Issue 11: For The Culture Issue by CopyWrite Magazine

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ISSUE ELEVEN

SPRING 2018 \\ NO. 11

INTERVIEWS W/ ± YESSICA JIMENEZ ± AYE CUE & CW’S SXSW PERSPECTIVE W/ SOME GAME FROM KP THE GREAT & DAVID BANNER

CONTENTS

answers from our editor

issue 11: for the culture

atx connect: meet aye cue

xe r i o n e c u l t u r e w / y e s s i c a j i m e n e z

w h o l e t u s b a c k i n? : a c w p e r s p e c t i v e

the breakdown: fashion lookbook for spr ‘18

if only the artists knew w/ kp the great and david banner

SPRING 2018 \\ NO. 11

INTERVIEWS W/ ± YESSICA JIMENEZ ± AYE CUE & CW’S SXSW PERSPECTIVE W/ SOME GAME FROM KP THE GREAT & DAVID BANNER

A B O U T O U R F E AT U R E D C O V E R A R T I S T ––

YESSICA JIMENEZ M I LWAU K E E N AT I V E I L LU S T R ATO R & C R E AT I V E LOV E R O F N AT U R E F O L LOW @ X E R O I N E _ I L LU S T R AT I O N S R E A D M O R E A B O U T H E R O N PAG E 1 3

CONTRIBUTORS

E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F / L E X I S . B R U N S O N C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R / C A R S Y N TAY LO R S H O OT E R / M A H D I G R A N S B E R R Y FA S H I O N E D I TO R / VATO V E R G A R A

S P E C I A L T H A N K S TO / K E LV I N “ DAY N AG E ” C R O S S

M A M I S AT X

L AU R E N “ H O N E Y ” G R A N I E L A

DON ETHER

J OJ I I N A N E T T E

AU T I M A R I E

AY E C U E & T H E AY E T E A M

PA P E R S TAC K S

YESSICA JIMENEZ

SHUN MILLION$

M I K E Y C . A P O L LO

ELSZ

N E PA N T L A U S A

SXSW

MOSAICO X

T H E C I T Y O F AU S T I N

GREY GENIUS

F E AT U R E D O N T H E S T R E E T M O D E L S

CopyWrite Magazine Media & Design, LLC currently runs as a Milwaukee-based organization. All images are not licensed or owned by CopyWrite. For any questions regarding photos, future advertisements, future employment or any information about any featured artists, producers or creators, please contact us at copywrite.mke@gmail.com.

@thrudirtyeyes

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I S S U E

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ANSWERS FROM OUR EDITOR. Cul·ture (noun) the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. I have been putting #ForTheCulture on everything lately. Subconsciously, I hadn’t noticed that the trendy phrase was more than just a hashtag but a statement of collective mantra – an acknowledgment of progression and an assertion that this is what we should be doing “it” for. If every praise given out and its positive affirmation is in the name of the “culture,” then it is of great power and of much scrutiny what may be forming in this time of our existence. Now let me be clear, this “culture” I speak of is not all-inclusive, and in the same breath, it is not exclusive. It is a shared “manifestations of human intellectual achievement.” Let me say that again “HUMAN intellectual achievement.” It is for those who have contributed, disseminated, and are living for the collective elevation of “US.” It has ties and bonds that overlap age, gender, ethnicity and class. If you don’t feel connected, you have let yourself become separated. You have forgotten that the collaboration of many has brought us into the now. We exist only because it was written in blood, sweat, tears, fear, faith and fulfillment.

My support for the culture keeps me motivated, in my weakest times, because it reminds me that I am not alone. Ohhhhh and peep this, when I’m on edge, ready to jump froggy, I hesitate. . .Why? Because my actions reflect the culture too. (Yes, it has saved you from my wrath ... but don’t test me! lol) It’s our responsibility to tell our story, to form our truths and to hashtag, applaud, shimmy, dab, Wakanda Salute (Y’all had to know that was coming), shout and oddly enough, bow down when you see somebody doing their thang’ making not just their individual mark, but moves that will help light the torch for those who follow. So take this time to show pride in what we have become, make sure you invest in where we are going and wear that “achievement” with confidence like these box braids, I have been rocking on and off for the last five months LOL. It’s beyond me loves – this ART, these WORDS, this MAGAZINE... I do it #ForTheCulture. /Dirty

