The DJ Takeover sponsored by Level Up 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.
At the end of every DJ Takeover, I ask our guest to nominate a Milwaukee artist who should be featured on the next one. John Sparrow, drummer of Violent Femmes, nominated Wave Chapelle, praising the Milwaukee artist and rapper’s technical excellence, do-it-yourself attitude and tireless work ethic. He summed it up by saying that Wave sets an example for other creatives in the city.
I echo Sparrow’s sentiments about Wave, whose work is consistent and of the highest caliber. He’s been in the scene for more than 10 years, and his professionalism during this DJ Takeover spoke for itself. In fact, it's fair to say his media training exceeds my own, making me the guest in the studio for this episode.
Wave was signed to a label out of New York City earlier in his career but ultimately decided to pursue his music independently, giving him full creative freedom and allowing the fate of his work to rest in his own hands. He explained that he records three pieces of content and releases two of them every day of the week, always including a short self-recorded music video to his own songs — a dedicated approach that has pushed Wave’s social-media following north of 40,000.
All this to say, beyond the Violent Femmes nod, I’ve known Wave Chapelle’s name for almost as long as I’ve been in Milwaukee. And now I know why.
Wave was born on the North Side of Milwaukee and is a true example of how persistence, devotion, gratitude and confidence bring an artist from talent to legacy. He felt the beginning of his career was largely conquering “uncharted territory,” leaving home to make a name for himself before returning to help others do the same.
“As I got bigger and as I got more knowledge, I also wanted to pass that down,” he told me. “There are younger artists that are trying to do it. I just wanted to be an example.” The rapper continued by sharing the secret behind creating and performing in Milwaukee: “Being back home inspires you.”
Wave Chapelle will head to SXSW for his fifth time this year (the first time he met Lil Uzi Vert, with whom he went on to release a single, “Boss Up”). Before his journey south, he’lll perform with fellow Milwaukeeans NilexNile, SSAANN, Social Cig, Blood, Torcado, Eureeka and Wisconsin Space Program at the SXSW kickoff and fundraiser March 6 at The Cooperage
Wave will support Talib Kweli for the third time at Miramar Theater on March 27. You can also find him at the Milwaukee Public Market’s Unplugged showcase April 10 alongside Violet Wilder. He advises folks to grab a smoothie and enjoy the show.
DJ Takeover: Wave Chapelle playlist
- Wave Chapelle, “Blueprint”
- Jay-Z, “Legacy”
- J. Cole, “Two Six”
- Common, “The Light”
- Teezo Touchdown, “impossible”
- Jordan Ward, “FAMJAM4000”
- Lauryn Hill, “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
- Drake, “Pound Cake”
- NilexNile, “Eddie Kane”
