Melissa Czarnik
"With slammin- poetry, precise beats, and DIY authenticity, Czarnik is an inspiration to young MC-s everywhere." - Bitch Magazine

"Her musicality is inclusive enough to envelop folk, jazz and pop sensibilities in loops and live instrumentation...Czarnik may not be out to set the world ablaze as a female counterpart to Eminem, but she'll fire up listeners to grab notebooks and microphones and set their observations to sounds not beholden to any commercial R&B radio format." - Shepherd Express

Milwaukee based Melissa Czarnik (Zar-nik), recently released her first full-length hip-hop/poetry based album, Strawberry Cadillac (Hyperdrive Motivator Productions). When asked why she named her first album Strawberry Cadillac, Czarnik responded, -Cause Strawberry Buick just didn-t cut it!-

The 17 track, Strawberry Cadillac, is the product of a year long project which focuses on issues such as sexism, politics, relationships, and love. Mixing her interests in poetry and Hip Hop, her song diversity exemplifies a strong influence of artists such as Lauryn Hill, Ani Difranco, and french songstress, Edith Piaf.

Her style is a powerful mix of poetry, precise delivery, and conscious content in a voice that ranges from sweet and playful to commanding and scathing. The music that backs her up is the product of producer Eric Mire, a classically trained composer and pianist with decades of experience in both classical and popular mediums. Together, Mire and Czarnik have founded Hyperdrive Motivator Productions, a record label that prides itself on delivering conscious, original, and innovative music to it-s listeners.

Strawberry Cadillac blends live instrumentation with beat machines, electronics and guest appearances by some of Milwaukee-s most talented musicians. Collaborative appearances include, but are not limited to; Robin Pluer-s vocal stylings on Rue Lafayette, Robert Figueroa of Nabori-s latin percussion on Garden of Eden, and Maurice Cotton of Cotton Gin Music Productions- keys on Thunder Summer Storm and production of the Happy Song.

Thought provoking content is the foundation of Strawberry Cadillac. After spending two years in AmeriCorps as a Volunteer in Service to America and Public Ally, Czarnik worked for justice in areas such as poverty, k-12 education, the environment, and predatory lending. Her experience in these jobs is directly reflected in her lyrics.

Czarnik is the Marketing Director at Woodland Pattern Book Center, a non-profit destination book store. For her increasingly frequent shows, Czarnik performs live with the Eric Mire Band; a five-piece band made up of Eric Mire (vocals/guitar), Maurice Cotton (keys/bass), Don Bradshaw (latin percussion), Brad Bloom (sax), and Terence Pettigrew (drums).

Darlin Nikki
DARLIN NIKKI Janzen, poet, spoken word artist, gypsy bellydancer, mentor, teacher, lover of small animals, crutons and sandles. . . she has been called by some the Janis Joplin of Spoken word, by others the Tina Marie of poetry, as the daughter of an immigrant, she was thrust in to the white washing of America, and yearns to share her enlightenment of surviving as yourself in such a globalized world while trying to bridge gaps in such a racist, sexist world. She currently teaches for Milwaukee Public schools, while performing in and out of her home town Milwaukee, WI. BET viewed Slam BUsh Milwaukee winner, She has been on the Nation Slam Team for Milwaukee in 2005 and 2006, 2006 as the Grand Slam Champion. 2008 Women-s World Haiku Slam Champion; 2008 Women Worlds SLam Milwaukee Rep Her poetry chap books Dandelion and FLowers Bloom in Winter can be purchased at Broad Vocabulary or by mail order. . Her cd UNStiching the Sun, is now available for purchase. She is a member of Power of Word and also a Still Waters Collective certified Poet. . .Her work is used to inspire, teach and express the emotions that have propelled her to spread Words of Wisdom.

Ryan Hurley
Ryan Hurley is an up and coming spoken word poet and member of the 2009 Milwaukee Slam Team. Currently he works as the program coordinator for Arts at Large.