MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A popular Brady Street bar remains closed after receiving backlash from residents and local artists over a "no play list" that went viral online.

For Milwaukee artist Ishmail Ali, known as IshDARR, music is his passion and something he loves sharing with the Milwaukee community. So when he was at one of his favorite bars, The Garage on Brady Street, he was shocked by what he found.

CBS 58

"I look down and I just see the duct tape and list, and I'm like, 'Oh s***, this is real,'" Ali said.

Ali said the list posted at the DJ booth included several Black artists under a "no play list," along with a note reading "NO MILWAUKEE RAP" in bold, capital letters.

"It felt like a slap in the face to us," Ali said. "Like I said, being Black myself, being an artist, it's kind of like a do not enter sign, or it kind of looks standoffish to us."

The Garage responded on social media, saying ownership spoke with the employee who issued the list and that it was not approved by ownership.

The bar said its intention was to eliminate music with lyrics referencing violence or guns, but acknowledged that creating a list of specific artists was the wrong approach.

"At this time, we need to be together," Ali said. "I feel like from the establishments to the artists, it's just about creating a better environment for all of us."

Sources told CBS 58 News that the owners sent a message to employees saying the bar would be closed for two weeks and employees would be compensated during the closure.

CBS 58 reached out to The Garage for more information about the closure and its plans moving forward but has not yet received a response.