HYFINated Conversations

Reducing Donnell Rawlings solely to his role on "Chappelle's Show" would be a significant mistake. It clearly undermines his multifaceted talent and diverse contributions to comedy. Rawlings undeniably made his mark as a memorable cast member on the acclaimed sketch comedy series, but his comedic abilities extend far beyond that particular show.

Rawlings has appeared in The Wire, BMF, Soul, WINNING TIME: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty, Black Jesus and much more.This stand up juggernaut has an impressive body of work on and off the screen. If you’ve ever seen any of his stand up you clearly see that Rawlings himself is a star, no matter the platform. His comedic style incorporates sharp wit, observational humor, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences through his relatable storytelling.

Rawlings can clearly engage audiences with his unique perspective on various topics, including race, relationships, and everyday experiences. HYFIN's Element Everest-Blanks spoke with him about his comedy career, one of her favorite roles and his family. She even had the luxury of doing the unthinkable, heckling a standup comedian.

When anyone began to embrace the entirety of Rawlings' career, the depth of his talent and the lasting impression he has made on the world of comedy become clear.

"I'm an artist that takes the craft very seriously. I’m going to keep supplying the fans, the listeners, the new listeners with the highest quality of music.” – Wave Chapelle

It’s often said that words are powerful. What you speak is what you believe and also what you turn into your reality. Wave Chapelle’s projects (and singles) give clues into the life it seems he’s always been focused on creating.

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop is the name of his upcoming EP dropping May 5, and it’s also the type of dogged energy Wave naturally emits.

“The motivation behind this project is to establish a mindset and motivation to fans, and even new listeners, to keep going no matter what,” he said. “As an artist who's been in multiple places in my career whether it's being on a major label or independent the mindset has remained that we can't stop and that we won't stop is a testament to that.”

Over the past decade, he released his debut mixtape, It’ll All Make Sense (2013), was backed by rapper Yo Gotti and Epic Records (CMG), and is now charting his own path. Not only has this autonomy inspired a renewed focus, it also has birthed fresh music and new opportunities – including performing with the Milwaukee Bucks and becoming a team ambassador.

On his latest EP, Wave sticks with vibes that work. He’s back with Atlanta-based producing partners Menebeats (Childish Gambino, T.I. Cardi B, Future) and award-winning engineer Dacota G. Ahead of the latest release, the team dropped three singles: “Already,” “Honest (Remix)” and “Float” feat. IshDARR (with Wave and Menebeats on each single cover).

Ahead of his new release, Wave sat down with HYFIN's Kim Shine to talk about the new project, his love for Milwaukee and his drive. He also explains his fashion (including the notable pearl necklace) and where his inspiration comes from now.

Women, Wine + Tech is designed as a forum for business leaders, entrepreneurs, tech engineers, human resource professionals, and college students. The goal is to have attendees network amongst each other, share resumes with recruiters from corporations, gain resources, and come together to identify solutions to address diversity and inclusion concerns specific to the Milwaukee area.

Visionary League founders Arlando Monk-Walls, Nicole Taylor and Jose Robinson sat down with HYFIN about the event and the origins of the organization.

Most people think of the harp as an instrument primarily meant for classical music, but harpist and composer Brandee Younger is working to change that perception. She is championing the harp as an instrument for jazz. Younger’s newest album “Brand New Life” aims to illustrate the harp as a focal instrument in jazz. The project is inspired by another trailblazing jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby, whose music continues to influence jazz, hip hop and R&B.

Produced by Chicago’s drummer Makaya McCraven, “Brand New Life” features hip-hop producers Pete Rock and 9th Wonder, both known for sampling Ashby’s music. The album also has guest appearances from Meshell Ndegeocello and Mumu Fresh. The album celebrates the work of Ashby with select reinterpretations of her music along with original works from Younger. In her conversation with HYFIN, she talks about the album, Ashby, the harp as a jazz instrument and being a Black woman in the jazz scene dominated by men.

CopyWrite Magazine, a Milwaukee-based creative collaboration platform, has a mission to support urban culture and entrepreneurship through facilitating creative collaboration. Their event, “SS23”, on April 7, is the second iteration of their “Streetwear Street Smartz” fashion experience.

“SS23” will feature six local designers, including “Marcellus Brand”, “Platinum Boy Gang Clothing”, “Views Clothing” and “The Set Apart Ones” (Yahad Kadash), who will collaborate to showcase streetwear at an elevated level. The event is choreographed, and designed to provide an experience for attendees that goes beyond a regular runway show.

