The Comeback - Issue Four

ISSUE FOUR \ FALL 2015

new, improved & back better than ever.

WHAT YOU’VE MISSED

INTERVIEWS W/ ± mike regal ± bo triplex ± quron payne ± julian cedron

TA B L E O F CONT E N T S 04 06 08 14 18 24 30 34

words from our editor

meet the homie: vato

behind the lens: julian cedron

being regal

fall fashion

bo triplex: one funky mother shut yo mouth

q u r o n p a y n e : w h o ’s t h a t ?

2015 CW recap

respect to our 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 A R T D I R E C TO R / C A R S Y N TAY LO R FA S H I O N E D I TO R / VATO V E R G A R A C OV E R P H OTO G R A P H Y / J U L I A N C E D R O N 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 I C H A E L JAY R E G A L Q U R O N PAY N E BO TRIPLEX MISSION 10 ELEVEN HOUSE OF RENJI IMANI MASON E L I D R L JAC A

CopyWrite Magazine Media & Design, LLC is currently a non-profit 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 copywrite.mke@gmail.com.

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words from our editor.

I

have yet to find comfort in formalities. They just seem...well way too formal.

So you won’t be receiving a greeting from me. No intro. No witty anecdotes.

No nada! (Though this may be an intro distracting you from my anxiousness to get to the point in the first three words.)

Dudeeeeeee, I sure do miss writing these.

“Dirty, Dirty, Dirty, how is the Magazine?”

“Lexi, Lex, Lex, when’s the next release?”

“What have you guys been doing?”

“Where have you guys been?”

“What’s the word with CopyWrite?” “ I need an interview, I’m trying to get down with you!” -----> PAUSE, as I let the Dom Kennedy play in my head and I try to respond to the tormenting questions without seeming annoyed.

I systematically reply: ‘ We have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work, special press releases and some reformation of the brand. We are working If you need us, just let us know...’

With our supporters constant anticipation and our hesitation to release had my stomach churning, my heart aching and my mind going bonkers but I knew it was all temporary. Rome wasn’t built in a day and good hustle can’t just thrive over night.

So where had we been?

Running ourselves ragged trying to graduate from college, doing these massive projects that could make or break your whole life (survived that).

Then the spazzing moments after graduation where you get smacked in the face with real world issues, real world bills and real world sacrifice (still trying to survive that). We had some soul searching to do. As things and people around us began to dissipate, lifestyles changed and priorities morphed, CopyWrite could not feed us alone and we were starving.

But here we are! Counting our blessings and etching out our own paths. We have set a NEW foundation based on everything we were meant to be, with absolutely no apologies for things we are not… AND I MEAN NONE! As always we will write blunt interviews. We will question idiotic behavior. We will laugh at our own misfortunes and use them as conversation starters. We will not confine our freedom of expression or limit ourselves to any societal boundaries. We are CopyWrite! You should know better!

So once again, I must mention how I’m not big on formalities. So you won’t be getting any closure here. No outro. No conclusion. No orthodox exit strategy.

(Though this maybe the part where I rush you to go explore everything we have been waiting to share with you.)

Go ahead! Now be “ inquisitive” and ask “What’s the word on CopyWrite?”

My reply: BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!

Real Geechie Yo! Everything is copacetic. (Yes, I said copacetic!) *Stupid grin* You’re welcome LOL, DIRTY

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all things urban live here/ F O L LO W U S & K E E P U P DAT E D

@copywritemag

MEET THE HOMIE: VATO Introducing the newest member of our team, Fashion Editor, Vato’.

Dress to the nines, Vato’ enters the room with a suit coat, vest and tie firmly in place. With a toss of the coat, the pop of a few buttons and a few minor tweaks to his attire he goes from business to urban chic in less than 60 seconds.

Q: “Why do they call you Vato’?”

A: “Well you know, I’m Puerto Rican and Black. Vato’ is (a) Mexican (term)... My friends used to always call me that and it would piss me off. I would be like, “Can you stop calling me that! I’m not Mexican... call me something else!” Then one day my friend Charmaine came running into the house from school saying she had to tell me something and was yelling, “Vato’, Vato’, Vato’!” She said that day in Spanish class she had learned that Vato’ means “Homie”.

She was like “Vato’, you my Homie.” I’m the Homie! So the name changed from being negative to positive, so I’m like cool I’m Vato’.

Call me Vato’.”

Q: “You do music, you throw events, you do fashion. How did you get into the MKE “URBAN” scene?”

A: He recounts that it all started after AR Wesley, Vonny Del Fresco and himself went to a show, it was the basement of a shack gallery on Milwaukee’s east side about five years ago. The walls were splattered with graffiti, the ceilings were low covered with sheets and the DJ was booming. He met so many people that night *we were there* including his now good friend Mason High Life (Imani).

“It was the dopest thing I ever saw in my life.” Vonny and AR used to come over to my house and rap all the time, and I used to throw backyard parties, but that event was so dope to me that I wanted to throw my own. So I told them, “We about to get in this game.”

