Return of the Real: SPEAK Easy Sounds Off for Milwaukee (Exclusive Interview)

I don’t sing. I don’t rhyme. I can’t produce tracks. I’m often the only non-rapper in a room. But I’ve always had an ear for good music and because of that, folks have respected my honest opinion. I don’t hold back. I’m also a fan of music. I actually remember when that meant something. RefinedHype has given me the opportunity to showcase a dope artist weekly, someone who is on the rise that has caught my ear and that you should definitely check out. This is "Return of The Real". Chea!

I’m a fan of the Milwaukee Hip-Hop scene. There is no secret about that. I’ve written so much about Milwaukee Hip-Hop in the last two years most folks thought I was from Wisconsin. I’m not.

There’s just something about the Milwaukee Hip-Hop scene that I gravitate towards musically. There are a lot of talented producers and emcees coming out of the Brew City and folks should take notice.

SPEAK Easy is one of those emcees.

Just about a week ago SPEAK put out his latest offering, So to Speak. Much like his past work, he takes you on a personal journey with deep heartfelt lyrics and fresh production. But on So to Speak, SPEAK goes even deeper with some of the subjects including losing his mother, and much more. There’s also more of an aggressive flow on So to Speak, which he sort of scratched the surface with on his mixtape That Was Easy.

SPEAK is a deep emcee, who is genuine with his music and has a lot to say. He deserves your attention. With fourteen years of performing and putting out projects, he speaks (no pun intended) from experience. There is one line from a recent interview I saw with SPEAK that I think about now. He said, "so many people say, 'yo, I love Hip-Hop' and what I say to that is, 'PROVE IT!'" SPEAK proves his love every time he rhymes over a beat. And he speaks in volumes.

In our interview we talk fatherhood, the MKE Hip-Hop scene, his new project and more. This is SPEAK Easy.



ThroatChop: Where does the name SPEAK Easy come from?

SPEAK Easy: It came from an idea my brother Big Trip and I had about starting a label. I was working on Well Spoken and started to do shows. One of the emcees introduced me as Speak Easy and we just ran with it.

ThroatChop: (Laughs). That’s interesting. So, I respect that your music is deeper than most. Because your sound can be perceived more as conscious rap, do you feel there is an uphill battle in terms of getting your music heard?

SPEAK Easy: There is definitely an uphill battle as far as radio is concerned but I understand the nature of the Hip-Hop business. I do get love from The Mad Kids Show on WMSE. This Kid Cut Up and DJ Bizzon show plays a lot of dope Hip-Hop every Tuesday night.

ThroatChop: Word. I’m definitely familiar with The Mad Kids and what they’re doing. Respect to them. So, it also seems that being a family man plays a role in your music. How does being a husband and father impact the way you make music?

SPEAK Easy: Being a husband and a father further solidifies what I try to do overall in my music and that's just being real. I respect the artists who DON’T lie in their music. I miss those days.

ThroatChop: I hear that. So, you have a new project out. What's the big difference between So to Speak and Well Spoken?

SPEAK Easy: The big difference between So to Speak and Well Spoken is that you'll hear a little more aggression in some of my messages. I also dive deeper with So to Speak on subjects that I just kind of scratched the surface with Well Spoken.

ThroatChop: I can definitely hear and feel that on the project. How did That Was Easy and your web exclusives play into the lead up to So to Speak?

SPEAK Easy: That Was Easy was a pure display of lyricism. I didn't want to focus on a subject matter. It allowed me to just focus on rhyme cadence, timing and word play. With Digital Displays I started to put it all together again to build momentum for So to Speak.

ThroatChop: Lets switch gears just a little bit. I'm a fan of Milwaukee Hip-Hop as you know. You come from that scene. How do you think the scene is perceived outside of MKE?

SPEAK Easy: I think the MKE scene is looked at as one that you have to pay attention to. I've been fortunate to connect with many ill emcees and producers here in Milwaukee. We have something for everybody.



ThroatChop: Who are some folks people should be checking for in MKE?

SPEAK Easy: Yo, folks should be checking for Maal Himself, he's trouble. Just watch. Frankie Flowers is also someone you have to keep your eye on. There are several others such as Raze, APRIME, The Hollowz ... My brother Big Trip and I are cooking up something together as well.

ThroatChop: Cool. So, when you look back on your work five years from now, what would you have wanted to accomplish?

SPEAK Easy: Five years from now I will look back and be proud of the fact that I was able to make dope music, share it with others all the while maintaining a career, marriage and raising my children.

ThroatChop: As an artist, what impact do you want to have on the people who listen to your music?

SPEAK Easy: I want people to be compelled to take enjoy the vibe and take action. Share the music, share their wisdom. Build community.

ThroatChop: All right, so we've talked a lot about your music but who inspires you? What are you listening to on your iPod/MP3 player?

SPEAK Easy: My iPod has tons of music from The Roots. They remind me of why I do this. I'm also inspired by Common, Mos Def, Kweli and Little Brother.

ThroatChop: Last but not least, a question I ask everyone featured on Return of the Real, what's next for you?

SPEAK Easy: I have a few collabo projects I'm going to knock out before I start working on my next solo joint.

For more from SPEAK Easy, connect with him via Twitter and check out more music via his BandCamp.

For more from ThroatChopU, follow him on Twitter and check out TheMadBloggers.com.