HYFIN's Tarik Moody and Element Everest-Blanks interviewed CopyWrite’s Vato Vergara and Lexi Brunson, as well as designer Marcellus, about the city’s streetwear culture, fashion as a means of mental health and self-expression and the legacy of Virgil Abloh. They also reflect on how streetwear has evolved over time and the challenges of going commercial.

Thousands of women dedicated to leadership and community service will take over Milwaukee this week. The Cream City will welcome Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) for its 89th Central Regional Conference, April 6-9, at the Wisconsin Center. In addition to exploring the city, the event is a time for members to reconvene, learn more about the current trajectory of the organization, participate in local philanthropy and celebrate sisterhood. AKA governance call the conference “a training ground for leadership, business and continued service”.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1908 at Howard University. It is the first and oldest Greek-letter sorority established by African American, college-educated women. Its membership, of more than 355,000 worldwide, begins at the undergraduate level and extends throughout adulthood (graduate). The Central Region is home to nearly 10,000 active members across nine states, including Wisconsin. Notable Milwaukee-area members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. include Ald. Milele Coggs of District 6; former alderwoman Nikiya Harris-Dodd of District 5; Sen. Lena Taylor of the 4th District; Assembly Representative LaKeshia Myers of District 12; and Milwaukee County’s Chief Judge, the Honorable Judge Maxine White. HYFIN’s Kim Shine* talked with Central Regional Director Kiahna W. Davis. Listen below to their conversation about the upcoming conference and its planned impact on Milwaukee, the sorority’s influence on Davis and why membership means a lifelong sisterhood to her.

Toronto-based singer and emcee, DEBBY FRIDAY, has released the stellar track ‘So Hard to Tell’ from her debut full length album, ‘Good Luck’ out everywhere on March 24. What isn’t hard to tell, is that she is a fresh and innovative voice, uncommon yet commanding. While her initial offerings, ‘Bitchpunk’ and ‘Death Drive’ were, punk-funk-industrial in scope, ‘So Hard to Tell’ smooths it out to more of a bop by way of DEBBY and Graham Walsh’s crispy production. Follow up singles ‘HOT LOVE’, and dance-flavored ‘I GOT IT (feat UÑAS)’ are wide-ranging audio morsels, preceding the LP. We delve into her youth, growing up in Montreal, the ups and downs of the club scene, faith, family and individuality.

Nyla Hayes is not an average artist. She has been featured in Diversity in Action, Ebony, Black Enterprise, and Time magazine. All of these accomplishments paired with CNN interviews and speaking at Billionaire luncheons would lead you to believe that she can’t be any more impressive. Now what if I told you she was 14 years old. She dropped her first collection of art at 12 years old and sold out immediately. Nyla sat down with HYFIN to discuss her journey and all the people who helped her on the road to success.

What is there not to say about India Shawn? Her vibe is peaceful and focused. Her music is personal, relatable and inspired by experiences that anyone of us could be having right now.The LA-born creative is an undeniably gifted singer and songwriter. Working with artists as Monica and singing background for Harry Styles are just parts of her expansive music career. She’s been in the music industry for more than a decade, and dropped a masterful project “Before We Go (Deeper)” last year. It’s launched classics as “Cali Love“, “Too Sweet ft. Unknown Mortal Orchestra” and the Billboard charting single, “Exchange”.India recently visited Radio Milwaukee to mentor students involved in Grace Weber’s Music Lab and to perform a Radio Milwaukee studio session. She also sat down with HYFIN’s Kim Shine and B~Free, the Lab’s Music Coordinator. The trio had a fun and comfortable conversation about navigating the music business, life and what India is working on next.

“The album is sounding good. I feel like I’m in a really good space. I feel like I want to share it with the world, literally.”It would be a huge understatement to say NilexNile has just been… ‘busy’. He’s about to embark on his “Nostalgia Tour”, dedicated to the Midwest but with a beginning stop in Austin, TX for SXSW. Yea, he’s done shows and tours before but this time is different.

“I’ve really given it my all,” Nile says. “This is like the first actual, and this is no disrespect to anything I’ve done in the past, this is the first real tour. Seven dates? This is a real tour.”Nile also credits the pandemic with forcing him to evolve and reassess his passion for music. He says he experienced an ‘ego death’ that centered his life and helped create the team he has now.The “Nostalgia Tour” kicks off on March 15, and it’s the same day fans will get the single, “Breakfast”, with Chicago’s Mick Jenkins. Two days later, on March 17, Nile is proudly dropping his album “Nostalgia Everclear”.Nile stopped by the Radio Milwaukee studios to chat with HYFIN about the tour, the album, his deep love for Chicago and opening up for Pusha T.