Vonny was already stepping in. Next was for AR and Vato to find their spot. Meeting Imani was a take off, it all led to him creating Look-N-Listen.

Q: “How did you find your niche?”

A: “I dress, I knew I always dressed and that made me a little different from everyone else, so I knew I could do that. Then I always wrote music and poetry which a lot of people don’t know.”

Vato’s great ear for music allowed him to circulate and network with a lot of Milwaukee talent and host showcases that express the rawness of music, fashion, and culture.

Q: “What’s your favorite clothing item?”

A: “My fur scarfs. I like how they look and feel, It just has a certain class to it. It’s funny I went to Chicago, and everybody from the train to the bus to the taxi was stopping me asking me where I got my scarf.”

He told us where he purchased them for the low, low of $20 but we’re keeping that secret to ourselves.

Q: “Random fact?”

A: “I don’t wear deodorant, I use limes. You cut them up and squeeze them under your armpits and let them dry for a few minutes. Then you’re good to go. I looked it up online because deodorant was irritating my skin. It’s a detox… the first time you do it, you will sweat like crazy but it works.”

Well who would have known?!

Q: “If you could let the world know anything, what would you say?”

A: “See I can go corny or go I can get deep. Ok I will give you my favorite quote: ‘Success is a journey, not a destination!’ - Arthur Ashe. I been using that quote since I was in the 6th grade. In my cover letters, that’s the firstthing I say, if I have an interview, that’s the first thing I say. I have to say it. People have to know.

Even if you have to make stops, it’s still a journey; it’s not the final destination.”

Keep on the look out for Vato’s journey through CopyWrite from fashion features to Grandparent’s closet, on-the-street fashion, seasonal selects and much more.

BEHIND THE LENS

julian cedron Everyone sees their world differently, he just happens to see his through a lens.

This Photographer/Videographer has the ability to capture the rawness of a moment and make it breathe life even after that moment has passed.

Julian Cedron captures images that are so enticing, they drew CopyWrite on a chase to find out about the man behind the lens.

CW: “Photography, why?”

JC: “Photography and videography. But I don’t know...I’ve been doing it for so long. Pretty much since I could really hold a camera...like 6th grade probably. I just love it.”

Julian brings his camera everywhere and shoots everyday.

CW: “How would you explain your style?”

JC: “It’s not like everyone else’s. I mean, I like dark, moody pictures. I like shooting that style. I think anyone who has their own style is on their way to and they will probably do something good... so yeah. Nothing too bright.”

CW: “So no fairies, puppies and unicorns?”

JC: “Fuck That!”

CW: “Does your style of photography say anything about you as a person? Are you dark and moody?

JC: “Maybe it does. I guess I am actually. Mean looking, gritty looking...I don’t know. Thats kind of how I am. I have a dry sense of humor. I’m pretty weird I guess.”

CW: We have seen some of your work. We like it. It has a different edge, different feel to it. But obviously everything can’t be captured by the camera, so when you edit them, how do you decide how to treat that picture?”

JC: “I do a lot of editing in the camera, which I don’t think a lot of people do anymore...but pretty much all I do is add some contrast, add some shadows, and make it moody.”

CW: “Lightroom or Photoshop?”

JC: “I use Lightroom and Photoshop. At the moment, I don’t have Lightroom so I’m using the camera raw in Photoshop...It’s just, you know, getting illegal software.

CW: “On the record?” We all laughed.

JC: “On the record. Don’t buy software. It’s a waste of money.”

Julian has other jobs, but career wise this is what he plans on doing with his life.

CW: “What people have you shot that you enjoyed the most?”

JC: “Public Enemy at Summerfest. That was pretty crazy. I got to hang out with Flav (Flava Flav) and Chuck D. CW: “How was that?”

JC: “He is old as shit (Flava Flav) but super cool...super chill. Hmm, I’m trying to think. There have been so many this year.”

CW: “Local artist?”

JC: “Yeah, I shoot with Rebel Nation a lot.”

Julian has been shooting with many people. He told us he is constantly getting hit up about doing some work; it’s hard to plan out. But in our opinion he is definitely worth the wait.

CW: “Making it (big), if you could shoot anybody or anything what would you shoot?”

JC: “Probably fashion, or model photography.”

We questioned what he considered model photography, since a new trend has been found of taking pictures of girls with skimpy clothes on with their “ASSets” tutted up in the air. Vixenly-titled Art. JC: “It depends. It depends on the clothing and I guess the attitude of the person wearing it. Their face, their expression, body language. Things like that...you can have a pretty girl and put her in a moody situation. It can be cool.”

Over the summer Julian Cedron, interned for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee station, executing photography and videography for all their web media. Working there has granted him the opportunities to go to places, like Lollapalooza, where he had a chance to shoot Tyler the Creator and Kid Cudi.

Only 21 years old, Julian has a few cool experiences under his belt.

