Meraki has a beautiful debut EP here with Baeraki. The Milwaukee raised artist is much more than music, though. She’s a woman among boys. You’ll hear it in the music and hear it from her mouth. She preaches a lot of outspoken truth on this thing we call the Internet, in contrast to many of her peers who tend to get caught up in social traps.
Meraki is brilliant in da stu. She definitely has her own thing going, but also mixes some of that Soulection sound with some of the trap sounds of The Mil. This Baeraki joint is butter. Keep a close eye on this artist. She’s one that we should all be listening to.
Pizzle has unleashed the heavily anticipated Grand De$ign album, according to plan (April 11, 2016). At first listen, this is his best work to date. Presented by Cultured Sect Music.
The Madison-raised artist does this one for the ladies (March 26, 2016). Trapo tells stories of his women, alcohol and trap ways on the 9-track EP.
Derrick Thomas handles production. Smooth vibes and organic drums. Like his debut, Trapo keeps it tight on features. The soulful young man recruits Meraki,theMind and Max Wonders for the project.
Trapo blends his rapping and singing tastefully throughout the expertly-arranged project. He did it on “Never Run”, “She Moved On” and “Prototype.” Never too much of either style, and always matching the mood of the music.
After “Act II,” the project takes a turn to a few different sounds. “Cruise Control” record is Interstate music, “Chicago” is for the club. Want sumn jiggy, try “Special Therapy”. My favorite record on here is “Marry”. Straight butter.
1. Never Run
2. She Moved On 2
3. Prototype ft. Max Wonders
4. Act II
5. Cruise Control
6. Special Therapy ft. theMIND
7. Marry ft. Meraki
8. The Function
9. Chicago
Von Alexander dropped V O N today (November 19), and it’s every bit as grimy as we wanted. Von used to go by Vonny Del Fresco but this artist has always had a way of bringing the sun down into the basement. Coming from the North Side of Milwaukee, life has been a real struggle for this young black male. This brilliant lyricist is finally getting some shine for his well polished records, though.
An emcee, a writer, a voice and a leader, Von wants people to look past physical appearances to see the more authentic parts of people. The artist has a bigger idea in mind than just rap. He lives in madness but knows that there is a better way.
The Cream City rapper is influenced by A Tribe Called Quest, N.E.R.D, Nas, Future, Toro y Moi and Bon Iver. Don’t expect the average, expect Von Alexander. He knows his sound too. “Dylan Graham was someone that hit me up. And I hit up DMND on my own,” he says. For “the most unplanned project [he’s] ever done,” this sounds pretty damn good. Especially since he just dropped another massive “Memoirs” album just a few months back.
Here’s a visual from last year:
His and my favorite record on V O N is “N O R T H”:
“I can’t even wear Jordans, these shoes are the reason that niggas are killing It’s fucked up when your hero ain’t really your hero, you look at him different Cause niggas die just wear your name, niggas die just to play your game Niggas die just to get that fame, jumpman, jumpman, jumpman My whole life, I’ve been on to something My whole life, man they made assumptions”
