AyooLii

Like with fellow Milwaukee native Certified Trapper, dropping music seems as integral to AyooLii’s daily routine as eating and sleeping. Found on the rapper-producer’s YouTube page is a nearly endless cascade of EPs and bite-sized music videos, which typically consist of AyooLii and his friends busting moves in walk-in pantries, unfinished basements, and stairwells. Though he usually produces his own instrumentals, AyooLii’s best work stems from his frequent collaborations with local beatmaker ThatguyEli, who puts an experimental spin on his city’s signature clap-heavy sound with unusual time signatures and eerie arpeggios. “Smackin Crackin” showcases the duo’s chemistry at its most potent, as AyooLii’s overlapping one-liners stream through a tinny synth loop that sounds like a malfunctioning arcade cabinet. “Fuck a 9-to-5,” he raps, cordless drill in hand. “Got to get it on my own, I’m my own damn employee.” From his carpentry vlogs to his impromptu video shoots in mundane locations, AyooLii is the embodiment of Milwaukee’s DIY ethos. As long as there’s recording equipment within reach, he’ll find artistic potential in any setting.