TheMIND adds an otherworldly sound to the Chicago scene. His complex production style lifts his poetic singing style to another dimension. His lyrics are on point, and his singing voice even reminds me of Frank Ocean at times, but his beats are what bring his sound together. He did study at Colombia.
I love the artist’s creativity and experimentation on Summer Camp. From his complex lyrics to the carefully placed vocal samples, unorthodox drum patterns, addicting clicks and beeps, impossibly jazzy synths and environmentally friendly sound effects, theMIND is a genius for this project. Those are some critical features too. Get you some education from the young king.
Chance The Rapper is currently the most talented Hip Hop artist outta Chicago, Illinois (May 12, 2016). His flow and ideas are progressive, but not without his own personality. Old heads will hate this album. The artist doesn’t conform to archaic rap stereotypes. Chance keeps it street with a book smart perspective. That’s Midwest style.
For the last couple weeks, we’ve been waiting on edge to hear more about his Chance 3 project… I love it! This is just a sample of what’s to come for the poet, emcee, dancer, educator and leader too. The Coloring Book album is the creation of a young god with genius level brainpower. Plenty of soul and collaboration on this to follow his SURF,Acid Rap and 10 Day albums.
GOOD to see Chance and Kanye working together, regardless of how ya feel about the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star. Both have been critical in bringing the EDM to the jazzy and funky Chicago Hip Hop, which has since spread out to Wisconsin, Missouri and many other parts of the re-surging Midwest music scene.
Chance The Rapper pushes the boundaries of race, class, gender, religion and music. Hip Hop and humanitarianism can be one and the same. This is much bigger than Southside Chi.
From “All We Got” :
“I get my word from the sermon I do not talk to the serpent That’s the holistic discernment Daddy said I’m so determined”
Defcee impresses on his second full-length solo project (December 14, 2015). At first listen, Damn Near Grown is one of the most complete albums I’ve heard this year. For more on the Chicago-based First Wave alumnus, read my last post on his “Pleasantville II” cut.
Mick Jenkins proves that he’s at the forefront of new wave Chicago Hip Hop with The Water[s]. Now, there are a lot of new wave Drill rappers in Chicago, a lot of people tryna get on after Yeezy linked with King Louie and Chief Keef. But if that’s the local definition of unsigned hype, Mick’s ability to move beats with sincere messages makes him more of a poet than a rapper. Mick Jenkins is a rapper from Chicago, but he and a group of others in the area are leaning more into the Jazz roots of the Windy City streets than the surrounding gangland. This mixtape is Dasani clear that it’s a part of something else – a beautiful project filled with smooth flows and life lessons – a wavy set of artistic records worthy of applause. Mick has elevated beyond local emcee to leader of a new sound with this one.
The follow up Wave[s] is set to be released on August 21, 2015.
Donnie Trumpet and Chance The Rapper‘s group The Social Experiment piece together a beautiful and complex work of art for the city – Surf (May 28, 2015). The gang is getting more clouted up now, so they were able to get some other rappers on there too. More than anything, this shows a bright future for Hip Hop in a land that could use some shine. The trumpeter is a coo nuance.
John Walt dropped his debut mixtape Get Happy 2.0 on December 17, 2013. The massive project from the Chicago West Sider is blissful with the Jazz, in light of the drill presence on the South Side.
The rapper-singer is a part of Pivot Gang, a collective consisting of him, SABA, Melo and Joseph Chilliams.
