As I continue to try to highlight on this blog, the Milwaukee Hip Hop scene is as diverse and exciting right now as it has ever been. There are so many great artists popping up all of the time in this city. It can honestly be tough to keep track of all of the great music coming out of Milwaukee right now, as it is coming from so many artists in so many ways. Someone who has been on my radar for a while and who I have been patiently waiting to finally be able to cover is Simi. Although she has not been making music for long, she has already made a pretty big impact on the Milwaukee music scene. Simi first came onto my radar through her riveting live performances. Over the last year and a half or so, she has made a name for herself in the Milwaukee music scene for being one of the most thrilling and sought-after Hip Hop performers in the city. Simi has won multiple competitions and open mics due to her commanding stage presence. Hip Hop fans around Milwaukee have been drawn to her flow, charm, and overall demeanor on the stage; this has put her on the map as one that needs to be watched for a while. Throughout 2024, Simi has been teasing the release of her debut EP. She put a single called ‘Back to Black’ on Soundcloud earlier in the year as a teaser; this single became pretty popular among the Milwaukee Hip Hop scene, and it got so many of us who follow her and follow the scene as a whole pumped up for her eventual debut. Simi finally dropped that debut EP last week, titled Simi Automatic, last week. This release has been pretty highly anticipated, as it is Simi’s official introduction to the Milwaukee music world(although she has been an integral part of the scene for some time most definitely). Below, I wanted to give some of my thoughts on Simi’s Simi Automatic. Please let me know in the comments below what you think of Simi Automatic, and also comment the names of any other Milwaukee artists or Independent artists you think I should check out!
Simi starts this EP off in a pretty massive manner with the song ‘Who’s This?’ This instrumental is foreboding, intense, and larger than life. The melody for this track(if one can call it that) is driven by a highly distorted piano riff that sounds like someone is pounding on the keys. This riff is complemented by some synths with a very gloomy feeling. The tone of this melody sounds like something that would play during a final chase in a horror movie. The beat for ‘Who’s This?’ absolutely pounds, and is very intricate. I like the squeaky sound effects that come in and out, as this gives this beat texture. Simi’s rap performance on ‘Who’s This?’ is so smooth and enticing. Everything about her vocals on this one is great. Her tone is soothing yet intimidating, her tempo is so even-keeled, and her lyrics ooze confidence. ‘Who’s This?’ is a great to begin this EP, as it gets things started super fiercely. The aforementioned single ‘Back to Black’ comes next. This song is still pretty apprehensive sounding, but not quite as mean as the opener. The melody for this track is pretty haunting. It is driven by what sounds like an operatic or Baroque Pop vocal sample that has a very gloomy tone. This vocal sample is driven by a dreary piano riff that adds to the trepid feeling of the track. The beat for ‘Back to Black’ is pretty rapid and energetic. This track has more of a Dance-Trap drum pattern that could get any dance floor jumping when it comes on. Simi’s flow and tone on this song are so great. She raps with a quick and lively tempo that fits the instrumental so well, and her low yet soft tone contrasts the instrumental but also matches it perfectly. ‘Back to Black’ is not quite as enormous sounding as the opener, but its lighter and quicker sound makes it feel like a perfect club banger. Simi returns to a more threatening and gigantic sound on ‘Certified.’ The instrumental for this one definitely does have some similarities to the opener. Its melody once again has a distorted and harsh piano riff that drives it. There are some synths that complement it, but they are pretty faded, making the piano riff feel all the more severe. The beat for this one is a bit faster and more intricate than the one on the opener. The timing on this drum pattern sort of leans closer to the typical Milwaukee Slap music sound but also has elements of Chicago drill. Simi delivers a very interesting and entertaining rap performance on this one. Her flow on this track is pretty fast-paced and off-kilter. The way it hits the beat makes her vocals pop, as it feels a bit off-center. Once again, her low and passive tone actually makes the song feel all the more perilous. ‘Certified’ is an alarming and huge banger where Simi shows her dominance in a new way.
‘Still In Love’ is a moment where Simi shows a lighter side to her artistry. This is by far the sweetest and most welcoming-sounding song on the project. This song is driven by a pitched-up vocal sample that is very soulful and charming. This vocal sample is complemented by some sparkling synths that add to the warmth of the track. ‘Still In Love’ has an absolutely banging beat; the bassline on this track pounds, which gives it power. Simi’s soft tone and smooth flow fit this track so well. Her vocal style works with this instrumental perfectly; I love how whimsical she sounds on this one. ‘Still In Love’ is a moment where Simi lays back on the intensity, and it pays off. Simi closes the record with the title track. ‘Simi Automatic’ is not quite as tough and foreboding as the first three tracks, but it still hits hard. The instrumental for this one is pretty simple but hits super hard for what it is. The melody almost sounds like it is being provided by church bells. This makes it feel daunting like something bad is on the horizon. The beat on this track is not the hardest-hitting one on the project, but it still certainly pounds pretty harshly. ‘Simi Automatic’ has my favorite flow from Simi that I have heard so far. Her timing on this track is so good; the sing-songy manner in which she raps on this one makes it such an earworm. Simi knew she had to bring this EP to an end audaciously, and she does so in the banger that is ‘Simi Automatic.’
As I stated in the introduction Simi’s debut EP is one that I had been looking forward to for a while. She has become a staple in the DIY/Underground Hip Hop scene that is thriving here in Milwaukee, and she has been teasing music from this project for the last year or so. Now that Simi Automatic has arrived, I can say that it was well worth the wait. When listening to this project, it is easy to see that Simi is a massive talent. There is something about her aura and presence that is so captivating. She has the kind of confidence, swagger, and sound that can draw any Hip Hop fan in immediately. This EP is mainly full of over-the-top and brash Trap bangers, but there is one song that dials that back a bit, which I love. It is apparent that Simi can bring a ton of boldness and power to the forefront with her music, but she can also ease things up and show a more pleasant and cute side to her artistry as well. Simi Automatic has songs that can get the club jumping, gym jumping, and bedroom jumping. Simi shows that she has a good amount of variance on this project, which I am sure will come to the forefront the more she releases music. Overall, Simi Automatic is a very good project that shows Simi is someone who needs to be paid attention to. I can not wait to see what she does next, and until then, I will keep this EP in my frequent rotation for sure.
EAST SIDE VIBES 