On the latest installment of our podcast series, YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW we chop it up with exemplary Milwaukee MC, NileXNile. From his early days beatboxing in the lunchroom at Atlas Preparatory Academy to becoming a "Crown Jewel" of the Milwaukee music scene, NilexNile’s journey is a masterclass in staying true to your creative pulse. In this episode of Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, the Fat Nerds co-founder reflects on the "aha" moments that defined his path—from witnessing the power of rhythm to captivate a rowdy crowd of students to the pivotal realization that he wanted to be a star after singing along to Usher as a child. His sound is a diverse "gumbo" of influences, rooted in his mother's love for icons like Whitney Houston and Beyoncé and his father's collection of raw hip-hop legends like NWA and Snoop Dogg.

Despite early struggles as a "bad student" in a traditional academic setting, Nile found a lifeline through teachers like Mr. Myers, who recognized his notebook full of raps as a sign of true passion rather than a lack of discipline. This encouragement led to a life-changing pivot to the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, where he successfully auditioned with a rap and began proving his skeptics wrong. Today, Nile remains grounded by an "underdog" mentality, balancing his artistic evolution with the reality of a part-time gig to "feed the beast" of his creative career while staying focused on health and his signature "Pastel Views".

In this edition of Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Milwaukee’s own 414 Big Frank (@414bigfrank) sits down for a conversation that balances viral superstardom with the grounded humor of the North Side. The interview moves chronologically through Frank's journey, beginning with his upcoming performance alongside Bossman DLow on February 28th, where he admits he still gets "the butterflies" before hitting the stage. He reflects on his early roots on 49th and Locust, describing how childhood sessions cleaning the house to the Gap Band and Isley Brothers instilled a "feel-good" rhythm in his DNA—though he jokingly notes the soul legends didn't use as much profanity as he does today. Frank also credits the young success of Bow Wow as his primary inspiration to start rapping at age nine, leading to a career where he now "crowdsources" his creative process by DMing fans directly to ask what they want to hear next.

The conversation takes a hilarious turn as Frank details the "real-life" facts of his success, from his self-admitted "bad habit" for casino gambling to his refusal to pay $98 for a couple of oxtail orders at local spots. He shares the wild story behind his massive hit "There It Is," revealing that he actually lied to producer Sonny Lou for days about finishing the track before finally recording it entirely at home. Frank gets candid about his "Yesterday" challenges, including a year-long Instagram ban that occurred right after Lil Uzi Vert DMed him for his number, and his drive to provide a "realistic" path for his two children. Closing out with a look at "Tomorrow," Frank teases an upcoming experimental album and emphasizes that his ultimate goal isn't just viral fame, but making sure the world knows the genuine, positive person behind the music.

In this episode of Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, State Senator LaTonya Johnson joins Anthony Foster for a powerful conversation that tracks her journey from a three-room shack in rural Tennessee to the upper chamber of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Senator Johnson shares many jewels and gems of a life lived with authenticity, from her grandmother’s humor about taking half their small town with them when they moved to Milwaukee, to her college days at Tennessee State University where she navigated the culture shock of her first HBCU experience. She offers a raw look at her decade as a 24-hour childcare provider, explaining how her personal mission to support working families eventually led her to trade her daycare center for a seat in Madison.

The discussion also dives into the "ass-backwards" way she entered politics—winning her first election with no money and no professional flyers, but a whole lot of heart and door-knocking. Senator Johnson opens up about the "imposter syndrome" she felt early on and why she believes her lived experiences with poverty and community struggle are her greatest assets as a legislator. Whether she's reminiscing about the first record player in her family home or describing the shock of winning her seat without an official victory party, Senator Johnson proves that she is a leader who truly understands the rhythm and the reality of Milwaukee’s Sixth District.

An immersive, fun, revealing and honest conversation with a true crown jewel of our community, only on HYFIN!