Royal Purple

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Lifestyle

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Harries

Antwan Harries,22-year-old senior, does it all. While most students are at the bars, he's performing at concerts or at parties promoting his work. While other students are playing casual Frisbee in their front yards, he's playing semi-professional football with the Burlington Blue Devils. While some students are off finding random hook-ups, Harries is taking care of his wife and child. On top of that, he's graduating in three and a half years and works 16 hours-a-week.

His friends know him as Antwan or "Twan," but with more than 1,000 copies of his first album, Hustle to Finish Vol. 1: From the East of the Mil sold, many recognize him by his rap name "Young Kid."

Harries had a show last Wednesday night for the WSUM Fund Drive. He booked all the acts for it.

As we chatted at Pumper's, I barely started asking questions and Harries began listing off journalistic essentials.

"I'm used to this," he said.

I've had friends in bands, but I'd never really gotten to talk to an actual rapper. Harries seemed to be the real thing. Although he grew up in what he referred to as "the hood," he doesn't uphold the usual stereotypes of a gangster rapper. If 50 Cent getting shot nine times is what makes him reputable, then Harries' ability to balance family, school and the music industry is what makes him more reputable.

One opening artist, Sam "Big Sam" Wright characterized Young Kid as "a real artist."

Wright said artists like himself and Harries are sick of the "whatever's hot" artists like Soulja Boy or Flo Rida. They want to create rap legends again.

One of Harries' greatest influences was Tupac because he felt their pasts are similar in dealing with the issues of violence and drug-abuse while growing up.

Harries is a social work major and a coaching minor, but he is also an up and coming entrepreneur. Truhustlacity is his record label. He's even got an official office in his house. Currently, he has signed one artist, High Ace, and has six artists in his entourage he calls the "hustla camp." Each artist must prove their seriousness in the rap game before Harries will sign contracts with them.

Harries was present in all the rap acts that night, whether he was right up front swaying to the beat or under the microphone laying down background vocals. During his own performance he was energetic and almost overtaken by the music; his passion showed.

Though Harries seems almost too young to own his own record label, he's no stranger to music.

"I've been doing music since age 13, recording since age 17 and performing since age 18," he said.

Harries is from the east side of Milwaukee - not the suburbs, straight up Milwaukee. He was involved in gangs for most of his teenage life, from age 13 to 18. He left all that behind when he came to UW-Whitewater. His close friend Ray E. Wood helped influence him to choose the college path.

The prevalent theme of being a "hustla" in Harries' work represented everything he's done and has to do to maintain everyday life. He describes himself as a "hustla" because he has what it takes to survive, in life and in his rap career.

His favorite track of his is called "Getting Mo."

"I heard the beat and the music, and the lyrics just came to me," Harries said.

It captures the thoughts of always wanting to better onesself and showing people from "the hood" that he's doing well and is never looking back.

Harries has been married for two years to his wife Courtney. His daughter, Aurea, was born three months ago.

Harries said he didn't think Courtney liked him being away so much for his music.

"I'm an artist now, but sometimes I let my wife have the fun and I stay home."

Catch Young Kid's next show at the Rox Sports Bar in Jefferson on April 26. The doors open at 8 p.m.

Though being an aspiring rapper has brought Harries money, fame, a reputation and "the awesome feeling of people knowing your name" he takes his work very seriously.

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