Milwaukee’s Dilla, Dylan Thomas

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I like to think that I had a pretty good grasp of Milwaukee’s music scene before I started working for Seizure Chicken, but I’m realizing more and more that the Cream City has more unseen depth than Lake Michigan or, more obviously, the Milwaukee Depth.   Dylan Thomas is one of those creatures of the deep, someone out there, quietly putting out some of the best work in the nation, lurking in the shadows sine 1997, and only coming into daylight to drop and album or two, like a true hip-hop superhero.

Anyone familiar with the Umbrella Music Group, or early 20th century Welsh poetry, has probably heard Dylan’s work.  His beats are a sleek amalgam of classic soul samples, relaxed beats, and references to modern culture (song titles like, “Abe Linc,” “Dan Rather,” “2012″).   His mixtape And It Was Good is the ideal intro to not only his sound, but also the vocal cadences of Milwaukee’s newest crop of emcees.

It’s a disservice to call Thomas “Milwaukee’s Dilla,” because he’s not that derivative, but this is a music blog and hence we specialize in mediocre comparisons and superlatives.  So here’s a few tracks by the adept and original Dylan Thomas.  Enjoy the Wings samples.

Mp3: Dylan Thomas – Trapordie

Mp3: Dylan Thomas – Good Grief (ft. Haz Solo)

Mp3: Dylan Thomas – Shelly (ft. Wes Restless)