This week is a special one in Milwaukee as it is the inaugural Hip Hop Week! Created by Alderman Khalif Rainey, the next seven days celebrate the history and culture of hip hop.
And that's not all. Also taking place this week is Social X's Homecoming Week, bringing millennials together for a week of networking, professional development, health and wellness, and social impact in the city they call home.
Considering all that excitement, this week's picks are a special edition focused on these two major events striving to make Milwaukee the amazing place we love and call home.
Monday, Aug. 20
Hip Hop Week kicks off with a day full of events. (Find the full schedule here.) I'm excited that Milwaukee's own Rico Love will be in town delivering the keynote address at 5 p.m. followed by Masters of Ceremonies, a concert filled with some of our city's greatest talent including Ray Nitti, JR Scalez, MT Twins and IshDARR! Both take place at the Miller High Life Theatre, with the latter beginning at 8 p.m. – and for free!
Tuesday, Aug. 21
This evening, run over to Run the Yard with Social X's run crew F.E.A.R. (Forget Everything and Run) at a 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Urban Ecology Center - Menomonee Valley.
But don't forget to make your way over to Mr. Jay's Lounge for our Ghetto Hero, Baby Drew, like you've never seen him before: performing live and unplugged with Cigarette Break band! You don't want to miss this! The show starts at 8 p.m. – and it's only $10! Meet me there.
Wednesday, Aug. 22
Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest hip hop artists currently and tonight 88Nine Radio Milwaukee is dissecting and exploring the artists third studio album – and one of my personal favorites – "To Pimp a Butterfly." No, KDot won't be there, but Spotify's Dissect podcast host Cole Cuchna will lead this discussion, starting at 5:30 p.m. at 88Nine.
Thursday, Aug. 23
Do you know what it means to "code switch"? Join Social X for the Social Xchange as panelists take a deep dive into code switching and imposter syndrome. The conversation will take place at Anodyne Coffee Roasting at 5:30 p.m.
The Diggy Diggy Doc y'all is falling through MKE by way of Gee's Clippers! "The Formula," a conversation with D.O.C, facilitated by Chad "C-Note" Roper and featuring DJ Doc B, kicks off at 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 24
As one of the founders of hip hop, DJ Kool Herc will share his stories about the origins of hip hop from 4 until 8 p.m. Who's better to do this? I mean, he WAS there August 11, 1973 in the Bronx. Tickets are available at the Miller High Life Theatre or online – and if you hit me up, I just might have a few to give a way ...
Ghostface Killah, my favorite Wu-Tang Klansman, will perform live at the Rave tonight! After getting your hip hop history lesson, get your party on with the Killah. I'll never be the same again; I bet you'll never understand. Showtime is at 8 p.m., followed by the Penthouse Afterparty – also at the Rave!
This is only a glimpse of the amazing things happening this week in the lovely place we all call home, try to get out and partake in some of it. You only live once – that's my motto.
For the full Hip Hop Week Schedule, click here – and for the full Social X Homecoming Week Schedule, visit www.socialxmke.com.
Until we chat again next week, live, love, laugh and enjoy Milwaukee!
Born and raised in Milwaukee, a lover of life and and a connector of people, I'm a mother, a real estate developer, a philanthropist, a singer and more. And last, but most definitely not least, I love Milwaukee!
I often get asked – by people I know and don't know alike, out of towners and MKE locals – what is there to do here? Is there any live music tonight? What's a good place for a date? What's a good place to hang with a group of friends? You get the point...
So I've decided to share my weekly picks of cool happenings in and around our lovely city. I may repeat some "regulars," and the list by no means is comprehensive, but it will give you glimpse of some of the great things our great city has to offer for entertainment.
