A local Brady Street bar, “The Garage,” has gone viral after social media posts seemingly coming from the bar, listed a ban on primarily Black rap and artists.
Brady Street’s nightlife has been spiraling for years, and Milwaukee keeps ignoring the issue. Part of the problem is in the chaos that certain music encourages in an already unstable environment.
Brady Street is no stranger to drama, but this week’s viral incident hit different. A list allegedly posted by an employee at The Garage banned dozens of rap artists that are mostly mainstream Black rappers. Of course social media exploded with accusations of race and discrimination.
According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Adrienne Davis, the list named artists like Lil Wayne, Future, 21 Savage, GloRilla, Lil Baby, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and Migos. The list ended with “No Milwaukee Rap” in bold.
Co‑owner Leslie Montemurro later clarified the list was not approved by ownership, and that the bar’s actual goal was to get rid of violent, aggressive music to create a relaxed vibe.
They didn’t want to ban rap or Black artists. They simply wanted to ban violence in playlists.
Brady Street has enough problems without adding fuel to the fire. Anyone who lives or visits here sees the fights, the reckless driving, the crowds that turn volatile fast.
We don’t need music that glorifies violence, chaos, and disrespect. That’s encouraging the violence we are seeing in our entertainment districts.
Today’s rap culture, especially mainstream trap music, has been on a downward spiral for decades. Not all rap, but most rap. The imagery is predictable with fast cars, illegal guns, cash flashing, women bent over being called every name in the book.
How are young girls supposed to grow into confident, respectable women when the most visible “role models” in music videos are treated like garbage? How are young boys supposed to learn respect when their favorite artists brag about violence, crime, and misogyny?
There is positive Christian rap and artists who uplift. But they don’t dominate the airwaves, and they definitely don’t dominate Milwaukee’s nightlife.
In Milwaukee just last week, two local rappers, Dequaiseon Evans (Lil Sheisty) and Quentene Williams (Funny $Money) were shot and killed inside a recording studio.
Milwaukee has a rap video show, “414 Video Spotlight. It comes on Saturdays at midnight on WCGV Channel 24. It’s a show that’s been around for decades, and you’ll see the same formula every week fast cars, lots of cash, half‑naked women, and recycled lyrics. No originality. No growth. No message. Some of the videos are shot in the entertainment areas of the city.
It’s exhausting. It’s embarrassing. And it’s dangerous. For parents it shows what we are up against right in our own backyard.
If a business wants to create a safer, more respectful environment, why are we attacking them? Why are we demanding they play music that encourages the same behavior we deplore?
I don’t want to be called a “bitch” while I’m trying to enjoy a night out. I don’t want to hear lyrics about murder while I’m sitting with friends. I don’t want to watch fights break out because the music is basically a battle cry for war.
A bar trying to elevate the atmosphere should be applauded, not dragged.
If The Garage had held its ground, I believe many people would have supported them. Instead, they caved to the loudest voices, the same ones who keep Brady Street from becoming safe, enjoyable, and truly welcoming.
