Humans of Dane County | Awkwordp

Sean Stephens has been on probation for ten years. This is the first statement he told me when I asked, “can you tell me a little bit about yourself?” Sean details his methamphetamine possession and use, theft and burglaries, which led to an arrest in 2019 and incarceration. When several cruiser sirens sailed by, he expressed his indignation toward the police and resentment toward the Wisconsin Justice System. 

 

However, this is not only who Sean is. Rather, Sean is also known as Awkword P – his producer name. A Platteville native, Sean moved to Madison, WI, to attend the Madison Media Institute in 2011 to become more educated in his lifelong pursuit of becoming a sound engineer and producer. Sean’s face lights up as a smile curls the corner of his mouth when he shows off his tattoo of an upside eighth note that lives on his right cheekbone. Sean describes the palpable way he listens to music seeing shapes and colors change as chord progressions shift.  

 

Working through his probation, Sean reflects on these experiences with a glass-half-full attitude. He expressed his growth in patience and resilience. This helps him push through shortcomings and obstacles he faces through his recovery and navigating through the Wisconsin Justice System. This patience helps him create music, work to grow his company Awkword Productions or simply wait on a bench on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus waiting for his girlfriend to get done with her shift at the post office.