David Lopez is a figure in the Milwaukee music scene with as much popularity and influence as anyone currently. He is a staple of Milwaukee music and has done so much for the great artists around the city over the last couple of years. David Lopez runs Passion Park Ent., a jack-of-all-trades music and media company that does so much to help Milwaukee Hip Hop progress. Through Passion Park Ent., David Lopez throws shows and concerts all of the time, helping showcase all of the talent that Milwaukee has to offer and giving up-and-coming artists a chance to be seen and heard. The shows that Passion Park Ent. puts on are so important for Milwaukee and they are a huge reason the music scene is progressing so quickly. David Lopez has been passionate about making Hip Hop music for quite a while; his catalog on Spotify goes back to 2015. David Lopez has been steadily growing over the years, with 2023 being a breaking point for his music, helping him garner his best numbers yet. Last year, he put out a plethora of singles and an EP with producer EwordG, showcasing his talent and diversity as a Hip Hop artist in a variety of years. David Lopez has started off 2024, as he recently released his new album Cafecito. This is a passion project for David Lopez (which is executively produced by Milwaukee music legend HeyZeus) that David Lopez really put his heart and soul into. With that being said, here is how I feel about David Lopez’s Cafecito. Please let me know in the comments below how you feel about this album from David Lopez, and also comment the names of any other independent artists you think I should check out.
David Lopez gets Cafecito going on a laid-back and groovy note with the song ‘Ground Up,’ which gets assistance from HeyZeus and EwordG. ‘Ground Up’ has a super Jazzy and dark instrumental that is light and daunting at the same time. The tone of this instrumental is floaty and feathery, but it also has a very heavy aspect to it. I really enjoy the bassline that drives this melody, as it has the kind of sound that will give anyone the stank face. Both the vocal performances on ‘Ground Up’ are very good and very interesting. David Lopez’s vocals are very poignant and high-key and contrast the instrumental. HeyZeus, however, has a very measured vocal performance that has a spoken word cadence to it more than it does a traditional rap cadence. On ‘Ground Up,’ David Lopez and HeyZeus are rapping about going through adversity and starting everything they have built from the bottom. ‘Full House’ has a much brighter and sweeter sound than the sound that precedes it. This track has a Gospel Trap sound that honestly reminds me of the South. When I hear this instrumental, I think of artists like Rick Ross or UGK. The piano-driven melody for ‘Full House’ is very sunny and pleasant; it has the kind of sound that can put anyone in a good mood when it plays. ‘Full House’ has a pretty quick and intricate Trap beat that fits the exuberance of the melody nicely. David Lopez’s flow on ‘Full House’ is so smooth and complex. His rhyme scheme and cadence on this track make this song all the more cool. On ‘Full House,’ David Lopez is rapping about how he has gone through a ton of struggles in his life and how he is trying to grow into something great for his family. ‘Rooster Crows,’ which features Zeus, has a lot more of a melancholy and weighty feeling than the first two tracks of the record. The melody of this track is very blue and dejected; the thing this melody makes me think of the most is rain. The beat ‘Rooster Crows’ is very harsh and dense, which leans into the downtrodden feeling of the melody. Both of the rap performances on ‘Rooster Crows’ are honestly excellent. Both David Lopez and Zeus rap with a level of emphasis and intensity that fits the instrumental perfectly and makes it hit even harder. On ‘Rooster Crows,’ Zeus and David Lopez are rapping about all of the external factors in their lives that are dragging them down mentally, and how they are trying to let go of all this negativity they feel. ‘Pick Up,’ which features EwordG has a very warm and lovely sound, which is very welcomed after the more harsh feeling of the last track. ‘Pick Up’ feels inspired by the Jazzy Neo-Soul music that was big in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This instrumental is reminiscent of the music that artists like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott became known for. The melody for ‘Pick Up’ is very sweet and inviting, and the beat is soft and easygoing. David Lopez’s rap performance on ‘Pick Up’ is pretty lively and pushy, creating a juxtaposition with the instrumental which makes his vocals really hit. On ‘Pick Up,’ David Lopez is rapping about always trying to be there for that special person and wanting to not live with the regret of losing them.