We are made of this. Every intricate particle of our existence formed at the hands of our history, of our genius, and of our current mystique is our Culture. We have come to bring power of socialization, using technology and ingenuity, that displays characteristics of our art, music, language, self-expression and most of all knowledge, that changes the tone of not only our aura but the environment in which we dwell. As we define our efforts for self, we carry the nuances and distinct traces of those who came before us. Those who will venture after us and those who walk beside us in this moment, in this now, in this space. With respect to this concept, Issue 11 shares the traces of culture, defined by creative force through multiple perspectives, with the hope of eliciting cross-pollination of MKE culture and the booming influence of SXSW on the creative fields we often discuss and disseminate. Together we encompass the burden and the blessing of this symbolism. This is for our people (ALL OF OUR PEOPLE). This is For The Culture. /CW

ATXCONNECT:

M E E T AYE C UE

AT X C O N N E C T: M E E T AY E C U E

Last year at SXSW, through the thick crowd of 6th street, our team spotted a fashionable character with a distinct appeal: a blue navy blazer with a flower in the lapel, a crisp fedora, white jeans, and a gold bottom grill. #Steez

Doing shows with big name artist like that you get to see behind the scenes of how events are put together. It’s way more than just going on stage [and] rapping in front of people.”

Of course we had to snag his photo for our fashion spread, but little did we know the same time next year, he would appear in CopyWrite for a different reason, and blessing our 2018 Backyard Set in Austin, TX with a bold energetic performance. We would like for you to meet Aye Cue.

His experience navigating the performing world has also given him plenty of time to develop his on-stage persona, creating a theatrical presence, engaging the audience, pulling you into his world.

The twenty-five-year-old Houston, TX native, has a strong following in the big state dominating the college music scene with his artsy visuals, his perpetuated lack of modesty, and his hip-hop style. The self-proclaimed “creative” reminds us of all the unapologetically dope characters that we have brought you from the 414, but with that ATX / HTX flavor. Peep this – He had already been doing music before starting college at Texas State University but with the new environment came new opportunities that Aye Cue would use to his advantage. Aye Cue: “I just kind of hit the ground running with it. Really nobody in San Marcos was rapping seriously like that or making music seriously like that at the time, so I just tried to get as many shows as I could. I started with local coffee shops and just worked my way up into the bigger venues.” Still young enough for his career to pop off something serious, he has already opened up for some of the industry’s dopest acts including Big K.R.I.T., DMX, Bun B, Ying Yang Twins, Curren$y, and more. Aye Cue: “Those experiences have taught me a lot about professionalism. There is a lot of behind the scenes work in the industry. Me being a college student when I first got really serious about my craft I had to learn the ropes . . . How to book shows, how to make things run smoothly.

A piece of his world is best described by his music video films, where Aye Cue’s elaborate concepts cultivate his music adding just another layer to his craft. CW: “We noticed you have these super artistic film like videos, how was that inspired? How did you start doing those?” Aye Cue: “I always had a passion for films. What actually started me making music was I needed something to build these films off of so I started making songs. So I made songs around the films and films around the songs. From there, it just became my [thing] . . . I also do a lot of creative directing for other artists as well.” To get the best idea of what Aye Cue has to offer, he advises you to check out Crash Course, which is the first musical film he directed, with an 808s & Heartbreak feel. His style is just as eye-catching as his music videos. So what’s behind the style? Aye Cue: “It started back in high school. A lot of people used to bully me. I used to wear the tall tee’s, long Dickies pants, you know the Texas style with the K-Swiss and ‘Forces. People used to just say how super skinny I was and that all my clothes were hanging off me. Back then, I didn’t have money like that, so I had to figure out how to get more bang for my buck. So I started going to the thrift shops putting different outfits together. I started buying different furs and blazers. (#FURGANG) I just started buying stuff that accommodated my body style and just kind of used my creativity to put the layers together.”

AT X C O N N E C T: M E E T AY E C U E

With Aye Cue’s confidence boosted, getting dressed is easy. He claims to be able to put outfits together in five minutes without thought. Aye Cue: “I don’t really dress to impress anybody or anything like that. I just dress to express.” QUOTED! Aye Cue has even used his college resources to “express” the same type of confidence in the youth as the President of Hip-Hop Congress, an organization that goes to elementary, middle, and high schools to teach kids about character development and self-empowerment through rap. (Building his fan base and contributing to the community.) As a creative helping cultivate a local scene, Aye Cue believes that’s the best advice he can give his peers is to never limit yourself, which is something he knows well. Aye Cue: “The sky’s the limit. I noticed that a lot of people these days think they’re either too young or too old to do [something]. That’s limiting yourself. We are taught that by society, that by a certain age we are supposed to get married, we are supposed to have kids, [and] we are supposed to work this type of job. But what society is telling you about that is completely false. No matter how old you are or what people may think they should be. Do whatever the f**k you want to do.” If it weren’t for SXSW and Aye Cue doing exactly what he wants to do with his life, we would have never crossed paths and had the opportunity to have this talk.

