Topic: Is Milwaukee Afraid of Hip Hop?
- Jan 28, 2010 11:35pm by NRG - livin the art that is life !
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http://blog.radiomilwaukee.org/2010/01/28/is-milwaukee-afraid-of-hip-hop/
Posted January 28, 2010 by Tarik (aka the Architect) to Soundboard of 88.9 radio milwaukee
A very interesting question.
Yes I know that there is an amazing local hip hop scene here, and people do go out to shows, but let’s look at the bigger picture. Last night on air, I talked about the Mos Def and MF Doom show in Chicago, and how I was upset that it seems Milwaukee rarely brings any national hip hop artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli (which seems only to come to Summerfest), Zion I, Wale, etc. Don’t get me wrong Kid Cudi was here. It is rare. Even artists such as Erykah Badu will probably never grace a stage here (I hope I’m wrong). If Mos Def played at the Riverside, not only it will sell out, you get people travelling to Milwaukee from all over Wisconsin instead of Milwaukeeans travelling to Chicago.
Maybe I’m spoiled. I have lived in over 10 cities including Minneapolis, which is now a major player in producing Hip Hop and bringing in amazing shows. These shows are mostly all packed. Some people in Milwaukee tell me that booking hip hop will bring in a ‘certain’ element and they don’t want that image. Which I say to that, untrue (I wanted to write something else). Hip Hop sales and shows are usually dominate by the suburbs, middle class, and college students, and that is a fact across the country. Take a look at Minneapolis, which the minority population is smaller than Milwaukee and has embraced Hip Hop. You can see Hip Hop at almost every venue in Minneapolis including First Avenue. Even Madison brings some great shows. Again I hear the excuse that Madison is a college town. Again, a lame excuse. I lived in Atlanta, and about the same distance away as Madison is Athens, a major college town. Last time I checked Atlanta get a substantial more hip hop shows than Athens. Plus what are Marquette, UWM, Alverno, MOSE, MIAD, MATC? Chop liver. Does these students at these schools have different tastes than other colleges in the country? I doubt it.
As I mentioned before Milwaukee has a very talented Hip Hop scene, but it seems segregated to me. Which I think that plays a role in this problem. The local seen not only needs to be supportive of each other (you don’t have to like the music), but work together by doing shows together, and collaborating on music. There are some artists that are doing it, but there needs to be more.
So what is it about Hip Hop in Milwaukee? Is it fear? Milwaukee just doesn’t like hip hop? Is it a race thing? I want to start a discussion and hopefully start to change this, so maybe we can bring artists like Mos Def to Milwaukee. I believe once Hip Hop is a major part of the Milwaukee arts scene other music will follow such as Electronica, Dancehall, etc. and the city will just be a better place for it.
The following are emails from listeners on their perspective on this issue:
Hey Tarik, I overheard the tail end of your comment about Mos Def playing in Chicago and not Milwaukee. Of course I would love to see him here in my hometown, but I understand why it’s not happening. At first glance, some might see him as a sell-out with the acting gig and the clothing line, but Dante is a vital force in the socially conscious hip hop arena (and a true artist expressing creativity in dynamic ways). He’s not set out to play ever major U.S. city. People who like his music will buy it (or get it by donating to Radio MKE like I did! and true fans will travel the 90 miles south to Chi-town to see him concert. I’m grateful that he’s playing this close to home.
I was saddened when I played the Ecstatic CD in the car for my 12 year old little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters and after a few songs she requested that we turn the radio on instead. Mos Def is mos definitely not mainstream among our urban youth, but I have faith they will catch on. I’ve used a track off the Black on Both Sides album to present a visual art project while in college. I’ve used KRS-One songs in my 5th grade classrooms to spark discussion about social injustices and to motivate students.
I’ll make the 90 mile trek to Chicago and I won’t view it as an inconvenience; it will only make the show more special.
-Ash
Believe it or not, it has a lot to do with the crowds that come out. Sure, I would like to believe that Mos Def would have a sold out show at the Riverside or the Pabst. However, given the state of Milwaukee’s Hip-hop scene & how it’s becoming increasingly “staleâ€, the Milwaukee Hip-hop Heads aren’t backing the good shows when they do come.
Elzhi performed at Stonefly for ONLY 25 PEOPLE almost a year ago…only in Milwaukee, my dude. I will also point the finger at the CLEARly garbage CHANNELs that do nothing but blast the constant absurd, bass-heavy, one hit wonder (why) but wouldn’t play a Mos Def (much less, DOOM) cut unless the 12-19 age range flood their phones with the request.
All in all, I’m more than happy to pack up the car with “true heads†& make a road trip to see MOSDOOM. (So long as their manager gets the dates correct…*chuckle*)
-Nigel
nrg note: So I ask you "Is Kansas City Metro Afraid of Hip Hop?
Are there things that seem almost the same city to city?
tell us your thoughts.
- Jan 29, 2010 04:37am by phism
lawrence has all the venues.
that's our problem.
we've been shutting down entertainment spots since boss tom was taken out.