‘Picadillo’ feels like a bit of an interlude for the record. This is a 1:39 track where David Lopez gives us a little braggadocious verse over a pretty energetic Jazz instrumental. ‘Picadillo’ is just a cool little track where David Lopez shows off a really nice rap flow over a breezy little melody and beat. This track almost just feels like a little buffer for what is to come. ‘KEYS TO THE CITY’ has a very heavy and almost foreboding feeling to it, which is very interesting considering how simple the actual sound of the song is. This track consists of a few vocal samples and a twinkling yet dark synth and piano-driven melody that is put on top of a light, off-kilter Trap beat. Even though this instrumental is not complex, it still feels almost formidable. David Lopez’s cadence and tone on this track are also a bit off-kilter, fitting the feeling of the instrumental and adding to the ominous feeling of this instrumental. In ‘KEYS TO THE CITY,’ David Lopez calls out those who are trying to take advantage of his influence and notoriety while stating he is willing to help anyone who has been there for him and has helped him get to this point. ‘Second Cup,’ which features EwordG and KEAV, has the same kind of old-school Funk sound that we got on the first track from this record. Like ‘Ground Up,’ this song has a sound with a 1970s Psychedelic feeling to it. To be honest, the first half of the instrumental for ‘Second Cup’ almost truly feels like a sequel to that one, with ‘Second Cup’ having a slightly brighter and more pleasant sound than ‘Ground Up.’ About halfway through the track, the beat gets way more intense. It takes on a punchy Trap sound that contrasts the melody and gives the song emphasis. Both of the vocal performances on ‘Second Cup’ are cool, but in my opinion, KEAV steals the show. I love how his fervor matches the energy of the second half of this instrumental and makes ‘Second Cup’ hit extra hard. On ‘Second Cup,’ David Lopez and KEAV are rapping about grinding and working at your craft to get the success you want. ‘Pin,’ which features Lady Sabo, has a delightful and deliberate Trap sound that is very gratifying. The melody for ‘Pin’ has a sparkling and bright now that almost has a hypnotic, lullaby element to it. The beat for ‘Pin’ is bass-heavy and intense, but also very slow and intentional. Both David Lopez and Lady Sabo totally kill it on ‘Pin.’ They both bring so much energy and emphasis to the track, which contrasts the instrumental and makes their vocal performances very impactful. On ‘Pin,’ David Lopez and Lady Sabo are rapping about trying to find their path again and find what they truly want in life.
‘Peace of Mind,’ which features EwordG and oos.maan, has a classic Hip Hop sound that feels like it came from the 1990s. This song has a BoomBap sound that reminds me of the classic underground Hip Hop I loved as a kid. When I hear this one, I think of artists like Atmosphere, Brother Ali, or even Lupe Fiasco. The melody for this track, which is provided by a downtrodden keyboard riff complemented by various synths and sound effects, is cold and atmospheric. It makes me feel like I am suspended in space, but not necessarily positively or merrily. As I said, the drum pattern for this one has a nostalgic Boom-Bap feeling to it. Both of the rap performances on ‘Peace of Mind’ are very effective. I really like how the gruffer and lower tone that oos.maan raps with contrasts David’s higher pitch, as it gives the song texture and life. On ‘Peace of Mind,’ David Lopez and oos.maan are rapping about searching for what they need in life and grinding until they find the happiness and tranquility they deserve. ‘Different Time’ is the second song in a row with an old-school Hip Hop feel to it that brings me back to my youth. This song has a timeless feeling to it. It fits well with some of the underground HIP Hop that is big today, but still feels so nostalgic. The melody for ‘Different Time’ is a bit more positive and sweet than the one on the preceding track. Instead of having a tone that is melancholy and almost dejected, this synth-driven melody has a hopeful tone, which I appreciate. Like ‘Peace of Mind,’ the beat for ‘Different Time’ has a decidedly Boom-Bap feeling that is very punctual yet peaceful. David Lopez’s flow on ‘Different Time’ is so silky and fresh. The way his flow sits on this beat works so nicely and really makes the track pop. In ‘Different Time,’ David Lopez is rapping about how hard he works and how you have to put in the time and the effort to achieve everything you want. ‘Hold Me Down’ has a sound that is unlike anything on this project to this point. This instrumental actually feels pretty similar to the Melodic R&B-infused Trap music that has become very big over the last couple of years. Specifically, this instrumental makes me think of artists like Rod Wave, 6lack, and Don Toliver. ‘Hold Me Down’ has a sweet and gratifying melody that feels so sunny and bright. This melody is provided by a guitar riff that is complemented by various other instruments(including a luscious keyboard riff) and sound effects. This melody has a bit of a Psychedelic feeling to it that is so calming and charming. This melody is put on top of a slow Trap beat that fits this melody perfectly in the way that the drums hit. David Lopez’s vocals on ‘Hold Me Down’ are easy-going yet forceful. His flow is relaxed, but his tone is apprehensive, creating a cool juxtaposition. On ‘Hold Me Down,’ David Lopez is rapping to a significant other, stating he will do anything to make them happy and keep them in his life. Sonically, ‘How Do I,’ which features Avert Nahwahquaw and The Difference, almost feels like a faster and more energetic song than the one before it. The tone of the melody for ‘How Do I’ is a bit more luminous and feathery than the one on ‘Hold Me Down.’ The tone of this melody also has a slight Country Twang to it that differentiates it as well. ‘How Do I’ has an upbeat Pop-Trap drum pattern that has a tempo that will get anyone moving when it comes on. I have to admit, the vocal performances on ‘How Do I’ are just okay to me. They certainly are not bad, but they also do not draw me in like some of the other vocals from this record. In ‘How Do I,’ David Lopez and his features are talking about trying to get over mental health struggles and feeling like you have no one to turn to.
