Elliott- “Abundance of the Heart” EP

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How many people do you know can speak from the heart through one of the World’s most transparent art forms ever, without cussin’??? 414 artist Elliott can AND DID in his latest EP “Abundance of the Heart.” This 3 piece gives reverence to the Luke 6:45 Biblical scripture that aids the people of the world to be aware of what the heart carries. For Elliott, his self awareness is his freedom. He begins with some emotional honesty in “Who We Kidding?” He comes to terms with the reality of the relationship that he has with his lover and while coming to terms with what it actually is, out of his mouth he recognizes the maturity that a good relationship requires. ”The Lightning” sheds a bit more light (heehee) on Elliott’s Spiritual revelation and his battle with seemingly being chosen and kept for a bigger purpose. After having experienced many dangerous close calls brought on by poor social choices and even health scares, the young lyricist expresses his initial confusion about his life and gradually turns to accept the value of it with a sample of Nina Simone’s cover of “Strange Fruit” playing throughout the track. ”To and Through” perfectly wraps up this short winded glimpse into Elliot’s journey to maturity by plainly describing how mental strength can fuel the will for change in one’s life. Friends, habits, and lifestyle are bound to drastically change after discovering how the emotions, the spirit, and the mind are all a reflection of the contents of a person’s heart. Tell me how YOU feel about “ Abundance of the Heart ” Milwaukee.

Pride Month feature w/ Milwaukee Film | Moonlight

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We had the chance to catch ‘Milwaukee Film’s Pride Month’ featured showing of “Moonlight” this weekend. While it’s hard for any corner of the world to be unfamiliar with the Academy Award winning film, Moonlight is the coming of age story of a young boy who struggles with balancing masculinity and sexuality. While juggling many different obstacles along the way, including being brutally bullied, raising himself and witnessing his mom abuse drugs, he eventually set his footing in the only thing he was familiar with–the streets. 

I feel like this is a universal story–even if [you] don’t think so. As a woman, I can’t speak to that experience of growing up as a male and balancing masculinity along with curiosity but these children and situations do exist. Their experience deserves validation whether it’s talked about or not. It happens every single day. 

These kinds of films are extremely important for society because it is something that is deemed taboo by the majority. People tend to think that sexuality is only expressed through personality and performance. If you were to watch this film in particular, you’d see it through the lens of what it is—normality. While it may not be your ‘normal’, you’re not the only person who exists. I think it’s also worthy to note that we don’t see a flamboyant character in this film at any point. That’s a heavy point in itself. Prejudice can’t protect you from the truth—sexuality is a fluid spectrum. Who are you to deem it any different?

While CopyWrite is a proud community partner of Milwaukee Film, what makes our job even easier is digesting top tier content. We hope to see you next year as it is not something you’d ever want to miss. 

/Imani for CW

A Milwaukee for All | Decolonizing Wealth with Edgar Villanueva

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*Info provided by INPOWER MEDIA

On June 24, Greater Milwaukee Foundation President and CEO Ellen Gilligan will have a

conversation with activist and author Edgar Villanueva about racism, colonization, and

ways individuals and institutions can do more to heal and to help our community.

Villanueva will share examples and tangible steps on how we can reshape our approach to

philanthropy – what it means, who it includes, and how it works. This conversation is

designed to help individuals and institutions shift mindsets from conventional thinking to a

new understanding of what is possible in philanthropy through our use of time, talent,

treasure, and ties.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Is philanthropy only about money or love of people?

○ How have you or your organization practiced philanthropy beyond monetary ways?

2. Find ways to connect, relate and belong.

○ What practices can you adapt in your life or workplace to help heal yourself and your community from colonization?

3. Actionable steps vary in size.

○ What are some steps big or small that you and your organization can take? How do your personal steps vary from that of your organization?

Following the conversation, a number of local leaders will participate in a roundtable

discussion about the steps they are taking in their own lives and in their own organizations

to do philanthropy differently.

Join for part 1 of the series on Friday, June 24, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

It is a free virtual Zoom event and you can register here.

We all play a part in making a difference.

Cardiac Da Pulse ft Classik Material “Caught Up” SONG

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Despite the social and emotional climate that our city has been experiencing as well as the World as a whole, we can always count on some feel-good music to remind us of how we should be feeling about the lives that we have and the people that we experience it with. That being said, it is June, it's starting to get hot out, and the Summer time bops are in! Now, although we may not always have ‘Drop-top’ weather here in the MidWest, the zone that Cardiac Da Pulse and Classik Material are trying to put us in with “Caught Up” is giving just that. Cut straight from the cloth of one of the more popular eras of a rapper / singer collab in music, we are met with a grown and sexy bravado and a suave serenade for the chorus while the telling of a fling gone right is told to us by two casanova’s over a light and easy going beat that just provokes a two-step up outta you. You can’t escape it… I tried it! This 3 minutes and 16 secs. of Cardiac spittin’ shameless game provides the perfect energy to lead us into the mid-year mark. Tell me how YOU feel about “ Caught Up ” Milwaukee. /Naomi-Re’a for CW

