Maz G & AyooLii - “Pimpin My Spenders” [prod. AyooLii]

It’s hard to comprehend how some people can still be sleeping on this city. Aside from xaviersobased, I can’t think of anyone else who is propelling the rap game into the future as intensively and comprehensively as Maz G and AyooLii. In a genre so saturated with biters and imitators, these two brudders have been paving a whole ass lane themselves, continuously building on their own distinctive sound(s) and further establishing themselves as two of the most exciting rappers out of Milwaukee.

be3e - “up in the world” [prod. auntie]

When I saw be3e dropped a collab with auntie there was no question it was going to be a banger. Not a lot of rappers have what it takes to tackle a footwork beat, but be3e flows effortlessly. Check out the full version on streaming to hear be3e croon over a slowed version of the same beat in the second half. Beautiful music.

Gucco - “Every Other Girl (feat. Ef Ay) [prod. Gucco]

Gucco has come a long way since “Tipping Cars.” That low-end-infused Snow Patrol rip was one of the most fun songs of 2024, but it sounds like a rough, novelty track compared to his latest project. The self-produced Sophomore Forever is a continuation of Gucco’s emo-meets-rap vision—this time leaning more towards Astroworld-style arena trap than Milwaukee low-end. The rattling bassline sounds like blasting off in 1981 Delorean with a shaky flux capacitor. Combined with the rocking guitars and a guest verse from Ef Ay, it’s hard not to keep running this one back again and again.

Gucco - “Dunkel” [prod. Gucco]

I don’t usually post two songs from the same project, but I had to make an exception here. The album-ending ballad “Dunkel” is radically different than “Every Other Girl.” Over a Cowgirl Clue-type techno-country beat, Gucco laments the loss of his childhood dog. This is the best rap tribute to man’s best friend since Tierra Whack’s regrettably short “Pet Cemetery.” RIP Dunkel.

Lightris & Sero - “Bronny James”

It was awesome seeing “Kwik Trip” blow up last month, even earning Sero and Lightris a coveted Milwaukee Public Library collab. But the supremely based glo(w)-end™ duo are no one-hit wonders—especially not with Run Along Forever behind them. With all the fucked up shit going on in the world today, “Bronny James” feels more like an antidote than just a distraction. It is very good for your soul to listen to this music—especially the crazy ass vocal breakdown after Sero’s verse.

FIVE MORE IN ROTATION

Daark - “Sláinte” [prod. iBn Farmacia]

Naz Turnt - “Dream Big”

Lil Juani - “nbs”

AyooLii - “Let It All Out”

Lightris and Sero - “Bring It Back Up”

BONUS: SNIPPET-OF-THE-MONTH

Lil Sinn - “FR!ENDZ”

@thereal_lilsinn

@thereal_lilsinn on Instagram: "❌FR!ENDZ❌🕷️"

Milwaukee’s snippet king drops yet another banger of a clip—this time over a Whodini classic. Hopefully I don’t wind up praying for him to drop this one as long as I’ve been begging for him to drop the Alanis Morissette shit I got a chance to hear a couple years back. If you’re reading Lil Sinn: PLEASE RELEASE THESE BANGERS!

BONUS: DIGGING IN THE MILWAUKEE CRATES

Munch Lauren - “Hot Boy Munch” [2011]

Munch Lauren presents the Cream City’s answer to The Pack with this heavily bas(s)ed, proto-low-end Milwaukee slapper. A frantic mélange of sounds and styles that all fold together flawlessly, “Hot Boy Munch” has to be a top contender for the stupidest, most swagged-out track in Wisconsin history.

SWAGGY - “Look Left” [prod. Sunny Lou]

I’ve never heard of Swaggy, but of course Sunny Lou doesn’t miss. Low-end meets piano house? A winning formula whatever it is. Sunshine-infused new year’s resolution music. Swaggy’s definitely got a bright future.

