Dana Coppa and Vincent VanGreat hail from different eras of Milwaukee hip-hop. Coppa has been a fixture of the scene since the ’90s, when he was an original member of the Rusty Ps, while VanGreat is a part of Milwaukee rap’s modern vanguard. They have more commonalities than differences, though: Both are eager entertainers and relentless explorers of new sounds, and both enjoy a bit of mischief. It's no mystery what they see in each other.
For the last two years the two have been bouncing ideas off of each other in the studio, and their new A Tape Called Fresh collects the cream from those sessions. It’s split into two side: a “Rap Shit” side, and a “Smooth Shit” side. As you’d expect, they both sound a little more in their element on the rap side, which gives them free reign to raise hell and features the unlikely standout “On Repeat,” a Midwestern spin on the stark, turbulent modernist rap that Drake has made his calling card for the last few years. But don’t sleep on the smooth side, either. It’s posh, laid-back and pleasingly Sade-esque, and Coppa and VanGreat commit to these songs fully. R&B is a surprisingly good look on these guys.
VanGreat and Coppa play a mixtape release show Saturday, Sept. 1 at Mad Planet at 9:30 p.m. with Spill Tippin, Yogie B & Keez, J-Lamo, Main.Key and DJ 1L. You can stream the tape below.