CW: “So why do you come to SXSW? What’s your favorite part?” Aye Cue: “I actually prefer going out to SX during the day because that’s when most of the bloggers and magazine companies are out.” (He is right, daylife at SXSW is where CopyWrite does all our best “scooping.”) “...That’s a lot of networking opportunities for me. The nightlife is fun too but the bread and butter are meeting people and expanding your brand.” Applying his degree in Mass Communication, Aye Cue is taking his personality, technical skill set, and creativity to create works that market himself in ways that will put him in front of the right people at just the right time, using confidence as the balance to its risk factor. Aye Cue: “Always stick to your gut and stick to yourself. I feel like that’s the best way you can make an impact on the world. That’s the best way to make your dreams come true... feel what you do is right and always have faith in God. And shout-out to my parents!” (Hey yall, Hey!) Keep on the lookout for Aye Cue from our ATX locals. You know what they say, you never know who you might meet at SXSW. /CW

SPONSORED AD

“ What It’s Like to Be a Black Girl (For Those of You Who Aren’t One)” After Patricia Smith

First of all, it is waking up early one morning, aged almost eleven, to realize a red sun has set between your legs. The realization your body does not belong to you, but to something greater, something larger than your little, Black self. It is abstaining from curiosity about the bleeding rose, the thorns as powerful and painful as the ones they placed upon your Savior’s head. It is sacrifice; you wear it the way your mother does, the way your father’s mother did, and so on. It is completion, a full moon cycle; you wear the universe like a tight dress. You are exposed, all of you, curvy and dipped in caramel and sea salt. Our being is bleach and blonde. It is scrubbing your tongue raw and pink in hopes to clean up your speech. It is being well-spoken, yet unheard. It is yelling with your mouth shut some days. It is laughing too loudly, talking too loudly, being too loudly. It is talking to God and folks mistaking it as you talking to yourself. Being a Black girl is like being an open wound. The world keeps snagging its nasty fingernails on your stitches. Being a Black girl is bursting at the seams. Being a Black girl is the most beautiful nightmare you can ever dream.

It is hair braided too tightly, bare feet in summertime, rainbow beads unable to keep still as you jump rope. It is Pokemon cards, Nintendo 64 controllers, hide and seek, and riding your bicycle, but only in front of the house. It is kissing your friends on the cheek. It is the warmth shared from your hips to another’s. It is intimate and raw, water that drowns and also water that nurses. Being a Black girl is being free and sexy, but not too much, because the only thing scarier than being pregnant is to be pregnant with a Black son, one that can set between your legs and bleed out because of bullets, because of sin, because of trauma passed on from you, his mother, and her mother, and her father’s mother. Being a Black girl may mean taking pain, a lot of it, but it is also means you are overflowing with joy. Being a Black girl is waking up early on Sundays, it is wearing all white, it is being baptized in all of your little, Black self. Being Black is revolutionary. Always. It is a blessing, even in the midst of the hail and storm. Because being a Black girl means being the beginning, and the end, and all that falls in place and in between. We are what Eve recognized when she bit the apple. We are the hands that molded everything from dust. We are creation, the seventh day, the flood, the arc, the sunshine that broke through the grey. Being a Black girl is being God. Being a Black girl is beauty. Being a Black girl is the best decision I ever made. Mikey C. Apollo

B U Y YO U R I S S U E O F

Black Girls, Silence, And Other Things Made Of Gold E M A I L M I K E Y C O D YA P O L L O @ G M A I L . C O M T O G E T Y O U R C O P Y.

“Brown and Round Bodies”

ILLUSTRATION

Yessica Jimenez. Xeroine (heroine). Artista.

Since we have been following Yessica’s art for some time now, we also have noticed the change in her hand, as she proudly displays her in-progress work to completed pieces on social media. You may note organic motions forming goddess like motifs with “earthy” but very much vibrant color palettes.