Doing a stint in L.A., he did some videography for reality TV, editing and shooting shows like Storage Wars and Pretty Little Liars.

Cedron is actually from the Valley but moved to a small town outside of Madison WI, called Waunakee, in high school.

JC: “It has a population of like 7,000. Then I moved to Milwaukee to go to school at UWM.” Where Julian is majoring in film programing; which is fitting.

CW: “The photo set you sent us (all the pictures seen here in the spread), do they have anything in common?”

JC: “Yes, I took all of those in one week.”

Not shocking since his camera is always by his side. he doesn’t miss a moment. * Fun Fact: Julian plays the drums and likes to skateboard. “I only skate Enjoi.”

Julian has been many places, driven across Europe, lived in Vegas and just came back from Mexico City, the weekend before our interview. His eyes open and his perspective documented he has many more moments to live out and capture.

CW: “What makes you live?”

“ I’m not deep like that...

But I do whatever I want & I don’t care about bullshit.”

That we can respect. /CW

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@juliancedron

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BEING REGAL Some names are just fitting. Mike Jay Regal has one of those names.

Contrary to popular belief, the MKE based producer/rapper’s birth name is not “Regal”. However his demeanor of natural poise and utter chill, promotes regality at its finest.

“ It’s been a journey to get to this name.”

Regal’s first “industry name” was actually Jay-R, like

junior. After doing some research he found out that a lot of other rappers had the same name with the same spelling, so he decided not to follow suit.

MR: “One day I was looking for some samples and I stumbled over a wrestling video and there was this wrestler named William Regal. I was like ‘damn I like his name.’ I wikipediaed him for some reason ‘n shit and found out his real name was not William Regal. But I wanted to know what the Regal was for, so I looked it up. It was like royal, of king stature. So I made the R stand for Regal. So then it was Jay Regal for a while.”

But soon after settling on the name, he started to make a fan page and found out there is a personal trainer with fifty thousand followers with the same name. Not wanting to be linked to the buff, Caucasian dude from Miami, in the G-Unit tank-top, he chucked that name too.

MR: “I was like ugh, I guess it’s back to the drawing board. Kanye being one of my biggest inspirations, I immediately just went to him and was like ‘that’s his real name’. Then i realized a lot of my inspirations do (use their real names), like Erick Sermon… even with Drake, and the new generation, I look up to him; thats his middle name. That’s their real name they are giving themselves, so I just put the Mike in front of it. Mike Regal.”

He admitted making the change was a bit shaky at first, but he has made many major moves as Mike Regal, so it’s becoming predominant and like we said before, it simply fits.

When you mention Mike Regal on the scene in MKE most people will know who you are talking about.

His production skills are commended upon and his placement as a rapper is growing in its own right.

CW: “So when did you get out here at this capacity?

Because when we talk to people about music of all different spectrum’s they are saying your name.”

MR: “Really like last year when I won the Miltown BeatDown.

When i started working with Reggie (Bonds), AR (Wesley) and when I started working with Cool Tay. (All members of Rebel Nation, the collective Regal is apart of). That all really started last year, but I been making music since I was 17. When I started I was just producing. At 19, I was doing both, making beats and rapping all day. So I would say about 2009 is when I got serious.”

Mike is 25 now. Sparking up his memory he began to contemplate on the moves he has made in the last six years. Crazy how time flies.

MR: “Ahhhh Oooo Noooo!” He jokingly spazzed out, not wanting to pick one favorite. So we eased up and said he could slide with a top three. “Definitely my proudest moment was winning the Miltown BeatDown (2014). I was in it the year before and lost.

So it was definitely a turning point for me. It was really painful because I was so passionate about the music. It fucked me up because everyone thought I won. I mean I was holding It down but my mixing wasn’t necessarily up to par and I didn’t have the crowd because I was lowkey at the time as far as my presence on the music scene in the city. (The fans are 33% of the vote at the BeatDown, the other percentage comes from the judges. The judges on the stage and the judges watching from the top). So I lost the crowd immediately because the dude that beat me wasn’t better but had like 40 people in there for him all in the front like ‘Yo! Yo! Yo!’ and I had like 15.” He laughed hard at the thought.

He also mentioned that female rapper, Jean Grae, was also in the building after her performance at UWM. She tweeted Mike during the BeatDown, stating, “I don’t know who this Mike Regal dude is but he just killed this Nautilus flip” ( A song by Bob James.) He protest the crowd was feeling it when he did that but he still lost.

MR: “So when I won it this year it was surreal.”

CW: “Yeah, thats a moment.”

MR: “And then my favorite tracks? Wooh, that’s hard. I mean I got some with PC (the Real) in there, and some with Gen (Genesis Renji) that are crazy…”. He took a second to think. “...Being honest, Old Dirty Bastard, Effect 3, and the ‘92 Drug Flow (Remix). A.R. has two on that list but I really fuck with him though. He is the shit for those.”

CW: “Produce or Rap?” MR: “If I had to chose one?”

CW: “Yes, If you had to choose.”

