About Us
Board Members
Karen Reece
President
Karen was born and raised in Madison. She does science by day and follows the music by night. As a classically-trained cellist and occasional singer, Karen has a great ear for music and a particular love for local rock and Hip-Hop. She loves to support local musicians who are grinding for the art. Attempts at moving away have been futile, but with raw talent like this all around, who cares? In Karen’s words, “Don’t sleep on the 608.”
Mark "ShaH" Evans
Vice-President
ShaH eats, sleeps and breathes Hip-Hop, and has been booking local and national acts for years. He is the owner of music blog, Get Your Buzz Up.com and ME Management and Consulting. ShaH also speaks about positive life choices with youth and young adults in Madison and surrounding areas.
Pacal "DJ Pain 1" Bayley
Treasurer
Known for his production on Young Jeezy’s platinum-selling album The Recession, producer Pacal “DJ Pain 1” Bayley stays busy. His journey started in the late 90’s while cultivating hip-hop sensibilities through visual art, DJing, and beat-making. He balanced a career in youth service/teaching with creating music, oftentimes marrying the two – he co-founded the first hip-hop performing arts program housed in an institute of higher education in Madison. Once he decided to focus on his production career, his resume quickly grew to include both legendary hip-hop acts (Public Enemy, MC Lyte) as well as contemporary hit-makers (Rae Sremmurd, 2 Chainz, 50 Cent). He has also garnered attention for his online video series on production and music business know-how.
Rob "Dz" Franklin
Board Member
Rob Dz combines elements of jazz, funk, gospel and house to shape is his Adult Contemporary Hip Hop sound. He has performed alongside Hip Hop royalty including Nas, Eminem, Common, Talib Kweli, Naughty By Nature, Dead Prez and others. He has appeared on ESPN’s Midnight Madness Special as well being selected as a national semi-finalist on MTV’s Ultimate Hip Hop Talent Search. In 2016 he was named the community recipient of The National Medal Of Honor for Library and Museum Service for his youth work focusing on Hip Hop and digital literacy. In 2017, he was inducted into The Library Of Congress American Folklife Center and The National Museum of African American History and Culture as a member of The Story Corps program.
Corey Whitmore
Board Member, Artistic Innovation Coordinator
Corey Whitmore, better known as C-Dub or Dash D.U.B. is the founder and owner of the Milwaukee-based independent record label Duce Duce Entertainment. Dash D.U.B is not only an emcee but a songwriter, producer, and studio engineer. Born in Harrisburg, PA, Dash has lived up and down the east coast and in the Midwest, in Maine, Maryland, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin, before starting his music career in Milwaukee, WI. While attending college at Marquette University, Dash D.U.B was an intern at a local independent record label called BNN. After gaining experience there, he decided to officially start his own record label called Duce Duce Entertainment in the year of 2005. The first studio Duce Duce Ent operated out of was located near the streets of 22nd and Wells in Milwaukee, hence the name Duce Duce!!
Tyler Brunsell
Creative Strategy Coordinator
Tyler Brunsell is a creative professional whose journey is deeply rooted in Hip-Hop and its culture of self-expression and community. After discovering his passion for music and digital arts in high school, he spent two years as a high school paraprofessional assisting in Hip-Hop workshops. As an emcee, Tyler immersed himself in Madison’s independent music scene, writing and recording as a solo artist and co-founding Supa Friends, a Hip-Hop group which hosted open mics and showcases to spotlight and share the stage with a variety of local artists. Tyler is a self-taught graphic designer, creating event flyers and websites. He assists with audio and video podcast production at local multimedia company, Media 22.
In 2021, Tyler joined Urban Community Arts Network (UCAN), a nonprofit advocating for equity in Madison’s music ecosystem, where he has served in roles such as middle school teaching artist, administrative support, and project management. Now serving as the Creative Strategy Coordinator for Greater Madison Music City, a collective impact project led by UCAN, he leads initiatives to position music as a key driver of tourism in Madison.
Bradley "DLO" Thomas
Board Member
Bradley “DLO” Thomas is a producer/Emcee from Madison, WI. As a performing artist Thomas has shared stages with national and regional artists including The Game, Nipsey Hustle, Rob Dz, Digable Planets, DJ Kool Herc, Clyde Stubblefield, Common, and Talib Kweli.
Thomas holds a Bachelors in Marketing and MBA from Edgewood College.
Rebecca "Bosslady" Barber
Board Member
Rebecca Barber, better known as “Boss Lady”, hosts the Universal Soul Explosion, Saturday nights, on 89.9 FM WORT and is also a WORT Board Member and involved in the Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts of the station. Having been on air for over 13 years, she has a passion for music and community. She also works with Nehemiah Re-Entry as the Housing Coordinator for formerly incarcerated men. Boss Lady believes that music connects people, both in freedom and behind the walls. She supports local artists, musicians, creative arts, dance, and has a deep love for hip hop.