Mula Mar - “Bad” [prod. almighty aczavier]

Mari Boy Mula Mar tackles a Thot Breaker type beat. Of course, it’s spectacular.

RichieWitDaHitz - “Fully”

One of the greatest Milwaukee rap producers of all time has largely stayed out of the limelight since his legendary run with fellow producer MeloDroppin30 and the late, great Big Wan (RIP). But word on the street is keyboard virtuoso RichieWitDaHitz is now truly back on his bullshit—even reuniting with MeloDroppin30! Not to mention getting back in the studio with Certified Trapper. Really, this is the best Milwaukee rap news in a hot minute. Even though I ended up stuck home sick with the flu, “Fully” was my New Year’s Eve anthem. Cleansing. A fresh start. Endless potential.

DJ Megadon - “Clark Kent” [prod. tommy electra]

I wanted so badly to put this on my 2025 year-end list, but my loose one-song-per-artist policy meant I had to go with the big banger “Do It Mega.” Anyway, DJ Megadon dropped this loosie last year and I’m stoked to report it finally got the video treatment it deserves last week. Hoping for more Megadon on tommy beats in 2026.

AyooLii & Renzo - “Pharmacy” [prod. ThatGuyEli]

IMO this bassline is idiotically good. Brilliant even.

Lil Sinn - “Bamathon” [prod. Treezy2Times]

Treezy2Times chops the hell out of a classic country rap crossover sped way up. One of the most ridiculous samples I’ve ever heard. Perfect for Lil Sinn, of course.

Court Loww - “Flow State”

I’m constantly confused why this guy doesn’t get more love. Court Loww has so many styles and such a crazy ear for beats. Most slept-on Milwaukee rapper going into 2026.

AyooLii & Maz G - “Cut My Dreads Burn My Clothes” [prod. AyooLii]

The best duo in rap right now continues a crazy run of instant classics, from “Pau Gasol” to “Where Da Baba At” to “RP10PFiends.” “Cut My Dreads” finds the two brothers rapping triumphantly over one of the cleanest ChickenBoyz-type-beats yet.

A FEW FROM ELSEWHERE

Sleez - “Bandland (feat. Polo perks)” [Houston, TX]

Sleez is from Houston, but has been flirting with the Milwaukee sound for a while, even dropping an album with Tommy Electra last year. Featuring an introspective, extraterrestrial beat from Wisconsin’s own BKWDS and a top-tier guest verse from frequent Milwaukee collaborator Polo Perks, “Bandland” is by far my most-listened-to non-Milwaukee rap song of the month.

Lightris and sero - “Kwik Trip” [St. Paul, MN]

I’ve been seeing this dude Lightris dance his ass off to Milwaukee rap music on IG for a while now, but finally found out he’s a musician in his own right. “Kwik Trip” combines the spacey expressionism of bladee w/ the beaming positivity of Sicko Mobb—all over a glistening low-end beat. Unsurprisingly, Lightris’ music is as carefree and spiritually uplifting as his dance moves. Based in the classical sense.

Check out his Soundcloud for more beautiful music: “100 Followers” is a heartfelt hyperpop ‘thank you’ to his first 100 followers—that was just a month ago; now he has closer to 1,400. “Comfort Inn” is a moving ambient ballad.

Slimepayn - “Love” and “Hate” [???]

No words. You just gotta listen. Slimepayn is the cutting edge.

DIGGING IN THE MILWAUKEE CRATES

54 Baby Trey & Mari Boy Mula Mar - “Noon” [2019, prod. Tay Love]

This was the era when I started getting really into the Milwaukee scene. How could I not with rappers like 54 Baby Trey and Mari Boy Mula Mar? Two rappers with very different styles, but Tay Love pulls it all together into a certified Milwaukee classic.

JSmoov - “Line Slappin” [2017, prod. Devito Beatz]

Anybody know what happened to this guy? Apparently best known for the “Neck Em” dance, JSmoove had a whole string of big-time bangers back in the day. But my favorite has always been “Line Slappin.” What is that sample?? Help me out.

