There is a group of young, talented and uniquely introspective individuals that are currently kicking around the Milwaukee music scene.
The collective goes by The Weathermen's Union and most notably includes Nom De Rap.
Another member of TWU is Alexander "Safari Al" Kollman, who has recently released his freshman effort, a project called "Hermitage Academy."
Kollman's ability to articulate his philosophies and the plight of a talented young man that's fighting against the reality of a college graduation and a career in a 9-to-5 versus the dream to do music professionally is something anybody 18 to 40 can embrace.
The tinges of holding on to his youth – the best days of his life, creatively thus far – voice self-aware concern and evokes feelings of more innocent times for this listener.
Not just a talented rapper, Safari Al also sounds very comfortable on the microphone as a singer, which rounds out the overall aesthetic of the project.
As with his friend Milo's release, Kollman's project is the type of album that unfolds like a story told by flipping the pages of a continually updating scrap book.
"Hermitage Academy" is available for free streaming and download here.
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.
