As I mentioned in my post about Yella Boy Musik last week, the Milwaukee music scene has been exponentially growing and expanding over the last few years. Multiple artists from the city have had tons of success online recently, putting Milwaukee Hip Hop as one of the most exciting burgeoning music scenes emerging anywhere in the country. For as many artists from Milwaukee who are starting to see the success they deserve, many artists contribute to the scene majorly and need so much more credit. Ey Ay is a rising Milwaukee artist who fits into this mold perfectly, as he has a sound and overall ambiance that is as captivating as anyone in the city. He is starting to take the local music scene by storm, as he sets himself apart with his dynamic and riveting sound. He now needs to be noticed on a national scale, as Ef Ay has a sound that I feel could appeal to all kinds of Hip Hop fans across the country. Ef Ay has been releasing unique and entertaining music for a while now, but he really stepped up his output on streaming services in late 2023. He dropped his iconic track ‘Monday FUNDDAY’ back on November 15 and closed out 2023 with a banger, dropping seven more singles to close out the year. Ef Ay has been just as prolific in his releases in 2024 as he was at the end of 2023. So far this year, Ef Ay has already put out 13 songs(almost one song a week). Below, I wanted to briefly highlight three of Ef Ay’s latest songs, titled ‘OUTTA TOWN !, ‘ROLLERWORLD !,’ and ‘SMELLED COACH !.’ All three of these singles were released about a week ago on February 20th. These were not even the only songs Ef Ay dropped on this day; he actually dropped four additional singles on that day. Regardless, these are the three I wanted to talk about, as they capture his essence and diversity super well. Please let me know in the comments below how you feel about these new tracks from Ef Ay, and also comment the names of any other rising artists you think I should check out. 

‘OUTTA TOWN !’ is a song that somehow feels gloomy and bright at the same time. This song has a funky element with a bit of a Latin twist to it. The melody for this track is pretty simple and very sticky. The guitar riff that drives this melody has a Chicano Rock element that sort of reminds me of artists like Santana, with this riff being complemented by vocal samples and some distorted synths that give some depth. This smooth melody is apprehensive yet welcoming; it makes me think of enjoying a sunset while also stressing about the things that are to come. This melody is put on top of a funky Pop-Trap beat that will get any bobbing their head when it comes on because of how fun it is and how well it meshes with the melody. Ef Ay’s vocals on ‘OUTTA TOWN !’ are just as cool as the instrumental. I love the range in which he sings with in this track, as the high notes he hits give the track texture and emphasis that makes it hit hard. ‘OUTTA TOWN !’ is a cool Pop-Trap track with a unique sound that is very inviting yet also kind of tough, which I think is very interesting. ‘ROLLERWORLD !’ is easily the brightest and sweetest song of the three that I decided to talk about. This song is very ethereal and atmospheric sounding. It is driven by an extremely saturated synth-driven melody that is extremely sunny and pleasant. I love the squeakiness of the synths that drive this melody, as it makes the song feel robotic and futuristic. The beat for this track is a bit more intricate and deliberate than the one that precedes it. The way the melody sits on this complex beat adds to the otherworldly feeling of the track and makes it feel so all-encompassing. Compared to the first track, Ef Ay’s vocal performance on ‘ROLLERWORLD !’ is a bit more understated. This is okay, though, as it goes well with the slightly calmer feeling of the instrumental. ‘ROLLERWORLD !’ is a charming Pop-Trap bop that feels like the perfect song for a kickback on a beautiful summer Saturday. ‘SMELLED COACH !’ is easily the toughest and hardest-hitting track of the three that I picked for this list. Everything about this song is slightly harsh and abrasive. The vocal sample that drives the melody is somehow inviting and unsettling at the same time. On its own, it would probably be very affable. The way it is mixed and the way it sits on this beat though gives it a slightly anxious feeling. The beat for this track is by far the most gritty and grating of the three. It has a brash sound to it that fills me with energy when I hear it. Ef Ay’s vocal performance on ‘SMELLED COACH !’ is by far the most intense of these three tracks. Unlike the other two songs, he does not sing-rap on this one. Instead, his flow is poignant and his tone is low, fitting the powerful energy of the track. ‘SMELLED COACH !.’ would be the perfect song for any workout playlist, as it just pumps me up when I hear it. All three of these tracks from Ef Ay are so different from each other and show off his massive range. He is an artist I am very excited to keep following and see progress, as it seems like there are no limits to the kinds of Hip Hop he can make. 

** Ef Ay just dropped a new warm and bubbly R&B Trap track called ‘SupaStar !’ that is just as good as the songs I mentioned in this article. Go check out that one as well if you enjoy the songs I covered here