Naturally cultivating her own artistic niche in the MKE art scene, her expression is strong, unapologetically feminine, with just the right amount of overt symbolism, fluidity, and culture.

YJ: “I have been drawing a lot of goddess deity looking figures because also within the last two years I have been dabbling a lot with what spirituality means to me. So I have been bringing that into my work along with kind of studying what deities and forms of spirituality my ancestors had before being taught Catholicism. So that’s been appearing in my art, little by little.”

CopyWrite sat down with the talented MIAD alum to learn more about her eye capturing illustrations, personal perspectives, and the other characteristics that make Yessica...well, Yessica. Yessica has been drawing all of her life. She remembers doing art at a very young age. Her older sister, who enjoyed drawing would be her first point of inspiration. YJ: “I remember watching her draw in these big ol’ sketchbooks and she would hand me sheets [she ripped out] to draw on.” Little did her sister know, those moments would lead to many more drawings and the support from other family members that noticed Yessica’s natural talent would give her the confidence to carry on. CW: “Since you have been doing it so long, do you think you have found your style yet?” YJ: “Kind of. Within the last two years, my work I feel has been more consistent, from the way that it looks, the material I have been using, the sizes, the content . . . Yeah, it wasn’t until like 2015 till now that I have finally got a grasp on what I want my art to look like, what I want in my art. Yes, it has finally happened.” She smiled with a look of relief.

CW: “Do you feel more comfortable with your spirituality now that you have been researching, drawing, and expressing these things?” YJ: “Yeah, kind of a little bit more comfortable with it. I guess growing up Catholic my whole life I’ve been like ‘Oh ya’ know it’s not that bad’ but ehh Catholic religion is kind of sketch...well maybe very sketch...I still pray the same way I was taught for so many years...but now I have been incorporating other things, like what it was that my ancestors appreciated.” Even with her personal research and appreciation for past traditions and culture she still is finding a bit of difficulty identifying with her ancestors, which makes the undertones of art she is making now, even more impactful. YJ: “I think just history-wise a part of my identity has been kind of erased. Not like by my parents or anything, but I would ask my parents what are we mixed with. I mean I know we are Mexican, but that’s just a nationality, not a [race] ... and my mother would say ‘I don’t know. We have just been here the whole time’.” (She laughed hard at the unuseful response.) “So I’m like ok well maybe Native? Yeah probably but even the term Native or Native American or even the term Indigenous just has so many politics behind it.”

“El Fruto De Tu Vientre”

“God is Woman”

ILLUSTRATION

She admits that even if that may be the case, it still leaves questions of how long ago was the last time her family was linked to a tribe or its practices and which one?

One of her most recent projects consisting of elaborate illustrations of the zodiac signs is one example of how Yessica’s stylistic approach is much needed in the art world.

CW: “So looking at your work now, do you think somebody could tell that you are Mexican?” YJ: “Haha Probably.” CW: “Well could they tell that you are of color?” YJ: “Yeah I think so for sure.”

YJ: “Every time I would look up zodiac illustrations... they were mostly just White female portraits being depicted. So something I did specifically with this project, and this is the first time I’m mentioning it to anybody, but I used all women of color modeled after each zodiac [sign]. I feel like most of my friends that are into the zodiac and astronomy have been women of color ... So I’m like I’ma throw this one at you guys. [They] deserve it.”

We agree with Yessica, though it may have started subconsciously, the depiction of “ethnic” characteristics are hard to ignore. It is that touch of “likeness” that disseminates through her work that just lets you know. YJ: “I remember one of the critiques [at MIAD] that really hit and stuck with me was that I didn’t know how to draw White people.” (Here we goooooo!) YJ: “One of my teachers said that to me. It was fine because I was an Illustration major, so what we were doing was always about the client . . . I don’t remember what the project was but it was about a White character and they were just like, ‘Your character does not look White!’ I was like how? She’s blonde!” (Supposedly she looked more Hispanic, identifiable by the nose and hair texture.) “So for the rest of my senior year for every project possible I would try to practice drawing Caucasian people thinking that’s what my career was going to be based off after I graduated. Now literally every single piece that comes out of me is depicting women of color, so I just threw that whole concept away.” Well unlike what mass media might want you to think, the client is not always White. Yessica’s comforting counter to that reality has been producing a very interesting body of work where her representation fits her clientele and her community.