Bless Team Big C - “32 Bars” [2016, prod. Ink & Drums]

My brain generally seems hardwired to pay attention to the beat first. But every once in a while, a uniquely compelling rapper like Big C commands my attention to the point where I can’t help but bring the song back immediately and key in on the lyrics: 30 in the glock look like a Wii controller / use extra soda just to meet the quota / phone got hoes in it like South Dakota / bitch, we ain’t done ballin ‘til the game over / conversations at Carson’s, codeine on the table / and I don’t drink that shit that come with no label / shooter put a whole in a n***** like a bagel / stretch the dope out like a Winnebago…

LINK: BEST MILWAUKEE RAP 2025 POW RADIO MIX

TRACKLIST

0:00:00 - “Where Da Baba At” - AyooLii & Maz G
0:01:39 - “Blood on My Shoes” - Certified Trapper
0:03:32 - “Golden Bihh” - AyooLii
0:04:38 - “Milwaukee’s Baddest” – Gabrielle Lucas
0:06:30 - “Up to Something” – 1oneam
0:08:20 - “Matt and Jeff Hardy” – TTG Rio
0:10:18 - “Trouble” – Tombo
0:12:08 - “Buff” – Renzo
0:13:22 - “Back at it” – Tommy Electra ft. Marlo, Tombo
0:16:08 - “Tf” – Lonni Monae
0:17:26 - “With a Side of Balls” - Mr. Neel
0:18:56 - “Please God Help Me” - _+_be3e_+_ ft. bdwthr
0:21:34 - “Leans Gone Cold” - Lil Sinn
0:24:00 - “Phony” - Toolay!
0:25:35 - “Skate More” - Keav ft. Ef Ay
0:28:38 - “Bookworm” - Lil Joe
0:31:00 - “Save You” - Mula Mar
0:33:20 - “Tear It Down” - Lil Tre
0:34:50 - “Over” - Court Loww
0:36:26 - “Treated You” - Lake
0:37:42 - “Conference Call” - Big Steff, Chicken P & Mula Mar
0:39:36 - “No Missin” - Court Loww
0:41:20 - “Really Lit” - Mula Mar
0:44:28 - “Spirit Agent” - SME TaxFree
0:46:38 - “Hands Up” - Lee Lo
0:47:45 - “Heads” – MarijuanaXO
0:49:54 - “Migraine” – AyooLii
0:51:30 - “Bouncen” - Spaidez & Maz G
0:53:20 - “Architect” - Certified Trapper
0:54:20 - “No Sleep” – Daark
0:55:06 - “Coming Into Work Early (Nola Bounce Mix)” - MKE Neely
0:57:00 - “Alma Mater” - Tombo & MKE Neely 0:59:04 - “Touch a G” - Toolay!
1:00:32 - “Doggybone” – Hezzoo
1:01:44 - “Anotha Mo” – AyooLIi
1:02:50 - “Let Boys Be Boys” - julien avery
1:05:15 - “Pau Gasol” - AyooLii & Maz G
1:06:40 - “Slowdown” – ThatGuyEli
1:08:30 - “There It Is” - 414bigfrank, Sunny Lou, RunAlongForever
1:09:48 - “Throw It Back” - AyooLii & Maz G, Zay Crow
1:10:51 - “On the Radar Freestyle” – EricWithTheGlockInHisSock & Treyoo babyy
1:13:00 - “Other Shit” - Mula Mar
1:15:20 - “Cash App” – Bristackz
1:16:20 - “Sometimes” - Samson2Slapped 1:17:52 - “Fairy” - MyaaP
1:20:06 - “23 Questions” - Munch Lauren
1:21:25 - “MF Phat” – Toolay
1:22:46 - “Iverson” – Shelby
1:24:12 - “Do It Mega” by DJ Megadon
1:25:45 - “Shake It” by Mike Mike & Yonaa
1:27:56 - “Eastside” by Ef Ay
1:29:20 - “Can’t Cuff a Thot” - AyooLi ft. AD Huncho
1:30:58 - “Reuters” - Lil Sinn, Sunny Lou, RunAlongForever
1:33:00 - “Cant Seem to Dream” – Slitz 1:35:45 - “In My Sleep” - Samson2slapped
1:36:34 - “Having Fun Fking up My Life” - Mike Mike
1:39:12 - “Mollyworld” – Tombo
1:41:40 - “TTG Rio” - TTG Rio
1:43:25 - “Emma Chamberlain” - Gucco and Lake
1:44:45 - “Rollin Loud” – Ayoolii
1:46:00 - “In Da Mood” - Kiya the New Idea
1:48:12 - “Ten” - MKE Neely x iBn Farmacia

