Hip Hop DNA Volume 1 Displayed the Real and Diverse Milwaukee
For far too long people have used the term “this is Milwaukee” without it being true. The real Milwaukee is not only the nicer sides of the city or a few people of color in the room. The real Milwaukee is the creativity, drive and diversity that flows from the far North side to the deep trenches of the South side, and everything in between. And, just a few weeks ago, the real Milwaukee was put on display at Hip Hop DNA Volume 1.
Kiran Vedula, known as Q the Sun, created this showcase to celebrate and explore the musical history and tradition of Hip Hop culture, and its influence on American culture. Vedula brought along with him the city of Milwaukee to perform on stage at the Marcus Center. Over 20 Milwaukee musicians and dancers took stage in honor of Hip Hop, but through their own individualized styles.
Q the Sun engaged the crowd not only with live music but with dance and facts about Hip Hop. (Picture by Melissa Miller)
Vedula compared the show to being on Broadway with familiar people.
“[You got to] see the people you know in a different way,” he said.
He wanted music and dance to be the focus of the show because music is usually “part of the vibe but not the main thing.” According to Vedula, this was also a first for the Marcus Center to host this type of event.
Hip Hop DNA Volume 1 bridged together different backgrounds of people, not only on stage but in the audience. The real Milwaukee showed up in numbers to see and support a genre of music that is pushing the city to the top.
“Hip Hop needs a platform because that’s the music of this era,” said Vedula. “It influences the economy. [It needs] to be respected as a true form of art.”
Vedula is a musician and youth advocate that specializes in composition and production, live performance, and media-based mentorship. For 15 years, Vedula has been a producer and performer that works closely with artists and organizations locally and around the world.
According to the Facebook event page, Hip Hop DNA Volume 1, “illustrate[d] the evolution and interconnectedness of five decades of music and dance, while exploring the influences of African, Latin, European, and Eastern traditions.”
Deepa Devasena and her dance students perform a traditional Indian dance to Missy Elliot’s “Work It”. (Picture by Melissa Miller)
The entire show was an experience with one delightful surprise after the next. Vedula made sure that this show was inclusive. Along with breakdancing, Hip Hop dancers, there was also Indian traditional dancing. Classic beats and songs were sampled throughout the night and played live thanks to the Hip Hop DNA Band, which consisted of local favorites. As the band played beats throughout the night, Vedula dropped gems about Hip Hop.
When the band wasn’t the main focus, different artists came on stage to rap to a famous Hip Hop beat. Each artist personalized the beat they were given by rapping their own lyrics to it.
17-year-old Shaddye was of the guest vocalist during the show. She rapped to two beats, including Biggie’s “Juicy”.
Shaddye said it was an honor and privilege to have been selected to perform next to so many established artists.
“It’s amazing to know I’m good enough to be around people who’ve been around the game and are more experience,” she said. “It felt different.”
Preparing for the show was “free but scheduled,” said Shaddye. According to Shaddye, the artists influenced each other.
Shaddye said Hip Hop isn’t just what we hear on main stream radio and with this show, artists displayed other varieties of Hip Hop—it’s not just turn up.
To many of the artists, this show was more than just the music. It was a time to show what it looks like when the diversity and positivity of Milwaukee come together.
“It is possible to come together despite our differences,” Shaddye said. “There are hardworking people in Milwaukee who are trying to better the image in Milwaukee.”
Vedula plans on taking the show on the road, literally. He said there’s only so much you can do in Milwaukee, plus people around the country, and world, need to see this masterpiece. The tour is still in it’s planning phase, but will one day become a reality.
“It feels like it’s just now beginning,” said Vedula.
For more information on Hip Hop DNA Volume 1, contact Kiran Vedula.