ONLYDEV “GMN”//NEW SINGLE

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I recently stumbled upon ONLYDEV and this new single “GMN” is a great introduction song to get a feel for the type of artist that he is. He’s got a frictionless style that grabs your attention and interest visually, coupled with a divergent sound that entraps you sonically, so I wasn’t surprised when I pressed play and enjoyed the entire song. This is the perfect song to start your day off to. If you're the type of person who sets alarms to sleep, I BET you will get up if this is your alarm sound. I love that his energy is transparent throughout the whole song. His laughs made me laugh, his hype moments made me hype, almost as if it was contagious. But basically, the song is about getting up and getting out of bed, being productive, and making the most of your 24 hours. “Last night was a blast but its gone be yo last if you don’t get out the bed,” lines like this and “....let’s do it lil n-a, wake up smoke some, let’s get this bread. Let’s do it lil n-a!” make me feel like this wasn’t something that was written and rehearsed, I feel like he just went in the studio and went crazy just purely off of adrenaline and passion. Not only is it catchy, but it’s enjoyable and it’s fun. It’s one of those songs that people will engage with no matter what’s going on. Even if you’re in a setting where you probably shouldn’t be singing, there’ll still be a slightly noticeable head bob with a quiet, “good morning n-aaaaa”. If black boy joy was a song, this would be it. I love it! Let me know what y’all think. 

Happy Pride Month! | Celebrate with us by enjoying a few of these community partner film screenings at Milwaukee Film

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Take PRIDE in who YOU are!

/CW is celebrating Pride Month as a community partner for Milwaukee Film’s Pride Month programming. Check out these films that are sure to inspire!

Also be on the lookout for our instagram raffle where we will be giving away 2 tickets to each screening!

@copywritemag

Moonlight

Sat, Jun 18 2022 7:00pm

But I’m A Cheerleader

Sun, Jun 05 2022 7:00pm

CopyWrite Presents: SS22 - A Streetwear Showcase | PROMO VIDEO + TICKETS

/ Jugo Fabrika Studios/

SS22

CopyWrite Magazine present:

Street Smartz: A Streetwear Showcase

On May 22nd from 6pm-9pm, The Vatofied Experience will be collaborating with the Designers of Brick Layers Club and Planet Marcellus to offer a dynamic show that presents Black Men in fashion, a more than trendy display on Urban wear, and the ever morphing nuances of modern fashion culture.

Check out this promo video to get a glimpse of how we will be rocking SS22.

Get your tickets here:

General Admission

VIP Experience

Cam Will “Not Playing Fair” 2 PACK PROJECT

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“Not Playing Fair”  was a great and well-fitting title for this two-pack project because Cam Will is really not playing fair. His two newest singles featured in the pack are “Oh Well” and “Iykyk'' and both of these tracks are great. Starting off with “Oh Well”, I really feel like this is one of those songs that you listen to when you’re tryna get in the zone. The vibe gave me “BUCKS IN 6” on the day of game 6 vibes, like we didn’t come to just play, we came to win. 

The chorus is the part that encourages that energy, “Looking for me, I’m like oh well. Need me, I’m like oh well”. To me, I felt like he’s alluding to having tunnel vision, focusing on yourself and not being worried about catering to anybody else’s needs, especially the ones who’re not reciprocating. “Nobody rooting fa’ us except fa’ us. Nobody living fa’ us except fa’ us,” that’s one of my favorite lines simply because it’s just the truth. I think the beat is amazing, I love how he does something different with each song but they are all consistent in having versatility, it’s not something you can only listen to in one setting. You can go to the gym to it, you can just ride to it, you can party to it, all that. 

Ending with “Iykyk”, Cam gets a little personal. The beat comes in real eerie, it creeps up and at the perfect moment, drops with the beat and Cam kills the verse. When he says lines like “...they take my confidence as arrogance but sh-t I might too. Ain’t nobody ever took not one step in my shoes, so what I look like living off of what they think I should do,” and inserts of the audio of the church sermon, I can tell he really got into his bag with this one. Addressing other people’s opinions of him, reciprocating energy and protecting yourself from fake friends, and losing touch with God, he really took his time with this and I don’t know if it was intentional or not but he mad something truly relatable and authentic. 

His last verse on this song could be noted as one of my favorites too. “I think the man upstairs is picking favorites down here. So I won’t sit around just hoping that the greatness appears. I feel I’m blessed and I can’t waste chances I won’t get back. So my fault but He requested I get back to that.” And that line is why I love that he titled this “Iykyk” because I don’t even want to explain what that line means because if you know, you know! His choice of delivery is always on point, as well as his beat selection. 

Pay attention, we’re watching Cam Will in real time as he begins to really take this art form to new heights, skyrocketing him and Milwaukee music at the same time. Top shelf music Cam! Let me know what y’all think!