Milwaukee hip-hop is experiencing a renaissance. Almost 20 years after Coo Coo Cal put the city on the charts, an undeniable wave of new talent is bringing attention back to Milwaukee. Homegrown rappers like IshDARR, WebsterX, Milo, and countless others are collectively helping to usher in an exciting new era of local hip-hop. Possibly even more encouraging than the work this hungry crop of artists has managed of late is the growing pool of young rappers helping to bolster the future.
Not even counting IshDARR (who’s not far removed from turning 21), the scene is bursting with beyond-their-years talents, like teenage phenom Kane and the latest high schooler to make her voice known, Shaddye. Nebiyah “Shaddye” Jordan is just 16 years old. Yesterday, the unknown rapper, producer, and poet released her debut EP, My Life In A Boom Box.
Thanks to support from COA Youth & Family Centers, Milwaukee Public Schools, Partnership For Arts And Humanities, and some executive production assistance from New Age Narcissism’s own Q The Sun, Shaddye was given a platform to record and release her impressive debut. The five-song EP is an awesome introduction to the self-described “Prophetess Almighty,” which highlights her mature lyrical abilities, her promising production prowess, and an overriding aura of optimism that shines through in the bouncy “Vendetta” and the infectiously positive “Sincerely Youth.”
Do yourself a favor and get in on the ground floor by listening to My Life In A Boombox now. Something tells us you’re going to be hearing a lot more from Shaddye soon.