MR: “Produce.”

Already assuming that would be the answer, we asked why?

MR: “It’s more of a release for me then rapping. Because I release more in my beats. I mean like in rapping I definitely paint pictures of my life but the beat has to be the canvas. I need the right beat to even bring that out of my mind...That was my first love of music; instrumentation. Like drums and beats I used to be like the only one to pay attention to the theme songs in cartoons or the drop beats in between on the Fresh Prince of Belair. I would be like, ‘Ohhh Damn, that was cold’. I was like six years old the first time I saw ‘Juice’. I had shoe boxes, scratchin’’’, thinking I was Q.” Mike says when he listens to a song for the first time he hears the beat first, and drowns out the lyrics. “I have to hear it three or four times then the words will start to register.” He makes it clear, if the beat isn’t right he can’t listen to it no matter how dope a lyricist is. To him it’s all about the music.

MR: “So yeah produce. Rappers be Fu’. I rather stay behind the scenes, pass the beats out and collect all the money.”

CW: “Over these last years, what’s your proudest moment and favorite thing that you have produced?”

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He claims that producers are lab rats and make music 24/7. He feels as though it’s less demanding, where a rapper has to perform all the time and make appearances.

Though he does both, he spends most of his day in the studio where he can cultivate and express himself freely.

CW: “So what’s a typical day for you?”

MR: “I wake up, go to work…”

CW: “What’s work?”

That questioned triggered a big answer. Regal works at an inner city hospital, where he believes that low funding may lead to its closure. His perspective yields that hospital politics and unsubstantial staffing is detrimental to the community. He reasons that people maybe put into some harmful circumstances if it does close since it is the only hospital in the heart of the city.

Deep thought from a producer/rapper huh?

MR: “Then I come to the lab. I usually have sessions where I’m making beats with people or we are working on songs. I also set a couple of days aside where i just come in and work by myself. I’m actually wrapping up a project that I’m about to put out this winter…”

CW: “Got a name?”

MR: “Premonitions”.

Premonitions will be his first project out where he uses the name Mike Regal. (Besides his beat tape entitled: In My ‘87 Rari). Other projects out include: Terminal Illness, The Darkside and Fresh Produce. (All under Jay Regal) Regal has been recording almost two years for his Premonitions project. Taking his time, he has been working to make sure everything is right for his release. He wants his name to be up to par and his execution to be purposeful.

MR: “I’m really excited about this first stamp I’m going to make as an artist. I really haven’t seen anybody put their whole and all into the release, let alone the videos, and singles, everything matching up to the project…The project is the seed to the plants and everything you will see later.”

MR: “It takes planning too...what a lot of people don’t understand is they want to work on music but you also have to understand music. It’s a certain type of music you have to make to even be considered for the Grammy’s. It has to say something for culture, have the right type of pop music, the right type of Urban music...it usually has to be a concept album, because those are the most thought provoking.”

Keeping all those things in mind, planning for a Grammy does not seem so far fetched for Mike Regal. His skill, talent and understanding combined, give him a good starting point to reach the top.

We asked if he could list a few people he would want to work with, and he comprised an extensive list of artist, so many we had to stop writing. But here are a few: Kanye West Erick Sermon Jay-Z Dr. Dre Ryan Leslie Schoolboy Q Ab-Soul J.Cole…

MR: “Oh and Drake. Can’t forget Drizzy. If I get one beat on his album I’m set. I would even Quentin Miller for him too. I won’t say a word.” He laughed and started talking like Drake calling up Q to tell him not to snitch to the press. * SIDE NOTE: Mike Regal is really good at impressions. He changed his voice to match the likes of several people, including fellow Rebel Nation members Reggie Bonds and A.R. Wesley, throughout our chat.

A few weeks before our meet up, Regal had a chance to perform at Indy Fest in Kansas City with another local favorite, Vincent Van Great the Producer. Asking him about his trip, he said it reminded him a lot of MKE. MR: “It was dope...It was definitely a different feel. I mean when you go to Vegas, New York or LA, it’s nothing like here. But Kansas City, it’s not that far of a jump.”

CW: “Performing, how do you feel about being a part of Milwaukee’s ‘Hip-Hop’ scenes?”

Regal got to perform a set and was involved in a beat showcase while at the fest. He also did some heavy networking and shared some tidbits of his plot with CopyWrite, off the record. Just know it’s pretty bonkers. And we love bonkers.

MR: “It’s straight. It’s a learning process, that’s all it is. I take everything as preparing me for the bigger stage. I love performing.”

All in all, Mike Regal’s quality of work and presence in the growing music community speak for itself. His video, Keep Smoking, was even featured on thesource.com this past May.

His hopes of bigger stages include the popular Madison Square Garden and the Grammy’s.

(Which he intends on winning one.)

MR: “I just want to craft the perfect way to introduce myself as a full blown artist not just a rapper or a producer but as an artist as a whole...I just really want people to know, yeah they’re hearing Mike Regal now, but they will be hearing it a lot more.”

