trigger those vices; “ I got tattoos on my soul, I woke up lost on the road, I know that I'm on my own, mountains to me look like stones- I take these drugs to fly home...I seen it all just unfold, I seen this shit happen before…” Very easily, the methods taken on for masking continuous pain are cause for being misunderstood by those on the outside looking in because of one’s own miseducation on how to cope properly, leaving room to be branded (“tattooed”) as everything that we do not intend to really be. Tell me how YOU feel about “ White Lighter Bad Luck,” Milwaukee.

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

Miss Mocha Presents: “Buttah & Brown”- Emmit James & Claudio Parrone Jr. [Write Up]

Two words….SAAANG BOY!! Appropriately, the “Buttah and Brown” tour was brought to Milwaukee first to welcome our own Emmit James home and he brought with him some fellas with vocals on top of vocals, the crowd was very much in tune [Miss Mocha DID that]. DJ FreakishNerd shows out on the 1’s and 2’s with a great mix as the crowd forms and continues to grow up until show time; the floor tables, the booths, and the bar were all full and the stage was lit up with green, blue, red lights one after the other, giving the atmosphere an intimate yet active lounge feel. Emmit James, one half of the Headliners for the show, introduces Leroy Booker to the stage and right off the bat he hits us with a good ol’ nostalgic ‘YEEEEAAAaaaauuuuuUUUHHH!!’ and runs for his life into his introduction song, accompanied by, to quote Emmit, “the illustrious Curtis Crump Jr.” on the keys. He gave us a few love jams before the other half of Buttah & Brown was introduced, Claudio Parrone Jr. A.K.A. C.J. He slowed us down even more with a smooth rendition of “Until the End of Time” by Justin Timberlake, and of course the crowd showed their love for it as they participated in a ‘call and response’ moment with C.J.; “This ones for the lovers!”...Speaking of Lovers, they sure were in attendance on this night. C.J. stepped to the side for the last moment of his set and let the band play for the crowd. Without hesitation, multiple couples, young and old, got up and started slow dancing. It was a sight!

Klassik took the stage next and dominated, vocally and lyrically. His production was a one man show, with a stage presence that could fill a room, the crowd was nothing short of engaged. Finally, feeding off of the momentum of the night, Emmit James and Claudio Jr. took the stage as Buttah & Brown and with the inclusion of an insane drum solo and even a praise break, they gave their audience what they wanted, a high energy cap to the night.

 /Naomi-Re’a for CW

HymnWho -Retroactive Phenomenon [ALBUM]

HymnWho “Retroactive Phenomenon” ALBUM  

Like the beautiful dynamic of the iconic blend of Hip-Hop and R&B on a track, the marriage of the poetic, conviction filled, or otherwise, nonchalant vocal tones of a rapper and the hard hitting orchestrated chaos of rock instrumentation is a delicacy. HymnWho has dropped a sonically pleasing gem with the presentation of “Retroactive Phenomenon.” The allure of this album from songs like “Revival,” “Niggas and Nikolai,” and “Saviour,” was in the production; very 80’s with the slowness and off-kilter pounding of the beat, having a faster paced rhythym happen in some moments, still with a high capacity of instrumentation, HymnWho’s vocals were hauntingly gliding over the music with a melodic, Darkwave tone and the modern, melancholic  lyrical content that is found in today’s rap. In “Shoebox,” he gave us more of a trap flow but the production was still very consistent with the Darkwave sound. However, we do get some rap nostalgia as well. “Wishes” not only gives us more room to focus on the bars and their transparency, but the boom-bap is more so evident in this production. Tell me how YOU feel about “Retroactive Phenomenon,” Milwaukee.

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

NOBody Knows [ a WordLife Camp event and /CW is trying to get you on the list]