She plans on making a twelve-month calendar out of the illustrations later this year, so stay on the lookout for those. CW: “Where do you see all this going? ... You have a degree. You have one of those things most artists don’t have. They say with a degree no matter what you do in life, you have a better chance of doing it, so what do you want to do with it?” YJ: “I’m still figuring that out ... I feel like being a freelance illustrator so far, but not as the only source of income, has been pretty good so far ... I think eventually that’s really the goal, to make art and to be a full-time freelance artist.” (She also has aspirations to open a gallery/coffee shop in the future ... so she is keeping her options open.) One lesson she has learned the hard way as a freelance artist is whenever you are vending and selling your work, you should always bring originals with you. She missed out on an opportunity to sell to a New York collector because she only had prints and he was interested in the real deal. But she does recognize that some opportunities are not meant to be. YJ: “I kind of felt salty for like a second but looking back at it, the pieces that he was talking about, I think I’d rather go home with either another woman of color or a woman because they were personal to me ... I kind of want people who can relate to those pieces to have them.” (Check out her cactus pieces with body hair that show commentary on Euro-American beauty standards, to understand that perspective. @xeroine_illustrations on Instagram.)

“July 2015”

Even with her illustrations being more inspired by women, a more recent commission veers into more masculine territory producing a book cover for local poet, Diana Mora, is eye-catching to say the least. YJ: “It’s a penis with two pomegranates as like testicles and pomegranate seeds as cum. It was interesting to make and it was fun. I had never done anything like that before.” Risky, risky it is but we must say it is very well done LOL. Yessica is starting to understand herself as not only an artist but as a being on this earth. Where she has been questioning stigmatic representations in her work she also has become a vocal member of the social media community. She often gives insightful spiels on very relevant subjects with no censorship and with CopyWrite being all for a good rant, we thought we’d let her have a go at it. CW: “Is there anything you want people to know? About you, about art, about society? Is there anything you want to say Yessica? This is your moment to sound off!” YJ: “There are a lot of things I want to say.” (She said with a clever laugh.) “But I guess what’s been on my mind lately is the idea of letting go of colorist tendencies that I’m still trying to unlearn from my childhood. Maybe that will be my next art project, addressing colorism. So yeah, let go of that! Stop telling your light skinned cousin that she is more beautiful than your dark skinned and brown siblings or cousins. That’s pretty prominent in Latin American families too ya’ know. Like our ancestors weren’t this light skinned five hundred years ago.” *PREACH!* We can’t wait to see what Yessica comes up with next. We know without a doubt it will be thought-provoking, expressive, and very much conscious of the things that can no longer be left unsaid . . . Because that’s just what Xeroines do. /CW To see more of Yessica’s work, visit xeroineillustration.com.

“Hoes Praying For Justice” series

WHO LET US BACK IN? A CW PERSPECTIVE

SXSW PERSPECTIVE VIA DIRTY

“Who let us BACK in?” - I remember seeing the announcement of CopyWrite attending SXSW for our second year in a row. With press credentials on lock, the culture rush and festivities, deeply embedded in our spring scheduling had me stoked. (But knocking it all out while doing midterms...haha that challenge would be real.) Still salivating from last years experience, my first stop had to be to the Chilantro food truck, right outside of the Austin Convention Center, for Kimchi Fries. (Yes, they are still undefeated), a link up with the #Squad, then off to explore the hustle and “hip-heaven” of 6th street. Just as expected the vibe was lit... freestyle corner battles, music coming out of every bar, art, fashion (Ya’ girl got stopped by some European clothing blog to take a pics for a style profile…Me? Fashionable? Ya’ don’t say? Who knew that my midwest Geechie would turn heads), and CULTURE, lots and lots of COOL-TURE! (Yea I know that’s corny.) Everywhere you looked there was somebody or something to see. So who was #Spotted this year? I shook up with Trae Tha Truth, while he glided through the crowd, so unbothered. Got acknowledged by Rico Nasty as she strutted down the street with that vicious rock star attitude (Idk what it is but she has got “it.”) I was pleasantly greeted by Joey Purp after his set, at the Showtime’s ‘The Chi’ event. (He literally was shaking the stage! Joey that energy is something else...don’t stop! #Bars) We caught Webster X, with his appearance at the Bat Bar (MKE Love). Brother Polight even got a moment of my time, as we listened to him spit some knowledge on his perspective of the “BLACK” diaspora (Crazy part is I had just been having a similar talk the night before.) I even got rushed by Joker and Harley Quinn! (Two adorable Sugar Glider’s, debuting their cutest right outside of Two Bucks.)

