A Milwaukee bar is facing backlash after leaked text messages showed a manager telling its DJs they could no longer play a list of artists, all of whom are Black hip-hop and rap performers, including a specific ban on Milwaukee rap.
The Garage, a popular bar on Brady Street known for local DJs, became the center of controversy after a video of a supposed “no play list” surfaced online.
TMJ4 obtained text messages that an alleged manager of The Garage sent on August 15th. The text message was to several employees and said in part, effective immediately, they could no longer play a list of specific artists. The message stated the directive came from ownership and that “failure to comply will result in a loss of gigs.”
The text included a photo of a “no play list” featuring 41 rap and hip-hop artists, all of whom are Black. The same list was later seen on video at The Garage, laminated and duct-taped to the DJ table.
The list also included the phrase “NO MILWAUKEE RAP.”
Wave Chapelle, a Milwaukee rapper, said the ban felt personal…