Call & Response: Jordan Lee
(5 min read)
The 88Nine Radio Milwaukee organization has been an incredible partner of ours in the community for years. We recently finished their sonic logo and thought it’d be a good time for you to meet their Program Director, Jordan Lee.
Jordan is a passionate guy and it comes across in his work at the station and this interview. He talks with us about where his love of Hip Hop comes from, why stay in Milwaukee, and he also gives us some choice musical recommendations.
Photo courtesy of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
LAB NOTES (LN): If you had to boil your musical journey into one sentence, what would it be? (Run-on sentences accepted and encouraged.)
Jordan Lee (JL): From creator to presenter and back to creator again.
LN: You are an absolute Hip Hop aficionado (in our opinion). Where does your love of Hip Hop come from?
JL: During my "coming of age" years, I hated rap and hip hop. I was into punk, metal and ska. It wasn't until I discovered scratch DJing that I found myself going back into the genre. I got really deep after high school, and studying Hip Hop history became such an intense focus for me that I dropped out of college. I still love the unique American story of Hip Hop, and it's cultural impact. I also learned so much about society, culture and politics through rap.
My favorite part of Hip Hop music, and the reason I continue to study it, is that it is a unique American sub-culture, that spread all over the globe and became mainstream culture.
LN: Can you walk us through your journey in radio? What is the best part of being with 88Nine?
JL: I began my love affair with radio on accident. I was actively DJing in Milwaukee with both the Rusty Pelicans and my DJ crew Fader Grimmlins (Kid Cut Up, John Swan and HejFund). WMSE's Late Night Hype Show was a staple for me. I was in there from time to time as a guest DJ. When the fellas decided to end the show after a decade, Kid Cut Up and I were asked to take it over. I began my first radio show then. A year later 88NINE signed on. I was friends with Marcus and the (Late-Great) Rock Dee. They got me involved in 88NINE. From there, the rest is history. I was attracted to working with 88NINE right away, because there was already so much passion and authenticity. I STILL feel that way today.
LN: Why Milwaukee? Why not Chicago, New York, Atlanta, or LA?
JL: When I was younger, I wanted to be a big fish in a smaller pond. Now, I see the things that make Milwaukee "small" as my favorite parts of our city. Low cost of living, virtually no traffic, natural beauty, and ease of access to great things. I have friends in NYC, LA, ATL and they are all doing well for themselves in the industry, but they all complain about these problems.
LN: You recently produced a new podcast through 88Nine called “Backspin: The Search for Milwaukee’s First Hip Hop Song.” What are your biggest takeaways from that experience? Any unexpected discoveries? (no spoilers!)
JL: We thought this was going to be an article at first. Just write up a post about this record from 1982. It was so much more complicated than that. The main takeaway from this podcast is culture vs. product. This clash has existed in Hip Hop since "Rapper's Delight" was released in '79. My favorite part of Hip Hop music, and the reason I continue to study it, is that it is a unique American sub-culture, that spread all over the globe and became mainstream culture.
LN: What inspires you?
JL: My kids. All four of them are unique in their own way. I am constantly amazed by them.
LN: What music are you listening to right now?
JL:
Little Brother - May The Lord Watch
Ximena Sariñana - ¿Dónde Bailarán Las Niñas?
Theo Croker - Star People Nation
LN: What do you do when you’re not at the station?
JL: Cook. I love making healthy and delicious food for my family and friends. Just made a batch of Kimchi last night, it's about to be time for some Bimimbap.
LN: If you were trapped on a desert island, what 5 albums could you not live without?
JL:
Stevie Wonder - Songs in The Key of Life
Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Swiss Movement
Bob Marley - Uprising
A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
The Clash - London Calling
LN: What are three things about you that wouldn’t want left out of your Wikipedia page?
JL: Father, DJ, Friend.