Hence, the Premonition.

CW: “Well how do you plan on getting there? Everyone has a dream.”

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FALL

FASHION CopyWrite gets you fall ready with this falls season trends, colors to wear and of course are favorite on-the-street looks that transforms plain outfits into remarkable ones with a flick of a pattern or a slip of a boot.

FALL COLORS

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URBAN MEN This season, it’s all about mixing classic pieces with bold details. Take your favorite all black outfit and pair it with a bold boot or jacket, add the hat that makes the outfit and the statement boot to kill the game.

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LADIES ARE PIMPS TOO. Use your clothing to your advantage, this is the time to mix your favorite summer pieces with your fall classics. Take your outfits to the next level and layer these trends into your everyday fall wardrobe.

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BO triplex ONE FUNKY MOTHER...

SHUT YO’ MOUTH! With a humorous persona, relaxingly positive aura and some funky, body tingling bass guitar playing, Bo Triplex can awaken the groove inside you that reminds you what good music is all about.

CopyWrite was invited to the “High House” (Bo’s residence) to have a chat about the man behind the bass. The casual setting was fitting, we sat in a room with dim lights while Rotary Connection was playing. Fellow NAN member Lorde Freddee and designer Ryan Butts also sat by, listening to the music and conversing about whatever: simply living.

After maneuvering around for a few minutes, three ½ full blown conversations and a music change to Erykah Badu, Bo says, “I’m ready now.”

We informed him that the interview had started when we walked in the door, but with his comfort level so chill, nobody really had noticed.

CW: “Bo! Bo Triplex! That’s some name. Where did that come from anyways?”

Bo: “I used to have a box cut, so when I first started out rapping and stuff my name was Box with three X’s (Boxxx).”

Though he no longer raps or rocks the box cut, the name stuck. He informed us that he would always have to explain it. Like it’s B-O triple X. The B-O got reduced to Bo and the triple X became one word.

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Nowadays, Bo plays “bass and funk music people can dance to.”

His skills are in high demand. As a member of multiple bands he gets to vibe out with a variety of artists and enjoy spreading his music. As of late in “higher profile,” Bo has been playing with New Age Narcissism, also known as NAN. Bo: “Over the course of being in multiple bands I’ve grown to understand that my energy during a performance is vital to any good performance. Like when I look at anybody perform it’s missing something...and that something is just me. I feel like I gotta go perform my shit. So I wrote some songs and went on stage. I’m good at those things.”

CW: “Are you self proclaimed ‘good’ at these things or do other people say like ‘yeah Bo you’re the bomb at this’?

Bo: “A little of both.”

He shrugged his blunt confidence off to his slight intoxication.

But being in his natural environment, we could peep his statement for face value. He knows he’s good.

From the background Ryan chimed in: “I mean, everything you have been apart of in the last two years, have been up there, or like in Milwaukee’s Best. So that must mean something.”

Bo: “Yeah, thats exactly how I feel.”

CW: “So he has a point?”

Ryan: “Arguably.”

Bo: “I think I’m good because I practice a lot. Other people see that and tell me I’m good or I did a good job. Other people, even the ones I would think would say I did good; don’t. But most people, most do.”

CW: “So you have been in a lot of bands, why not just one?”

Bo: “It’s hard to make good music with bad people.”

He explained the dynamics of the bands he had been in, mentioning “The Saluted”, where he made Punk music in high school and “Kane Place Record Club” around college. He expressed how life can change things and once they stopped making music or predicaments altered, things faded while the pressure of others seemed to put a stigma on the music.

Bo: “We were not trying to do what everybody expected from us once they heard our music. They would be like ‘wow this is great and expect us to do more sweet stuff, because we had did some sweet stuff like perform at SXSW, SummerFest...we opened for Juicy J. I mean these are some of the reasons people think I’m cool or great. But I really just wanted to make good music and they just wanted to put us in front of a lot of people. That was never our intentions.”

CW: “What’s the big thing? What’s the place that 20 years from now you’d be like I’m so proud I played here?

Bo: “I think I would want to play Madison Square Garden. I have never seen a show there or a recording of any shows there but when anyone says huge event it’s like they selling out Madison Square Garden is the thing.”

Playing with NAN might just bring him one step closer to his Madison Square Garden goals. Bo mentioned that about a year back the true plot on the collaboration had started with a bunch of the members (then solo artists) having a discussion on changes and moves they wanted to make, Bo was one of them.

Now that things have become more accessible, the pieces are coming together. Looking back at the drawing board, a bass player was needed in the mix and Bo Triplex was just that guy.

Bo: “I love playing with NAN and being in such a collaborative umbrella that understands what we need to do and what we can do.” But he makes it very clear beyond NAN, Bo Triplex has his own band. He is a band leader, and he makes his own music.

“ I want to use my music to make people dance, have a good time and also send a message.

This “Message,” we didn’t see coming.

