Milwaukee is a city full of talented Hip Hop artists. If you are online and pay attention to trends, I am sure you have come across one of the many Milwaukee Rap tracks that have gone viral over the last couple of years. Milwaukee Hip Hop has a vibrant and exciting energy to it, and it is bound to get anyone dancing when it comes on. One artist who embodies this Milwaukee energy so well is DJ Megadon. Over the last year or so, he has been involved in some of the most exciting music(and videos) to come out of Milwaukee. DJ Megadon does such a great job at sticking to the Milwaukee sound while putting his own flair on it. I recently reviewed his joint EP with Ef Ay titled Lost Boys, and it was one of my favorite projects I have heard in a minute(especially from Milwaukee) artists. This album has a quirky and cool energy that really stands out; the chemistry between Ef Ay and Megadon was palpable as well. Earlier in 2025, though, DJ Megadon released a solo project called Rookie of the Year. Below, I wanted to talk about that Rookie of the Year a bit, highlighting my favorite tracks and giving some overall thoughts. Please let me know in the comments how you feel about DJ Megadon and Rookie of the Year! 

FLY GUY

DJ Megadon begins this project with what is probably the quirkiest and most outside-the-box track here in ‘Fly Guy.’ There is something about the sound and overall energy of this one that stands out. The melody that drives this one has a sound that is kind of inviting and jarring at the same time. It is a real shocker(in a good way), that is for sure. This melody is very high-pitched and crisp. It has an analog feeling to it that feels robotic and futuristic. For the most part, the beat for this one has a distorted, fast-paced Trap tempo. Throughout the track, some fast-paced clapping drums come in and out, giving it a Milwaukee twist. DJ Megadon’s flow on this track is so smooth and fluid(as he actually alludes to in the lyrics), which kind of calms down the energy and evens things out. ‘Fly Guy’ is a cool opener that gets the project started on a big note. 

CHARGED UP

Now don’t get me wrong, every song on the project definitely feels so in tune with Milwaukee. If there is one track that feels the most “Milwaukee” to me, though, it’s ’Charged Up.’ So much modern Milwaukee music is defined by a colorful melody and quirky, fun beat. ‘Charged Up’ fits squarely into that description. The melody for this one has a sweet, twinkling element to it. This melody almost has a commercial jingle feeling, making it a total earworm. The beat on this track has a typical Milwaukee Slap timing and pattern. The bass in the background gives it emphasis, and the clapping that drives it is so lively as well. DJ Megadon’s low tone on this track contrasts with the melody in a cool way. His flow is a bit off-kilter, which adds a pretty cool texture that stands out. ‘Charged Up’ is the kind of track that just fits in so well with the energy of the music in the city. 

TWO MAN POWER TRIP (FEAT. SPAIDEZ)

‘Two Man Power Trip’ with Spaides emerged as the top song from this project when it came out, and it is easy to see why. DJ Megadon may have saved the best for last with this one. This is the grittiest and most intense song here. The melody for this one is very low and dark. It solely consists of a sinister-sounding keyboard riff that sounds like it is played on an old piano in a haunted house. The beat for this one has a fast-paced Slap beat and is super distorted. The distortion makes the sound feel so huge and brash. As good as the instrumental is, the rap performances from Spaidez and Megadon are even better. Both artists really embody this beat and lean into the audacity of the song. Their chemistry is excellent as well; they feel off of each other and make this song so entertaining. ‘Two Man Power Trip’ really sends this project out with a bang. 

DJ Megadon is someone who truly bleeds Milwaukee with the music that he makes. Everything I have heard from him so far just fits into the style, culture, and energy of the city so well. Rookie of the Year is such a good example of that. Every song on this project hits, and they all represent the energy of the city. I have heard people describe the music scene and people in Milwaukee as zany, fun-loving, and bold. That is totally the essence of this EP. I love how each track really stands out sonically with its melody. Even though they all have beats that definitely feel very adjacent to the Slap music that is big here right now, they all feel distinguishable for the tone they have. All of the songs here are enjoyable, but a the three songs really stand out for me. The opener, ‘Fly Guy,’ is an awesomely shocking way to get the project going. ‘Charged Up’ feels exceptionally positive and bright with its melody, and Megadon’s flow matches that feeling. ‘Two Man Power Trip’ is an awesome collaboration between DJ Megadon and Spaidez; their chemistry is palpable(which is great because I know they have more music on the horizon). Overall, Rookie of the Year is a short and succinct project that really captures the energy of Milwaukee Slap music. If one were to ask me what to listen to if they really want to know how Milwaukee eccentricity feels, this would be a great place to start. I am excited to see what DJ Megadon has cooking up in 2026, as Rookie of the Year was a cool solo project from him!