SPEAK Easy
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SPEAK Easy

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | INDIE

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2013
Band Hip Hop R&B

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"SPEAK Easy and Dana Coppafeel? Milwaukee Hip-Hop's Unlikely Duo Talk about Their Upcoming EP...and More (Part Two)"

It’s hard to think of two more opposite Milwaukee-based emcees than outspoken veteran Dana Coppafeel and low-key breakout artist SPEAK Easy. In fact, it’s their very differences that inspired Uni.Fi Records (the label that represents both rappers) to pair them up on an experimental and ambitious new project — the upcoming seven-track EP, “Uni.Fi Records Presents...Dana Coppafeel and SPEAK Easy.”

Coppa, of the recently defunct group KingHellBastard, has been a standout in the region’s underground hip-hop scene since the mid-90s. Few Milwaukee rappers have a résumé as long or as impressive as his, which includes opening for legendary artists like Wu-Tang and Common, as well as a recent collaboration with Action Bronson. Once called a loudmouth by the press, his often aggressive tone and sharp-edged wit reflect his roots as a battle rapper.

By contrast, SPEAK is a smooth, earnest storyteller known for his true-to-life lyrics and off-the-mic humility. Although he’s been rhyming for more than a decade, it was his debut as a solo artist in 2009 that earned him critical acclaim and a well-deserved spot among the area’s most talented emcees.

The almost-complete EP — which features notable collaborators like Toronto producer Frank Dukes, Minneapolis rapper MaLLy, and hometown hero Prophetic — was born from Uni.Fi owner (and contributing producer) Dima Pochtarev’s vision to push the rappers’ limits. Although stylistically different, the two have the same merciless work ethic, which may factor into why both say this has been one of the best projects they’ve worked on to-date.

This fall, I sat in on a few recording sessions with Uni.Fi and talked to the unlikely duo about the EP and their working relationship. - JS Online


"SPEAK Easy and Dana Coppafeel? Milwaukee Hip-Hop's Unlikely Duo Talk about Their Upcoming EP...and More (Part One of Two)"

It’s hard to think of two more opposite Milwaukee-based emcees than outspoken veteran Dana Coppafeel and low-key breakout artist SPEAK Easy. In fact, it’s their very differences that inspired Uni.Fi Records (the label that represents both rappers) to pair them up on an experimental and ambitious new project — the upcoming seven-track EP, “Uni.Fi Records Presents...Dana Coppafeel and SPEAK Easy."

Coppa, of the recently defunct group KingHellBastard, has been a standout in the region’s underground hip-hop scene since the mid-90s. Few Milwaukee rappers have a résumé as long or as impressive as his, which includes opening for legendary artists like Wu-Tang and Common, as well as a recent collaboration with Action Bronson. Once called a loudmouth by the press, his often aggressive tone and sharp-edged wit reflect his roots as a battle rapper.

By contrast, SPEAK is a smooth, earnest storyteller known for his true-to-life lyrics and off-the-mic humility. Although he’s been rhyming for more than a decade, it was his debut as a solo artist in 2009 that earned him critical acclaim and a well-deserved spot among the area’s most talented emcees.

The almost-complete EP — which features notable collaborators like Toronto producer Frank Dukes, Minneapolis rapper MaLLy, and hometown hero Prophetic — was born from Uni.Fi owner (and contributing producer) Dima Pochtarev’s vision to push the rappers’ limits. Although stylistically different, the two have the same merciless work ethic, which may factor into why both say this has been one of the best projects they’ve worked on to-date.

This fall, I sat in on a few recording sessions with Uni.Fi and talked to the unlikely duo about the EP and their working relationship. From there, down the rabbit hole we went... - JS Online


"Speakeasy says some stuff on his new album "Need I Say More""

The most outspoken MC in the Milwaukee hip-hop scene, Speakeasy, has blessed us with the new album, "Need I Say More" and it's free I might add. He is constantly releasing new material, but in a good way. Each release continues to get better on all aspects. His rhymes get tighter, the stories get more involved and the production fits him better, even on some non boom-bap type tracks.

"Need I Say More" follows this trend because the songs go from personal, like on "Little Girl" about his daughters, to just chillin' out like on "Scenic Route" and "Get Away". "Perfect Time" comes as a nice surprise as we get a new trap-style beat from Speak, which we never really hear from him. T-Streets, Jihad Baracus, GooniTunes and Trellmatic round up the production with JDL doing some cuts on "King of Kings".

This is my favorite Speakeasy release so far and it's not just because he KILLED it at the release party last Friday night. It's because this project feels the most complete and rounded out compared to all his other albums. And luckily for us he's already got another project in the works with another favorite MC of mine. Did I mention this was free? Check it. - JS Online


Discography

Since with Uni-Fi Records:
2011 November - single "Easily"
2012 January - EP "I'm Just Sayin"
2012 April - Album "Raiders of the Lost Art"
2012 August - Album "Need I Say More"
2012 November - Single "One of These Kids"

EP "Uni-Fi Records Presents ... Dana Coppafeel & Speak Easy" TBR- April 2013

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Bio

Some rappers can sound great on record but lose something in translation between the studio and the stage...SPEAK Easy is as good a performer as he is a writer, which, given the strength of the material on Need I Say More, is really saying something. - Shepherd Express

The video for the first single, from an upcoming 2013 project, One of These Kids (November 2012) premiered on MTVhive.com, who wrote, Honestly, it sounds like a great day: playground, shoe-shopping and cake consumption rolled into one.

Another track, This Is Us premiered on Rollingstones Daily Downloads in March 2013 week.

Add these reviews to the growing list of accolades the Milwaukee rapper has received since his debut as a solo artist in 2009, and its a good reminder that hard work really does pay off. Often described as conscious and soulful, SPEAK Easy - whos started rhyming in the 90s - continues to challenge being labeled or pigeon-holed by experimenting with style and sound, constantly raising the bar for himself. In the past three years hes produced two albums, two EPs and a mixtape, and was recently nominated for four Milwaukee Music Awards, including one for Solo Artist of the Year.

A prolific storyteller with an effortless flow, listeners are given an unfiltered view into the proverbial window of SPEAK Easys life through his music. Covering topics that range from fatherhood and relationships to social justice and childhood struggles, just like with the man himself - what you see is what you get.

In life, youre always trying to be better - whether its on the job or in a relationship, SPEAK said in a recent interview. Im constantly looking to top myself. If you cant measure progress, you should stop what youre doing.