Rusty Ps

It has been a decade since the Rusty Ps (formerly known as the Rusty Pelicans) emerged into the Milwaukee hip hop scene. They took the stage for the first time at the Globe East as teenagers in 1995 with little more than a mix tape and a microphone. 
Ten years later, the Globe East is no more, but the Ps, with an impressive resume that includes opening shows for Run DMC, The Pharcyde, Eminem, Ludacris, Black Eyed Peas, The Roots, DJ Shadow, and Atmosphere, have become a Milwaukee music staple.
Athought it’s been nearly three years since the Ps released “One,” their last full-length album, the group has been anything but stagnant. The trio – comprising emcees Count Classic (aka Isa Ortiz) and Phantom Channel (aka Adam Haupt), producer S Watson (aka Chuck Watson) and DJ Madhatter (aka Jordan Lee) -- have been playing live shows, releasing singles and writing material for a series of new discs to be released within the next year. The first album to surface, “Rusty Ps vs. Milwaukee”.
Feeding off the incredible energy of Milwaukee’s underground music scene, the new album is a compilation of sorts, gathering cross section of Milwaukee musicians, all of whom the Ps have previously worked with and respect, into the studio to create music together.
“Originally, we were going to call it ‘Rusty Ps Verses Milwaukee’ instead of ‘Versus,’” says Madhatter. “Not in the sense of battling each other, but more to emphasize the idea of coming together in verse.” The album, says Phantom Channel, is “music inspired, motivated and created by the City of Milwaukee. We called upon quite a few friends and fellow musicians to help manifest our idea of capturing the essence of the Rusty Ps and Milwaukee."
The CD includes collaborations with other established DJs and emcees such as J. Todd, Kid Millions, Kid Cut Up and Black Elephant, but doesn’t limit itself to that genre. It also features music by punk outfit The Mistreaters, alternative group Recycled Future and down tempo electro band The Silence.
“Texturally, this is more diverse than any other Rusty Ps album,” says Madhatter. “It’s exciting to be able to showcase our style in so many different ways.
The Rusty Ps say that this project is reflexive of how Milwaukee’s underground scene works. “It not rare for us to play with a punk band,” says Madhatter. “We all have to work together. We don’t have too much to hold on to, so we hold on to each other.”
- On Milwaukee.Com

The Rusty Ps’ new album, The Rusty Ps vs. Milwaukee, is a compilation of songs each featuring different local DJs, bands, emcees and producers. Given the importance of this album as a collaborative representation of Milwaukee musicians, it could not have been more appropriately done by anyone other than our city’s very own, the Rusty Ps. They’ve been absent from the recording scene for a long three years, but with this and another project soon to be released, the Rusty Ps are set to continue on their journey as local hip-hop standouts.

The Rusty Ps Vs. Milwaukee presents a variety of sounds, some new and some true to the traditional Ps style. Track one, “The Return,” featuring the current members, Count Classic, Phantom Channel, Mad Hatter and S. Watson, rhyming with past members, Dana Coppa and One Self, truly reflects what has kept the former Rusty Pelicans strong for more than a decade. Dana Coppa’s unique vocal variation stands out on “Made in Milwaukee/Love right where I am” and leads the listener to wonder where he’s been since his Rusty Pelicans days, as his voice carries the track.

The Cash Bishop-produced beat on “Rock That” is a different sound for the Ps, drum and bass heavy. The precision in production and the ability of the experienced emcees to adapt their voices allow it to be counted as the most successful collaborative piece on the album. Track three, featuring Kid Millions, also does extremely well with a laid-back jazz beat complementing Count Classic’s vocals.

Their turns with the rock bands the Silence, the Mistreaters and Recycled Future are interesting in the challenge it presents to the group, but do more to remind the listener of what the Ps have built their following on: quality hip-hop and S. Watson’s traditional beat production. The album also features members of the Big Hit Unit, Black Elephant, Kid Cut Up, Adebisi, J Slim and D On.

The Rusty Ps celebrate their CD Release at Mad Planet, Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 p.m., with Cash Bishop, the Mistreaters, the Silence and the Tropics/Recycled Future.
—Sarah Marine - Shepherd Express

Rusty Ps
By: Adebisi Agoro

It seems every emcee, or group in hip-hop today are following trends and becoming labels. Not the Rusty P’s though, they are more so defining “time” as they reenergize themselves throughout their galactic journey through the hip-hop universe.



Sometimes we all need to get “Funk’d Up”. And just in case you haven’t heard, the “Rusty P’s” are the word for just that. Since 1998 the Rusty Pelicans have been delivering a heavy dose of hip-hop across the globe. The Rusty P’s consist of Count Classic, Phantom Channel, DJ Madhatter, and S. Watson. One could describe their style as a throwback to hip-hop for the common man. With a sound reminiscent to that early nineties cool, conscious, smooth, boom-bastic, classic, bump-in-the-trunk type hip-hop music that didn’t necessarily cater to the ego; but to the mind, body, and soul.

It seems every emcee, or group in hip-hop today are following trends and becoming labels. Not the Rusty P’s though, they are more so defining “time” as they reenergize themselves throughout their galactic journey through the hip-hop universe. Opening up for acts such as Eminem, Ludacris, The Roots, BEP, Atmosphere, Run DMC, and Slick Rick the P’s have definitely defined a style and stage show that has provided them with the tools to blow!
- Ya'Heard Magazine