Friday December 18th, 2009
Live On North 2028 E. North Ave, Milwaukee, WI
21+, Admission TBA (www.liveonnorth.com/)

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Josh Elder (of Eclipse Produktions) and Milwaukee’s Lockdown Productions, in association with Chicago Marketing and PR firm Ground Lift Media, proudly present 1773’s triumphant return to Milwaukee. Back in September, they rocked BBC Upper Level with Chicago’s The Gents and Milwaukee’s Jonathan Frost. Once again, they’re bringing together some of the Midwest’s best hip-hop, this time they’re headlining the night’s festivities in support of their new album Return of the New (Soulspazm Records). Supporting them will be Chicago-via-Milwaukee MC Gerald Walker, who landed on URB’s Next 1000 list last year. Also representing Milwaukee will be local MCs Big Caption and Yola, a Grimetime battle veteran who recently featured on Tay Butler’s “Umbrellas Up.”

1773 Bio:
Multitasking as MCs, singers, producers, & instrumentalists, 1773 [Pronounced Seventeen Seventy-Three] originated in 2004 as an occasional venture between Just J & Moral One (respectively, lead MC and drummer of the live Hip-Hop band Berto Ramon) and their longtime friend Wisdm O.N.E.. But in two short years the group evolved into a full-fledged endeavor and a highly regarded live performance act who has shared stages with Wiz Khalifa, Lyrics Born, Blackalicious, Pigeon John, L.A. Symphony, SoulStice, Tanya Morgan, Ohmega Watts, Othello, Braille, Blu & Exile. Their 2006 self-titled debut earned them props (and an 83/100) from Okayplayer, who wrote that the group “goes beyond the stodgy expectations of positive rap… never sacrific[ing] dope emceeing for their message to the community.”

But 1773 are calling Return of the New (Soulspazm Records), technically a sophomore album, their ‘real debut’. The group agrees this album is a truer portrait of their musical selves. “Our first album was the learning experience, on Return of the New we’re a bit more seasoned and concerned with sonic reinvention,” states MC Wisdm O.N.E. The new release reveals 1773 over fuzzy bass lines and crackly drums reminiscent of vintage Jay Dee and Pete Rock. A prestigious selection of renowned beat makers contributes their skills to the album including Othello, Ohmega Watts, and Siamese Sisters. Combined, these talented producers create an ideal musical platform for the duo to speak over.

Gerald Walker Bio:
Chicago-via-Milwaukee singer/MC Gerald Walker has been building a steady buzz since he started dropping mixtapes at age 17. He borrows liberally from both rock and hip-hop, but as URB says, “Walker’s delivery and style are all his own.” After the magazine hand-selected him as one of their Next 1000 Artists of 2009, Walker released Gerald Walker’s Evening Out With Your Girlfriend (presented by illroots x 2dopeboyz.com) in September, a mixtape that features beats lifted from Matt & Kim, Arctic Monkeys, and Will I Am. The single “Everything That People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” followed in early November 2009.