Danny Leonard and Michael Penn II, known as Lord of the Fly and CRASHprez respectively, are two Madison-based rap artists joining forces as LORDprez for their Revelry performance Saturday. Both artists came to the UW-Madison on the First Wave scholarship program for young musicians, helping them persevere their commencement into the music world.
Leonard, born in Chapel Hill, N.C., made the move to Madison feeling very welcomed by the music community he had recently dove into. Leonard has loved the influence and community thriving in the city, but he also recognizes its flaws, which becomes an important topic for him on the mic. Leonard’s determination to improve as a musician is commendable, but his resolve to improve those around him is the real drive behind Lord of the Fly’s significance, informing The Daily Cardinal earlier this year, “My purpose is to help the people around me pursue their passion, be in control of what they want. Be lord of their flies.”
Penn conveys the art of storytelling through harsh reality and lyrical finesse. Born in Washington, D.C., Penn’s migration to Madison changed his perspective as an artist as well as what music meant to him. As a young black male, his skin color became a symbol of juxtaposition in Madison’s predominantly white campus. Penn is aware of the social injustice surrounding his race, and the commentary he makes on the subject has become his greatest weapon. With the killings of Mike Brown and Eric Garner and several more police violence issues all dawning within the last year, Penn’s messages have never been more relevant and impactful.
His newest album more perfect. is passionately savage, expressing the struggles of an artist suffocating from the plagues of racial issues and corrupt politics. His work is highly satirical and aggressively on point, pulling no punches as he eviscerates the thoughts tormenting his soul.
The collaboration of these young musicians is sure to hit their audience on many levels. With lyrics that’ll pierce hearts with invigorating activism and beats to match the chaotic energy, LORDprez have a number of diverse ways to approach this show. No matter how you look at it, Lord of the Fly and CRASHprez have claimed their stake in Madison, and are sure to tear it down at Revelry this weekend.
Michael Penn II is a member of The Daily Cardinal Editorial Board.