Sounds like another gorgeous 80s soft rock flip from Sunny Lou. Maz G and AyooLii are the best brotherly duo in hip-hop music right now. Chemistry through the roof.

SME TaxFree - “Spirit Agent”

Yet another hit from the most consistent rapper and top beat selector in the city.

tombo - “Pinging (feat. Josh Neuwirth)”

One of many highlights off the new tombo album, ripBELLEVIEW. The album is the perfect soundtrack for autumnal creep. Burnt colors. Brisk mornings. Leaves falling, revealing bare trunks and skeletal branches. Last chances to bask in the sun.

You might know Josh Neuwirth from “Ring” off the last tombo album. Or maybe from “Trap Car” with AyooLii and “same as I left” with Polo Perks. You should probably also check out his bandcamp and catch his radio show on Thursdays.

Mariboy Mula Mar - “Really Lit”

Fully in mode Mula Mar gets high and says some shit that you can ride to.

Lil Juani & AmexNez - “Your Luv is my Coffin”

Gotta get one in for spooky season. Lil Juani and AmexNaz got some buzz a couple years back with the low-end posse cut “Natyana.” “Your Luv is my Coffin” is a completely different vibe. Emo rap-rock with an up-tempo witch-house beat.

1. Lil Sinn - “Reuters” [prod. Sunny Lou]

2. Munch Lauren - “23 Questions” [prod. MKE Neely]

3. DJ Megadon - “Do It Mega”

4. Keav & Ef Ay - “Skate More!”

5. EricWithTheGlockInHisSock & Treyoo Babyy - “On The Radar (Freestyle)”

6. Spaidez & Maz G - “Bouncen!” [prod. BEO]

7. Lake - “Overthinking” [prod. Thommy Exe]

8. Big Steff, Chicken P & Mula Mar - “Conference Call”

9. BRISTACKZ - “Cash App” [prod. Tombo]

10. YBN Kenny & Mula Mar - “Other Shit” [prod. Ray Charle$$]

11. Toolay! - “FTSIC” [prod. MKE Neely]

12. TTG Rio - “Matt & Jeff Hardy”

13. Samson2Slapped - “Procedure” [prod. mag]

14. Chicken Boys - “Where Da Baba At” [prod. Certified Trapper]

15. 414BigFrank - “There It Is” [prod. Sunny Lou]

16. AyooLii - “RACKS IN”

17. Court Loww - “No Skits”

18. Quani - “Who is him?” [prod. in-house]

19. Maz G & AyooLii - “Throw It Back”

20. MyaaP - “Fairy” [prod. christiangetbizzy]

I think Court loww is the most underrated rapper in the city. Why isn’t anyone talking about Court loww? He drops an insane amount of material (at least 3 albums, 2 EPs and countless loosies so far this year) and pretty much all of it is fire. “Need4Speed” is no exception. I can’t get enough of those triumphant horns. Think Gucci Mane “16 Fever” on speed. What are some other good horn songs? I’m blanking.

Ef ay -”Eastside” [prod. ThatGuyEli]

Crazy beat from ThatGuyEli. Dreamy. Ef ay floats right over it. Beautiful.

