The DJ Takeover is a program for listeners to discover their favorite artist's favorite artists, working to foster connection to the music and makers inside and outside our city. For the entire hour, we go down the rabbit hole of stories from their past, experiences of the present and goals for the future.
Emmitt James brought the heat in more ways than one on this week’s DJ Takeover. The hour kicked off with James’ latest single, “Jerk N’ Turf,” which 88Nine helped premiere last week as part of the rollout for his forthcoming concept EP, We Got Food At Home.
He explained that plans for this EP extend past six food-centered tracks: Each song doubles as a menu item that will complete a recipe handbook, including dishes such as “Stuffed Salmon,” “Chimichurri” and “Plantain Tortillas.” As James’ music reflects the life he lives, his love for cooking defines the flavor of this new release.
The music he picked to play during the Takeover was true to James’ signature fusion of jazz and rap. After “Rosie” by Wayne Snow played, he explained, “A lot of the music I like, I like to think that it’s coffee-shop appropriate because I used to work at a shop.” James redefines coffee-shop music, though, reaching new standards as lyricism flows from humor to activism through verses that tie in brass and cello.
Returning to Milwaukee in 2023 after eight years pursuing music in Los Angeles, James calls his hometown a “small big city” while appreciating that “it's more tangible to make a living off your art” in Milwaukee versus L.A. “There’s a lot of opportunities here to do stuff,” he said. “Like, if you wanted to, I could walk into the news station. I could be like, ‘Hey, here’s a press release.’ That does not happen in Los Angeles.”
It’s clear that authenticity fuels James. His passion for music, community, food and play can be felt when listening to his sound, and the spirit he brings to Milwaukee is inspired by performers like Anderson .Paak, Klassik, James Brown, Tyler The Creator and Beyoncé.
He’s taking these influences with him as he gets ready to bring his new music to the stage with upcoming performances at Summer Soulstice on June 14, an EP pre-release show at Anodyne Coffee on June 22 and his third annual Emmitt James Big Band BBQ at Third Space Brewing on Aug. 23.
With proceeds benefiting Your Move Milwaukee, his own event is a hands-on effort involving many facets of the community. James gives a bite-sized explanation of what immediately hits as a BBQ for the ages: “All I’m gonna say is 25-piece band.”
DJ Takeover: Emmitt James playlist
- Emmitt James, “Jerk N Turf”
- Liv.e, “O.M.M”
- Mndsgn, Devinn Morrison, “Hoursafter Interlude”
- Wayne Snow, “Rosie”
- Toro y Moi, “Grown Up Calls”
- Clairo, “Juna”
- Ausar, “Hive”
- 99TheProducer, “Match”
- Common, “Be (Intro)”