Bo: “...when you have an audience you also have the ability to convey a message. I recently have been enthralled with the problem of gun violence in Milwaukee, domestic abuse in the home and interpersonal relationships that can be built with the audience.”

CW: “So it’s more than music, it’s knowledge.”

Bo: “Yes, it’s more than music, it’s knowledge and an opportunity.

I dont have the knowledge yet...I’m actually starting a campaign to speak with kids in the community at different youth centers, talking about, talking about what they’re about with who they are around. So my goals are going to be encourage conversation between you and your friends about what happens in your personal life. Things you might not be comfortable telling the police, or with a counselor at school or even with the homies on the block because they don’t understand what you’re saying and they judge you automatically. I want people to understand that (even though some people won’t understand you) somethings need to be discussed. After I hear those stories, I will be able to make music that incorporates that.”

CW: “You want to do a lot.”

Bo: “Emmhmm, because if you’re going to do it, you have to do it all. I been told that by my Pop’s a lot. Like he would say, ‘If you’re going to do this music thing you got to do it.’ Like when I chose to stop going to school...when I chose to move to Chicago. When I didn’t have a real life job for a little bit, when I decide to play bass. I ended up with a little more then I would of if I had just stayed in school. So now everytime I come back and talk to him, he is a little more proud of me. So I think I’m doing a good job.”

When Bo was in school he studied Music Education. However the style of teaching did not suit his needs as a musician, so his degree dreams and himself parted ways.

Bo: “I didnt want to go through the first two years of college to get to the last two years. So I just went through two years of life to get to the next phases.” He also inferred that the people he had been in school with who had completed their four year degree, play in the same clubs he has. “I walk in and somebody will hand me a bass and say lets play that one thing how we used to or whatever.”

CW: “So you don’t need college for what you want to do?”

Bo: “Yet. I dont need it yet.”

For the fun of it, Bo Triplex gave us his 20 year timeline without having to procure a degree starting now at the ripe age of 24: NOW: • “Things are sweet as fuck” • Getting mad gigs.

NEXT YEAR: • Doing a lot of music and living off of it • Travel, Network, move around alot • Make music with the friends he has all over the country NEXT 5 YEARS: • Play bigger shows • Get on TV • Make a communal home to deliver the “message”

CW: “You don’t need it yet, but do you think you will?”

Bo: “I might. Paper is important.”

CW: “So how does that make you feel that you’re in a society, though you have the gifts, talent, and the skill, the paper still might mean more?”

Bo: “It’s all the same. As long as you take the opportunity when it’s given to you you’re going to make the best out of life.

Everybody has the opportunity to go to school. I think if you’re really about that piece of paper you’re going to make it happen.

No matter...Ok, I’m not going to say no matter but there are very few situations where you can’t rise up through poverty, depression, sickness, and restrictions in any kind of form to achieve the goal you want to achieve. I mean there are certain things you have to do to be what you want to be. Like you have to go to school for dentistry and things like that. It’s just one of those things.”

5 MORE YEARS: • “ I hope I need an accountant, or manager. I want labels and people to move my music.”

LAST 5 YEARS TO ROUND UP TO 20: • “ I hope to be making enough money that I won’t have to do it all the time.”

• Performing shows that are like art pieces • Paying moms bills • Living where he wants • “ At that time I will be around the people I NEED to be around.”

We will be standing by to see how it all pans out.

CW: “At the end of it all is there anything you really want people to know?”

“ Bo Triplex is a funky motherfucker through and through. I’m passionate about changing people’s awareness of their mindset and through conversation and music...knowing yourself is the first step in showing yourself.

Me and the band are getting in the studio soon.

And you should all go listen to my brother’s music (members of NAN) & that includes Siren.”

We laughed as we picked his brain on his top three favorite artist, where he could only give us a list of 15 and he randomly pointed out how he swept the house for our arrival.

And just like clockwork, once again Rotary Connection filled the room and Bo was comfortable in his zone.

27

QURON P A Y N E W H O ’ S

T H A T ?

Smiling big. Smiling hard. Smiling bright, 22-year-old Milwaukee native, Quron Payne, is living life without a care and loving it. But who is Quron? Usually our readers have been previously introduced to our featured artist, but Quron isn’t that guy.

Here we give you a formal (but informal because we dont do formal lol) introduction to somebody Twitter-verified, thesource.com featured, and who’s video played on MTV. Ya’ didn’t even know it!

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CW: “So Music?”

QP: “Music. That’s it.”

CW: “Why?” QP: “In all honesty it’s because it’s the way to reach the most people. If you have something to say…

A guy at the table next to us overheard our conversation and asked, “You’re in the marine corp?” When Quron responded, yes, he shook his hand, said some military term and called him brother. Just like a shake up on the street with others of familiar status. The connection was apparent.

CW: “Do you have a fanbase?” This is a question we already knew the answer to but there is a method to our madness. Quron actually has an extensive fan base with avid followers around the country. They tweet him like crazy and even rock shirts with his face and name on it.