Lil Sinn - “Strangers" [prod. riott]

Gotta take a moment to mention the run Lil Sinn has been on lately. From “Cutter Fan” to “Ran It Up” to “Strangers,” dude has been absoulety rapping his ass off.

414BigFrank - “Take A Look” [prod. Sonny Lou]

indatrapinterview

A post shared by @indatrapinterview

Speaking of horns, how could I forget the massively viral 414BigFrank hit?? Well, it looks like there’s now a sequel (or maybe a threequel?). Are they dropping a whole tape together? Frank really seems to thrive over Sonny Lou beats, so I hope so.

LBM Lil Joe - “Hopeless” [prod. TSTREETZ]

Veteran Milwaukee gritter and spitter LBM Lil Joe on his grown man shit. Introspective bars over an elegant, drumless beat. Really good stuff.

I first heard Samson2Slapped back in 2023 on “Skatepark,” the Feardorian-produced posse cut that functioned as a sort of Milwaukee Rap Magna Carta, introducing countless AyooLii fans like me to Renzo, Maz G, Samson2Slapped and Ad Huncho.* Five of my favorite rappers; five classic verses. Milwaukee rap heads will debate for eternity who had the best bars, but there’s no question Samson (“baselining down Locust, know I’m going fast…”) made an impact.

*I’m guessing Judah chose to focus on skating, as I haven’t heard anything else from him but lemme know if I’m wrong. His verse was also legendary (“Damn, where the headies at? / WHERE THE HEADIES AT??”).

Samson2Slapped - “100 Grams/office party” [prod. julien avery]

This one dropped earlier this year. Come for Samson2Slapped rapping over a trapped-out “Tarzan Boy” sample on “100grams.” Stay for the glitched-out, industrial vibes of “office party,” which sounds kinda like evil Daft Punk. Or like an angry fax machine that gained AI and is out for revenge.

Samson2Slapped - “Procedure” [prod. mag]

“Procedure” features Samson2Slapped at his most polished, relentlessly rapping circles around a futuristic low-end beat from mag, who you may know from his other cutting-edge production on tracks like “truffle” by fakemink, Nettspend’s “shine n peace” and xaviersobased’s “pediatrician.”

Samson2Slapped - diy

Samson dropped this project about a month back and I’ve been listening nonstop. Immaculate beat selection. Cinematic production. Tight, focused raps. Cold, calculated bars. Samson is catching plays, hitting licks, pulling scams, running off on the plug, flipping antihistamines as percs, and selling you questionable weed. This is my favorite Milwaukee project of the year so far. And for fans of my July NTS mix w/ Ezra and No Bells, Samson even dropped a fast version.

BONUS TRACK

julien avery live - “LET BOYS BE BOYS”

Another deep cut—perhaps the most underrated song out of Milwaukee right now. You may know julien from his production work for Samson2Slapped. But don’t sleep on his personal Soundcloud page. A bold deconstruction of a timeless Prince classic, this lo-fi, pop ear worm has been a staple of my summer. Profoundly catchy.

You’re also gonna wanna check out his Star67Mixtape1. julien stitches together every genre in the book. Chicken P. Arthur Russell. Mac Mall. The Blue Nile. All bangers.

ONE FROM ELSEWHERE

Polo Perks - “Camp Rock”’

New York rapper Polo Perks has long been a cheerleader of the Milwaukee rap scene—he even has his own version of “Skatepark.” “Camp Rock” is a low-end banger with a 2000s Disney Channel movie sample (famously flipped on Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & Orange Juice tape). Polo Perks truly thrives when he gets in his Milwaukee bag.

Softmore - “Ready 2 Ride”

Not to be confused with the supreme Philthy Rich slapper of the same name (as made famous by the Marshawn Lynch locker room victory dance at Super Bowl XLVIII), I think I stumbled upon this mustard-core garage/edm banger on Soundcloud about a decade ago. Of course, it has since been scrubbed from the internet—that is, until I resurrected it a couple years back. The catchy vocal sample is a sped-up hook off a 2009 Lloyd Banks rap/R&B single. Imagine this giving some serious juice to my DJ Mustard playlists circa 2015. Simpler times, right? Those really were the days!

