When you first hear Tristan "Lah-Kid" Brown's voice, you are immediately caught off guard and forced to listen to it because it's so different from the norm.
Caught somewhere in between Lil Wayne and Dana Coppafeel, Lah-Kid delivers street rhymes with skill and versatility.
The rapper, who's done interviews with local Kush Entertainment as well as national giant Shade 45 on XM Radio, has recently released a new mixtape, "CMK 3: Pretty Pistol Tony," which paints the story of a veteran gangster struggling to stay on top – similar to many of the mafia films that are so embraced by our culture.
It is those stories of crime, success, failure, etc., that also surround Brown in real life. Though the music may not be autobiographical, the character he's written is at the very least within the wheelhouse of his environment.
I recently talked with Brown about his aspirations and motivations.
OnMilwaukee.com: How long have you been rapping and putting out music?
Tristan Brown: I've been rapping since I was a little kid but I've been putting out music for five years now.
OMC: Known as a "hood" rapper with very little recognition on the East Side, in your mind are there any hard feelings towards Milwaukee publications that choose to write about the backpack rap more than the "hood"?
TB: Absolutely not. I feel sorry for some of the publications who limit themselves to just a certain type of hip-hop because they are really missing out on some good artists and great music.
OMC: What are you trying to accomplish with your music? Is it purely for fame and money or is it something bigger than the superficial?
TB: My ultimate goal is to motivate and inspire young people to chase their dreams. I also would love to be respected and ranked as one of the greatest. Fame is something I can live without but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want the money. Everybody wants that. Everybody!
OMC: You work a lot with producer Reason. What is it about Reason's beats that keep you coming back to him for music?
TB: Reason just has a different sound from everybody. A lot of producers I meet with are duplicating other producers in the game that is hot so they really don't have an identity, but Reason has a unique and different style that he can call his own. And, his drums are hard as f*ck!
OMC: You have a very unique voice. Have you ever had any problems with people overlooking you because you sound so different?
TB: Yes, indeed. But, being different is what makes me special and that's why I think I win people over. I make street music, but my voice can carry the track and no one will forget me once they turn the music off. Put me on a track with anybody and I bet most people be like "who's that one guy with that strange voice? He's pretty good!"
OMC: Tell me about your new project. What does it bring to the table?
TB: "CMK 3: Pretty Pistol Tony" is some of the hardest music I've ever done. The theme of the project is about the ups and downs of a leader of a crew like The Sopranos. But, I compare it to my life being an up-and-coming rapper and leader of my crew. So, new listeners would get a good idea of who I am and where I am at, at this stage in my career.
OMC: Why should people in Milwaukee and beyond listen to Lah-Kid?
TB: Because I will give you the best representation of a young black and ambitious male coming from the hood in America. I am very well-rounded as an artist as far as storytelling, rapping fast; however you want it, I can do it. I'm also not afraid to take chances with the music and I promise I won't hold back. I'll give you all of me!
Born in Milwaukee and raised in the Milwaukee suburb of Brown Deer, Concordia University Wisconsin alumnus Poppe has spent the majority of his life in or around the city and county of Milwaukee.
As an advocate of Milwaukee's hip-hop community Poppe began popular local music blog Milwaukee UP in March 2010. Check out the archived entries here.
Though heavy on the hip-hop, Poppe writes about other genres of music and occasionally about food, culture or sports, and is always ready to show his pride in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