Quron, or Sergeant Payne that is, suggest his mean approach is necessary in what he does. He mentioned that at his status he holds responsibility for the young Marines that come through. The harsh exterior he feels builds character and responsibility. But why join up if he wanted to be a rapper?

QP: “I do.”

CW: “How did you get that?”

QP: “Not being scared to suck at first I guess. Like the first video I put up got 25 views. That could be discouraging to people, but I’m like that’s 25 people I didn’t have yesterday. So i just kept rolling with that. So when that happened that motivated me, like ‘Ohhh 25 people, I wonder how I can get more...and the challenge of it, a lot of people say ‘you can’t do it. It’s too hard’. BLAH!”

QP: “The Challenge...and they had something to offer. Which was discipline, perseverance and just the work ethic only the greatest fighting force could have instilled.” *Shameless Plug*

He laughed and smiled unphased by the possibility of failure that others recognize the music industry for. He could have picked any other outlet, but even with the risk factor, music is his fix.

QP: “It was an outlet for me when I was younger, it really was. I mean I grew up in a typical Black household, parents not together I guess…”. We all laughed at the unfortunate reality of his words. ‘Typical’ is an understatement. “Just like any other hip-hop (artist) or rapper, my father was in and out of jail and my step mom raised me. So music was my way of getting away from reality I guess.”

With nine brothers and sisters, divided parental structure and as always the social dynamics of his surroundings the foundation was set.

CW: “So how did you get here? How did you get to the point where you’re performing?”

QP: “Umm, funny story after I graduated from Riverside (University High school), I went to the United States Marine Corp… I spent four years in...and still am in as of right now.”

He showed us his government issued military ID. The juxtaposition between rapper and marine, not common at all.

CW: “You couldn’t smile or nothing huh?”

QP: “Oh no! Quron Payne is different from Sergeant Payne. Yeah, they are definitely different people.”

CW: “Really? How do you figure?”

QP: “Sergeant Payne is mean. Quron Payne is not. But it’s all because of the Marine Corp, I have to do them proud.”

We might add, though those are excellent traits to develop, the pay is not too bad either.

CW: “Does your experience there, reflect in your music?”

QP: “I don’t believe so. I kind of kept them separate for so long until now. Now they are starting to merge because I have to go on leave to do tours and stuff.”

We questioned if living “dual lives” affected his studio time, knowing that the music craft is a demanding lover.

QP: “No, because I’m not the nail anymore. I’m the hammer. So I get to make my own time.”

Payne suggest that most of his time spent in the civilian sector, is music related. Preferring pen and paper to those of digital memory, he usually will sit down with a beat from Superstar-O (@SuperStarO) or Gummy Beatz (@GummyBeatz), find a sound that catches his fancy and then writes.

CW: “Do you have a message you’re trying to put out here?”

QP: “Right now it’s a secret, but yes I do.”

CW: “Well when will we hear this secret message?”

QP: “When I get to a point where I want it to be (heard).

‘Cause I think there is a message that needs to be said, that everyone is scared to say. So right now if you listen closely (to his music), I’m slowly getting to it. It’s slowly getting there about love, and soul searching and personal life...about understanding yourself before you do anything else in the world. Without knowing yourself everything else won’t be in perspective...It’s like calling a spade a spade. I think people are just a little too politically correct sometimes...sometimes.

CW: “So you have to work your way up to it.”

QP: “Not necessarily work up to it but I do want there to be someone there to listen to what I have to say for when I do say it, on a grand scale.”

CW: “So not just the first 25 people huh?”

QP: He laughed. “Yeah not just the first 25. Not saying they are not worthy but I’m trying to change lives. That’s the point.”

Though we did mention Quron is a Milwaukee Native, his time spent here nowadays is limited. In fact, we caught our chat the day before he jetted back off to some other business.

CW: “So where is home now?”

QP: “By definition I’m a rolling stone, I guess. I leave North Carolina, October as my ending act of service. Then November, I go to Europe, for the UK tour, the west coast in December and then January I go on the southwest tour. So I won’t necessarily have a stationary home but I did just put in a bid for a home in Denver Colorado. That’s where I want to call home.

CW: “Why Denver?”

QP: “The vibe. I think it’s the only place I have ever been where I don’t have to feel Black...and that’s it. You have to be Black to understand that.

CW: “Like you don’t feel, like a color?”

QP: “Exactly. I feel like I’m on the same scale as everybody else there. I feel like if I was to get tried by their jury, it would be fair.”

Here is the moment where CopyWrite would go on a rant about the social inequalities of the world. But this is Quron’s interview and it’s the relaunch issue. Ya’ll not ready for that fire, we’ll wait.

CW: “You’re doing all these things, like going on tour and stuff. How did you get the ability to do that.”

QP: “With the perseverance of failing. Like knowing how to talk to people. Like people don’t understand you can send an email professionally, which once again the Marine Corp taught me. I didn’t know how to do that in high school. So I was like 17, making songs and then someone was like we like your song, so then I sent it to Def Jam. They were like we like it too. I was geeked, like cool no middle man. But I have learned how to speak on a professional corporate level.”