Bambino Gold & Eldorado Red - “My Religion”

This is a quintessential Zaytoven track to me. Whereas the legendary, Atlanta super-producer is most famous for his zany, trap house hits and booming, strip club bangers, “My Religion” has more of a riding dirty in the muggy Atlanta heat kinda vibe. A “country rap tune,” to use the words of the late, great Pimp C.

Eldorado Red and Bambino Gold want you to know that they’re the bad guys—Lee Van Cleef in The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. They chose fast money and earthly pleasures over eternal salvation. However, especially over a funereal, fire-and-brimstone church organ from Zaytoven, you can almost sense a degree of anxiety and paranoia layered behind their boastful confessions. A deep-seated fear of consequence, be it life in prison or eternal damnation. Spaghetti western shit.

crimedawgbylaw - “BRIMIX (VONN!/BRISTACKZ/AYOOLII)”

I put this together for and my NTS mix w/ NoBells. I like the idea of a MiniMix. With so much music out these days, it’s a simple way to capture a moment and elevate a couple two three tracks above the endlessly flowing stream of new songs. I suppose the concept is resonant of the “megamixes” you sometimes find on 80s b-sides.

Anyway, we’ve got a rich horn sample (Vonn! - “The Wake”) that I managed to stretch out over a brutal percussive assault from Nedarb (BRISTACKZ - “2054”), all chased down with with a slept-on AyooLii gem interpolating Johnny Cash (“Ring of Fire”), produced by someone named Jeff. Three great moments turned into a statement.

Ayoolii, Alpha P - Mama Said Im African & Ayoolii - Legends Never Die*MASHUP* DJ soS *0status* [by elixirvault]

As I mentioned when I dropped my ‘BEST OF AYOOLII 2023’ list, a great mini-mix like this one from elixervault is the perfect example of the whole transcending the sum of its parts. Two obscure loosies transformed into a timeless masterpiece.

Court Loww - “Beat Her Feet”

Looney Tunes™ ass track from one of Milwaukee’s most prolific rappers.

Renzo - “Buff”

Renzo takes on one of the stupidest beats of the year. Sounds like toxic sludge. Extraterrestrial ooze. Makes you grimace in disgust while Renzo talks his shit.

KEAV & Ef Ay - “Skate More”

Ef Ay channeling 2018-era Mula Mar. Real alien shit. Put your order in! Oh and don’t sleep on Ef Ay’s new project with MKE Neely. It’s fire, of course.

Bon Kurt - “Fire Grams”

Throwback from 2023 here. Bon Kurt strikes the perfect balance between gritty, low-fi lo-end and a pretty Ahmad Jamal Trio sample.

ONE FROM ELSEWHERE

Shannon - “Let The Music Play (Sliink Mix)”

I’m a huge sucker for Latin Freestyle. If you’re not, you should totally check out my old mix: LATIN FREESTYLE CLASSICS. It might be the best genre ever, especially when the sun is beating down. The only thing that could really sound better in the dog days of summer is a club remix of a Latin Freestyle classic, especially from Jersey Club GOAT DJ Slink. I guess the dog days are over, but we can still keep partying.

After a slower-than-normal year, AyooLii finally dropped another classic with Supply and Demand—perhaps his most fully-developed and well-produced project yet. Released a couple weeks later as a YouTube loosie, however, “Can’t Cuff A Thot” serves as a bold reminder of AyooLii’s endless range and refusal to be put into a box. Loud, zany, unpredictable and smattered with a heavy-handed dose of auto-tune.

Mariboy Mula Mar - “Save Her” [prod. dondajula]

Mula Mar takes on a slick, stripped-down remake of the “Captain Save-A-Ho” beat. Instant classic.