However, the most notable encounter for me this year had to be at the Highland Lounge for the Wyclef Jean & Friends feat. Wavie Gang and Riley set. (Of course, I want to S/O Milwaukee’s very own Wavie Gang & Wavie Boi B, who happens to be featured in Issue Nine of CopyWrite Magazine. Seeing them out here cultivating their niche in the industry is exactly the type of cultural collaboration we are rooting for.) But anyways...like I was saying, my most notable encounter happened there, right in the middle of the crowd where Wyclef himself jumped off the stage delivering an ‘off the dome’ freestyle of bars that projected his expertise, and one of the many skill sets that have made him successful in the game. In the middle of the crowd, in true cypher mode he turned, stood directly in front of my face and delivered a few hotlines for our Instagram story! An epic rush, for my Fugees lovin’, 911, Sweetest Girl, singing a**. These moments only happen at SXSW! Now where that was a moment to live for, you know everything is not always sweet. Oh, how do I wish I could get that 10 minutes back I spent looking at Conductors and Resistance by Ronen Sharabani, one of the SXSW Art Program installations. As a person who went to art school and has seen many of out of the box applications of art, I’m just ‘Good’ on that one….and I shall not elaborate. Of course, I must mention that our CW Backyard Set was pretty fun. Thank you to everybody who helped us bring a little culture mix from MKE to ATX. (Now they all know what a “Walking Taco” is #ForTheWin.) SXSW you did me good this year...but of course, there will always be a craving for more. I guess we’ll just have to wait it out...the same way I waited for those Kimchi Fries! /Dirty

As a music fan, Netflix set promoting ‘Rapture’ at Stubb’s BBQ, definitely did it for me. Just Blaze, Trae Tha Truth, Rapsody, Dave East (next time do Keisha for me, that’s my joint), and T.I. all on one stage? Bonkers B! The fact that I didn’t have to change venues for all that greatness made me so, so, happy! (That line, even with my press pass was too long to not have enjoyed, so umm yeah!)

SXSW VIA SYN

I knew SXSW was going to be different this year. For anyone in any other city reading this, think about it this way. The biggest festival in town comes and takes over your downtown. If you work downtown, the normal streets you take to get to work are closed, every place you want to eat for lunch is covered with “foreigners” and your overall attention span to get anything productive done has left the room. If you live in that city, you try to avoid it completely (if you can) and sometimes even take it for an easy paycheck. (Lyft, anyone?) For 9 days, I had submerged myself in SXSW culture. From bars and concerts to food trucks and Flatstock, SX was a part of my days and nights and I got to experience music, gaming and some really cool brand activations. This year was also different from last year because all of the squad had a wristband. Including the SXSW Music wristband, I stacked up a number of other wristbands from events like the Tumblr Show Up Event, the GSD&M annual SXSW party (Invite Only), the Buchanan’s event, Showtime’s ‘The Chi’ event, and a few for the Stubb’s BBQ show space for NPR and Netflix’s newest show ‘Rapture.’ My favorite showcase (other than ours) was The 7th Annual ICM x Cantu Showcase Presented By Bumble. This showcase had an ALL FEMALE LINE-UP. Yes, you read that right. ALL FEMALE. The lineup included Willow Smith (who later cancelled), Rapsody, Kamaiyah, Molly Brazy, Cuban Doll, Kodie Shane, Tayla Parx, Rico Nasty, Kamillion, Re Lxuise and more. And even featured sounds by Kitty Cash and DJ Osh Kosh to hold it down for the femme DJs killing it out there in the world. Other than the impressive lineup of female talent, artist Rico Nasty caught my attention with her wild and energetic performance; think Nicki Minaj with a hint of DMX, but over bubblegum beats and add a killer Goth outfit. Rico captured the crowd while performing songs like “Poppin” (from Season 2 of Insecure) and the jam “Smack a B***h.” It was incredible to see this young artist killing it. The other parts of the event included lots of Cantu products to take home, a photobooth, a cool VIP section and a Cantu pop-up salon. Just like last year, celebrities were all over the place engaging with the crowd and CopyWrite was right there to make a quick intro. We got to chat and shake hands with Young Guru, Joey Purp, Ugly God, Beanie Sigel, Trae Tha Truth and Brother PoLight. We even got to see some Milwaukee locals exploring the streets of Austin for this year’s festival. (What’s up WebsterX and Nick.)