He does this now with help from a manager and his business-like executions.

CW: “Are you signed?”

QP: “I am not. I have turned down a few offers.”

CW: “What? From who?”

QP: “I haven’t turned down, but right now Def Jam is on hold.

I just got an email from Interscope this morning, because yesterday I got verified on Twitter, so that was kind of cool. So I’m just holding off. There are some other smaller labels (that have had interest) that are not on that global scale, so yeah!”

CW: “So do you want global scale or do you want small?”

QP: “...I think If you just go all out at first there will be nothing you have to fall back on. Let’s say if they don’t want to play your next single; you’re done. But if you can network with each and every DJ, and you can help a man out on your way up, you will be more likely to float. Like I’m in no rush; I’m comfortable.

So I do want to be on a global scale, but not if that means passing up the little people who can solidify my career.”

Quron claims to be old school when it comes to his music distribution, using Youtube as his source of streaming and takes any other sources where someone can post or drops the link as free publicity.

CW: “What’s your favorite song?”

QP: “One I haven’t released yet, called...’You’re a Star’. Coaxed to give us a release date on the spot, he said September 15? Has it dropped yet? (This article is not do to drop till about week later lol) CW: “Why Sept. 15?”

QP: “I don’t really plan much, but everything I do seems to work out, so when I just said it, I’m like ‘Yeah that’s it. Let’s do it.”

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“I believe in a creator and I believe in fate. I think that everything is destiny.”

‘You’re A Star’ is the single of three songs he plans to drop before the UK tour that will correspond with the album he may drop sometime in January.

QP: “I don’t plan too much. It all just happens. Planning takes the fun out of it.” He said with a big smile.

CW: “So where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?”

He Shrugged.

CW: “You don’t know because you don’t plan, right?”

QP: “I dont plan that far ahead. I believe in a creator and I believe in fate. I think that everything is destiny. Things are predetermined so I try not to worry about it. Just because I don’t plan does not mean I dont have the best assets to get there.”

Everything seems to fall into place because he puts himself in a reachable position. He also claims to be making money off his music, owning all his song rights. Every click, purchase and stream on iTunes, Spotify, Xbox live and Shazam goes straight to Quron, without the cut of a middle man. We wondered how he developed such success, when there are many trying to do the same thing.

QP: “Actually everything you want to know, and I tell artist this but they think I’m bullshitting, just Google it. That’s what I did.

Nobody told me anything. I didn’t have a DJ to help me or a mentor to guide me. De’Leon wasn’t always my manager. I had to figure out exactly what I wanted and go from there.”

Quron asked the director how much it would cost for him to do the video. He gave him a quote of $5,000.

QP: “I was like what? I don’t have 5K right now but I probably could save it. Three months later, I had saved 5K.” CW: “Wait, you saved 5K in three months and you let this man do your video for 5K?” QP: “Look at it! Never Want To See You Cry, that’s it.”

CW: “Why him? Why not go to someone with the same quality that would have charged you less?”

QP: “Because they weren’t on MTV and that’s where I wanted to see myself...I knew whatever he had that’s what they wanted and I wanted THAT.” October 2013, Quron Payne’s video was played on MTV the same one directed by Payne Lindsey. His plan had worked.

CW: “You know nobody here (in MKE) knows any of this.”

QP: “That’s crazy. I guess a lot of people don’t…”

We questioned how it makes him feel to be from a place, where nobody knows you’re making moves. His response was twosided, suggesting some have the idea but don’t give him his credit. Mentioning a few local talents he knows, which proving he is not too out the loop. He does happily rep Milwaukee no questions asked, even with his verified twitter account bio saying “Milwaukee Born and Raised.” With a high interest in building a fanbase in his hometown and here’s a start.

The idea seems so blatant, but it’s true. Most contact information and resources can be found on a simple internet search but it’s the extent of making those contacts that seem so hard to do.

As we wind down our interview with possibly the most positive being that is Quron. We discussed a reachable million dollar cash flow, his feature on the source.com for his song FAME, defining success, an EP drop January/ Febuary (unplanned) and friendships with stars like August Alsina.

QP: “So lets say I wanted a song, I knew how to make a song. I bought recording equipment for my room. Haha, that’s when I got those 25 views. It was great to me. A lot of people didn’t see it then but that was a start.”

CW: “Is there anything else you want people to know?”

QP: “I do it for the kids, hahaha.” (How cliche.)

Well now we all have been introduced. /CW

After making four songs he realized that he couldn’t do anything else so he decided to take it to the next step and make a video.

QP: “So I was like, I need a video, I’m going to get a video.

I was looking on MTV Jams, and this one guys name kept popping up, Payne Lindsey (who is August Alsina’s video director). I was like, I’m going to figure out who he is so I googled him, found his contact and emailed him.”

P R O U D PA R T N E R O F

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