Spaidez & Maz G - “Bouncen!” [prod. BEO]

I’M CHOPPED AND I’M BOUT TO DIP MY PINKY UP IN MOLLY ROCK 🔥 🔥 🔥

Maz G and Spaidez are always at their best when they’re together. And right now I feel like “Bouncen!” is their greatest collaboration yet. I had the fortune to see them team up live at Bremen Cafe a few weeks back during the Riverwest 24—easily one of the best live Milwaukee rap performances of the summer.

Stupid Neel & Ezra - “im in milwaukee”

aka ZER0 L0AN$ aka Milwaukee/Trap/House was the DJ for the aforementioned RW24 gig and I’m so bummed I had to bike off before he was joined by Stupid Neel (of the legendary www.banglocaldads.com) for an epic performance of this absolute gem. Fortunately, the performance has been preserved for us all to enjoy on Ezra’s Instagram. Meanwhile, I’d also recommend digging further into Neel’s Bandcamp page for more anti-capitalist anthems like “city worker anthem” and “party man 2.”

ONE FROM ELSEWHERE

Woubzz & ShumKoachella - “C.A.N.G.A.B.”

Milwaukee’s low-end sound has been trickling out of the city more than ever in 2025—a sign that the city is finally about to blow? Who knows. Regardless, it’s great to see rappers from other cities getting excited about our city’s sound. For example, “Hotel" by London rapper FakeMink features the distinctive Milwaukee handclaps over a bonkers nightcore remix of Chief Keef’s “Slow Dance.” Detroit’s Pablo Skywalkin came out with an entire low-end EP. And I’m obsessed with this Flo Milli snippet over a low-end Hoobastank flip. But best of all is “C.A.N.G.A.B.”—a total summer smash from Pittsburgh’s Woubzz & ShumKoachella. As the music video implies, this soul-sampling trunk thumper is for the cookouts and the pool parties. File next to Court Loww’s “Fake Throwed” and EricWithTheGlock’s “On The Radar (Freestyle).”

STAY TUNED AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!! -crimedawgbylaw

Lake - “Treated You” [prod. Josh Neuwirth]

Between his recent solo project and the EP with Gucco, Lake seems to be on a hell of a run. Featuring an addictive combination of emo and low-end over a stunning arrangement of handclaps and Pat Methany-esque guitar noodling, “Treated You” is a definite highlight.

Munch Lauren - “23 Questions” [prod. MKE Neely]

I think my girlfriend nailed it when she said this sounds like the Milwaukee version of Seiji Oda. In that vein, I’m praying for more lo-fi low-end and gentle slap music, especially from this duo. Regardless, MKE Neely has been absolutely killing it lately—see for yourself. I totally could and should do a full Neely post. Stay tuned!

Lil Sinn - “Reuters” [prod. Sunny Lou]

Of course the song of the summer is Lil Sinn rapping his ass off over an “Every Breath You Take” sample. Lil Sinn is probably the most exciting Milwaukee rapper to me simply because he rarely releases music and when he does it’s always so high-caliber. Okay, also because he is one of the funniest and most charismatic rappers out with top-tier beat selection. While there are no duds in the discography, like 1 in every 3 songs Lil Sinn drops is a certified, five-star banger (“Leans Gone Cold,” “SRT,” “We aree young,” etc.). “Reuters” just might be his best track out, although I’ve heard leaks/snippets of an Alanis Morissette-sampling bop that might just change the whole game up. If you know Lil Sinn, please help me beg him to drop. For now, enjoy “Reuters.”

ONE FROM ELSEWHERE

Rx Papi - “Red Juicy Coture” (Rochester, NY)

Now this is a winning formula. The prodigious Rx Papi over a Jersey Club remix of DJ Nate’s 2010 footwork classic “Ima Burn Him” (itself a brilliant flip of MySpace-era sleeper-hit “Boyfriend” by Asia Cruise). While I came for the sample, I stuck around to hear a lovestruck Papi’s heartfelt lyrics about falling head over heels.

STAY TUNED AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!! -crimedawgbylaw