AyooLii, a rising rapper from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is determined to stay true to his own instincts and make a mark in his hometown. Despite receiving advice from fans online, he refuses to conform to their suggestions about using specific EQ or mixing techniques. AyooLii wants to create music that is authentic to himself, and he believes that following his own intuition is the key to his success.
One prevalent piece of advice he often hears is that he needs to leave Wisconsin to make it big in the music industry. However, AyooLii is not listening to these discouraging remarks. He firmly believes in the potential of Milwaukee and feels a deep connection to his city. He has fallen in love with the unique sound of the local music scene, particularly the lowend and trap genres. AyooLii is determined to contribute to the growth of the Milwaukee music scene and is currently mentoring aspiring artists. He also has ambitious plans to incorporate traditional clothing items like the ma’awis into his AyooLii persona, aiming to become the first Bantu rapper.
When asked about his aspirations for the future of Milwaukee, AyooLii expresses that he doesn’t necessarily want to be the biggest or the wealthiest. Instead, he wants to be a part of the city’s music scene and inspire the next generation of artists. AyooLii is amazed by the talent he sees in young artists from Milwaukee who are creating music videos using their phones and making songs using platforms like BandLab, and he’s excited to see how they’re gaining recognition.
To better understand the influence and origins of the Milwaukee music scene, a visit to the lowends is necessary. The term “lowend” refers to the area in East Milwaukee where the street numbers are the lowest on the city’s grid system. In this neighborhood, I meet rapper Steve Da Stoner, who resides with his extended family on a street filled with run-down houses, just a few blocks from a local police station. As a friendly gesture, Steve pats me down as if checking for a wire, jokingly referring to the area’s cautious nature. He then offers me his blunt, showcasing the laid-back atmosphere of the community.
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Sitting in a camping tent set up in the sideyard, Steve, in his thirties, stands out as a relatively older member of the Milwaukee music scene compared to his younger peers. One of his fellow artists, Carvie P, is actually the son of Steve’s childhood friend. Steve’s music leans more towards street rap rather than the lowend sound. In one of his lyrics, he proudly emphasizes his local roots, mentioning being raised by those who caught infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer off guard. Despite his differences in style, Steve has succeeded in gaining attention through TikTok, just like the younger artists in his city.
Pulling up his account on the music distribution platform DistroKid, Steve proudly displays his impressive stats. He has accumulated tens of millions of Spotify streams and has earned tens of thousands of dollars from his music. His current viral trend involves combining the popular TikTok dance moves from Milwaukee with a bit he borrowed from the 2003 film “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” featuring Nick Cannon. Steve’s success on TikTok gives him hope that he can create a better life for his family through his music. He is raising his brother’s children, in addition to his own four kids, as one of his brothers is currently incarcerated.
While many TikTok videos from Milwaukee are created for pure entertainment, Steve sees his content as a means to change his family’s life. He pours his heart and soul into every project, believing that if he gives one hundred percent effort, it will eventually pay off. Even if one video doesn’t go viral, he remains positive and continues creating more content, as he never knows when he might achieve success and become financially stable.
In conclusion, AyooLii and Steve Da Stoner are two artists from the Milwaukee music scene who are determined to make a name for themselves while staying true to their roots. They are unafraid to pursue their own creative instincts and work hard to achieve success. Despite the challenges they face, including skepticism from fans and the belief that leaving Milwaukee is the only way to make it big, AyooLii and Steve remain steadfast in their commitment to their city and their music. Through their perseverance and passion, they hope to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Milwaukee artists.
