Has a certain genre or sub-genre ever made you feel one emotion or group of related emotions as a constant, most genres are quite diverse and can cause you to feel so many different feelings. The word ontological annoys me in the same way every word that gets the internet’s attention eventually does, because these viral words and phrases lose their meaning in record time like a game of telephone, but I do think the music that has come out of the Milwaukee WI, rap community this decade is ontologically happy, motivating art. The region is one the most important for the rap community in part because of the music’s positive nature. When I take a look at an artist like AyooLii, and I listen to his music, I can hear how much fun they’re having making these songs. I think it does help that he made skits on instagram before anyone ever told him he could turn this into music, that same comedic energy is lifted from his skits and translates perfectly into his music, but I also think it’s more than that. 

There is a focus on community in the Milwaukee scene that I don’t see in other music spaces, and not at all clique-y like many online communities can be. Where some artists love to argue over who’s biting who’s style, I think a lot of the artists out of the Milwaukee scene have actually enjoyed seeing their influence spread these past few years. Recently I’ve felt unmotivated in certain areas of life but when a Certified Trapper song from 2023 comes on, or Andele by aforementioned AyooLii- an actual perfect song by the way, I forget all about that feeling and suddenly my mood is shifted, to a more positive, if carefree mindset.

Written By Em Bishoff: x.com/emofc_