Of course we stopped by Flatstock, SXSW (Open to the Public) Marketplace. The exhibit featured thousands of posters, artist merch and some booths of businesses that are on their way to the come up (and some bigger ones too). One notable business was DungeonForward. A Florida-based business, DungeonForward sells crowns and when I say crowns, I mean the crowns of the outfit, hats. Their custom pieces are beautifully detailed creations that reference pop culture, style, and will have someone come up to you with the “Where you get your hat at?” question. We even got to chat with the owner, so we can vouch for the creativity that comes with every piece. Check them out on Instagram @dungeonforward. Tell them CW sent you. Now to the fun and the crazy… CopyWrite Magazine presented The Backyard Set. The set featured MKE and ATX artists as we created an intimate and private setting for our fans to listen and view the talent. The line-up included Mosaico X, ELSZ, Grey Genius, Don Ether, Shun Million$, Mamis, Auti Marie, Paper Stacks and Aye Cue. Along with the music, we featured local ATX vendors and backyard food to get the vibes going. Overall, the event was lit and we got 150 guests to RSVP for our set. “ It was nice to have a little home in SXSW and great to see generations of people come together to enjoy good music and good vibes.” - Backyard Set Attendee But still let me know if we should do it again lol. #INeedToGetReady #ShoutOutToNepantlaUSA #CouldntHaveDoneItWithoutClaudia All in all, SXSW was once again filled with memories that I will cherish forever. Now, let me just prepare myself for next year hahaha… /Syn

SXSW VIA FREAKISHNERD

Sequels are never as good as the original. In part, due to the powers that be trying to recapture the same things that made the first one great. For a truly great sequel, you have to take those characters that people fell in love with and put them in situations that are different from the first one. Let’s try this: we take the characters from the first one (Syn, Dirty, and Freakish), make one of the characters a local (Syn), let’s have a character spend more time in the new surrounding than the last time (Freakish), and for shits & giggles, let’s add two new characters that complement our existing trio. This is CW at SXSW 2018. Lots of differences this time around. Syn and I had to purchase Music Wristbands so we could get into more events. We were able to get a camera tag for my camera so we could get more pictures (Press magic), and there was not nearly as much walking around (which I’m sure everybody’s feet were grateful.) We even went into the convention center to do something other than pick up Dirty’s badge. It was pretty smooth this time around. One big gripe I have is with the Wristband. I completely get that SXSW needs to make it’s money and that the badges are the big selling point, BUT… I feel the Music Fest Wristbands should have the same priority into showcases as the Music Badges. Why would someone want to pay $189 for the “possibility” of getting into a show? The wristbands don’t need the same access, deals and specials you get with having a badge, BUT a guaranteed entry into events that you bought it for? That just makes sense. I shouldn’t have purchased a wristband and watched people pay general admission into a venue getting in before me. I shouldn’t have had to wait for the badge line to be empty before I got to get in. Because spoiler alert, the badge line is never empty! That’s bull.

Honestly, that is the most important thing I wanted to say. Wristbands are basically a waste of money. All the showcases during the day are open to the public and most venues let you pay your way in. The wristband feels useless. Hopefully we get one more badge next year so we can do more and see more. SO many shows I couldn’t see because I was stuck in line for other shows. SXSW needs to restructure that. Maybe have a photo wristband for press. Most press photographers are shooting shows anyway, have a press band for camera operators and give press badges to writers. Photographers can get into panels if need be by accompanying a writer they’ve been paired with by their outlet. Something I really want to do next year is to get clearance to do more of the film events. I want to provide more well-rounded coverage for CopyWrite. Even though music is a big part of what we do, we want to branch out and offer more content. I tried to catch Social Animals and had no luck getting in. Maybe a film band or badge or something. I don’t know. I’ll figure that part out for next year. They coolest area we were able to sneak our way into was the Interactive portion. Lots of cool tech demos and all the nerd shit I’m here for. Even saw a couple of folks in costumes. I can’t wait to see how big that gets in the coming years, it might add another week to SXSW if it gets big enough. You heard it from me first. Keep watch on it. /FreakishNerd

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SX SW CO N FER EN CE HI GHLI GHT:

If The Artists Only Knew W / KP THE GR EAT & DAVI D BANNE R

Navigating the creative world has been a story we have been spotlighting for a while, but always from the local level. Though we may often snark at industry faux pas, those who have cultivated a niche in such a brutal battlefield are the warriors that we admire and respect. So when we heard that KP the Great and David Banner would be giving a “honest” talk on the music biz (one of the most highly profiled creative industries), and exposing the tools that have helped them reach their ultimate success; we had to attend. We hope there is no need to drop their credentials but for those of you who don’t know, KP the Great is a Grammy award-winning music exec, who started off in the industry as the DJ for the Dungeon Family’s group, Parental Advisory and later turned A&R for Outkast. David Banner is a Grammy award-winning producer, recording artist, philanthropist, activist, and actor. But course If we must be blunt... We want to hear REAL knowledge from REAL people who came from the REAL world! (Ya’ dig?) Where the industry struggles to connect with its future contributors, KP and Banner gave their audience the opportunity to explore a door that is meant to be opened, to reveal a seat at the table that is definitely tangible. Here is what we learned:

GAME

KNOW WHERE THE INDUSTRY IS TAKING YOU:

“I still buy albums”, Banner stated. Not just for the nostalgia, but because of their value. His statement revealed the domination that the streaming industry now has on music. “They have tricked a generation of artist into giving away their talent for free.” We have come into an era where we have begun to pay several middlemen for artist work, an artist must know that in this time the value of music has been dubbed by half cents. How you distribute your product will factor into your monetary gain.

KNOW YOUR ROLE: “ Your job as a creative is to keep creating.” - KP

Even though KP has had major accomplishments in his career, he has not let the hype of one great achievement keep him stagnant. He suggests that once you reach one accomplishment you should be plotting on your next move. So this means that you shouldn’t be trying to eat off the hype of your last mixtape bruh. Keep the momentum going! Drop more fire, but be strategic. Every win takes time.

KNOW WHO IS REALLY ON YOUR TEAM:

“ Everybody that was around me always had to do something.” - David Banner This is how you weed people out. Both Banner and KP suggest that the people around you should inspire you. Every contribution matters. If everybody eats B, then everybody should want to help prep that meal. If it’s just bringing back what’s hot in the streets, giving constructive criticism, or grabbing a sandwich for your guy after he has been up all night trying to perfect that beat. Just sitting around smoking up the room won’t suffice. If this is a business, treat it as such. Some people are apart of your team, and others are just your friends. It’s time to draw the line and know the difference. In how many other jobs do you bring your friends to work?

KNOW WHO’S BOSS:

“The Record Company works for you.” That’s a bold statement coming from a music exec. KP notes that without YOU the artist, the record company has no employment. “ I told the CEO of a record company one time, I can go out on the street and rap and people would throw money... You can’t go out there and talk about accounting.” - David Banner Both suggest if you know what you want and what you are willing to stand for, you can write your own contract. Record labels know exactly what they want from you when they approach. Don’t let them finesse you into giving up your goals for fame. KP says that label contracts are 100 pages because that’s years of experience. They want to make sure they cover anything that could possibly happen... but who is going to cover you? You have to plan.

KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION: “ Your team is the most important thing you can have.” - KP

See that’s definitely a jump off of the last point. But both could not stress enough about how collaborating with the people around you moves the whole squad. There will often be times when you are not the face of the movement but you are the catalyst. Be smooth with that. The frontman (the rapper, the lead singer, the one that’s always in the light) is a vehicle. If the vehicle has no wheels, how will it roll? If you can all work together to use your distinct skills, the unified motion will propel you. How do you think KP got on? He wasn’t out here hating on Andre 3000 or Big Boy because they didn’t pass the mic. He was behind the scenes. So put your efforts in where they best fit.

KNOW THAT KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR POWER: “ You are only a slave to what you don’t know.”

David Banner revealed to us all that his power is knowing where to go to get the right insight. You can’t be everywhere, and you can’t know everything. It is the connectivity of the people that bring you one step closer to understanding your placement, your calling, and your contribution. As creative beings, we are emotional about our work, and we try to transfer our thoughts in ways that are not reflective of our true knowledge. Write it down. Sift through it for clarity and then present it to the world. Your success depends on it.

KP The Great and David Banner had a lot of uncensored perspectives to share and even opened up the floor for the audience to speak. But there some things you just would have had to hear for yourself. The intimate room roared with laughter, bubbled with epiphanies, and pondered on comments that we had never heard delivered with that same form of truth. All respects to the game, and those who have the artistry to win. /CW

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