Milwaukee Rapper GQ Scotty Hopes to Bring Change to Milwaukee Through Music and Activism
GQ Scotty. (Picture by Jaylen Bounds)
Milwaukee has a vast selection of underground artists. These artists are all different in form and art, but they collectively have the same vision: to make music about our city and for our city with the hopes to inspire. One artist in particular, GQ Scotty, or Lazabia Jackson to those who know him formally, has a vision for Milwaukee.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, GQ Scotty has experienced life through the eyes of the new and older generations. Creating music that narrates these life experiences, he can relate to the commonalities of what it is to be a young Black Milwaukee native.
“I’m from Milwaukee and I've lived in all parts of the city. I feel like I am Milwaukee,” said GQ Scotty.
As an artist in the new generation, GQ Scotty underlines the importance of understanding the history of music. Each era of music holds key elements that are essential to the growth and progression in this art form. He’s had inspiration from rap legends such as Nas, early Tupac and A Tribe Called Quest, who brought about the style of afro-centric hip hop, while also being inspired by local artists such as IshDARR. But he also emphasizes the importance of education. Subjects like Black history and literature help him to create music.
“A lot of my inspiration comes from literature I’ve read. I feel like rap is the new rhetoric,” said GQ Scotty. “A Rose That Grew From The Concrete” by Tupac Shakur, “Collected Poems of Bob Kaufman” by Bob Kaufman, and “Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy” by Bryan Norden are a few books in his collection that have inspired him.
GQ Scotty is pushing for change in the City through his activism work. (Picture by GQ Melo)
Aside from rap, GQ Scotty is a student at Marquette University. As Vice President of the Black Student Council, he’s been one of many powerful forces behind the recent changes the college has put into place. Leading protests and sit-ins, demanding change and eventually getting Marquette to make pivotal changes in its inclusion of Black students. One of the most notable changes requires Marquette to award at least 40 full scholarships to low-income Black students. This is a historic feat for the entire Black Student Council, one of many to come.
GQ Scotty feels that the fight for change is not something that should only be talked about.
“I can’t just write about the struggles and not do anything outside of rap,” he said. “Best believe if I’m talking about the problem, I’m contributing to the solution. I promise for liberation and change, I refuse to just rap about it.”
Scotty also believes that there is a bright future for music in Milwaukee. He says artists like, Tru West, RJ Riddle and Red Rum are just a few of the underground artists to play a part in the exposure of Milwaukee music to the world.
“Rap is a part of Milwaukee culture, but it’s bubbled up underground and we’re just waiting to explode and show our talents to the world,” he said.
GQ Scotty said with the help of local producers like Tae The Don and resources like High Five Studios, artists have more access to guidance and tools to create music.
Currently, he has three projects that he hopes to be the soundtrack that inspires the spark in our generation.
“I want my music to be like the modern-day Griots, telling history and stories of the Black man in America,” GQ Scotty said.
His latest project F.I.E.N.D.S (Forever Indebted Endless Nights Dreaming), as well as his single “Gotham City” and his LP “Emergence” are available on all streaming platforms.