‘Too Late’ has a pretty melancholy and laid-back tone, which is a nice switch-up after the more beaming feeling of the last few tracks. This song has a soft and uncomplicated sound. The melody is driven by a cozy yet somber twinkling piano melody that is complemented by backing vocals and synths. This melody is put on top of a giant and slow Trap beat that fits the energy of the melody so well. Unlike the last song, ‘Too Late’ has one of the most engaging rap performances of the project from David Lopez. The pain in his tone is palpable, and his flow puts a major emphasis on what he is saying. On ‘Too Late,’ David Lopez is once again rapping about going through struggles in his mind and his career, and how he is doing everything he can to keep pushing his way to the top. ‘Made With Love’ is another song that is easy-going and light. This one, however, feels a lot sweet and more positive than ‘Too Late,’ though. It also has a beat that feels a lot more old-school. The melody for ‘Made With Love’ is bubbly and endearing, driven by a variety of pleasant synths. This melody is put on top of a dim Boom-Bap beat that is similar to the other music of this record that feels inspired by the late 1990s. Although ‘Made With Love’ is over 3 minutes long, it feels so short because of how addicting David Lopez’s flow is. His flow on this track is so smooth and fresh that the song just flows and progresses in a way that makes me want so much more. In ‘Made With Love,’ David Lopez is rapping about how he does everything in his life with love in his heart and how his family is his inspiration for everything he does. ‘2PM IN MILWAUKEE’ may be my favorite song on this record. This song embodies everything about David Lopez that makes him great. This track has a melancholy melody that is so atmospheric. It has a tone that makes me feel like I am floating, but there is also an apprehensive element to it that makes it feel almost sad. This melody is put on top of an intricate and hard-hitting Trap beat that fits the emotional yet trippy feeling of the melody so nicely. As cool as this instrumental is, the best thing about ‘2PM IN MILWAUKEE’ is David Lopez’s vocal performance. I love his flow, tone, and overall emphasis on this track. David Lopez provides energy to ‘2PM IN MILWAUKEE’ that takes it over the top. On ‘2PM IN MILWAUKEE,’ David Lopez raps about how all of his hard work is starting to pay off and how he will never stop grinding and being unapologetically him. David Lopez closes out Cafecito with ‘Happy Hour,’ which features EwordG. This track is literally a love letter to Passion Park Entertainment. On a beautiful, silky, Jazzy melody, a few of David Lopez’s most important collaborators show love to Passion Park and thank David Lopez for all of the hard work he puts in. Without David Lopez, the Milwaukee music scene would not be what it is today, and this track is a tribute to that fact. ‘Happy Hour’ is a very nice way to close out Cafecito, and it puts a good stamp on this very cool project.
There are so many people around Milwaukee who know David Lopez as much or more for the work he does for other musicians around the city than they do for his own music. This is something that needs to change, because David Lopez is a great artist in his own right, and Cafecito proves this. Cafecito is a project that true Hip Hop lovers should absolutely love. This project is so succinct and consistent in its sound and style, while also showing diversity and eclecticism. Considering how wide-ranging the sound of the project gets, it is amazing how smoothly it flows and moves along. David Lopez totally shows off his rapping prowess and talent on Cafecito. This album is full of intricate bars and rhyme schemes; the topics that David Lopez covers on Cafecito are serious and relevant, and it is so easy to relate to so much of what David Lopez is saying in this project. Cafecito shows how immensely talented David Lopez is, and it proves that hard work, passion, and dedication to your craft can pay off in a big way.
EAST SIDE VIBES 