"Her name windy, and she like to blow trees..."

Chicago-ans ‘til Chicago ends and they blow like Chicago Wind…
Written by K. Billy

In part two of my Chi-town series, I want to take the time out to highlight some of the most influential acts to come out of the Windy City. A couple you may have heard of, maybe not. Though the list is only 4 deep, these 4 are probably going to have some pretty interesting, if not great careers. Hip-hop’s future looks bright on the shoulders of these four Chicago-ans.

1. I’ll start with the Kidz in the Hall. If you’ve been reading PTM, you might have seen them mentioned a few times in some of our posts or when gWiz throws something lovely up on here for you to download. For good reason, Naledge and Double O are making quite the name for themselves and the UPenn graduates sure do know how to throw an album release party. I can tell you I personally attended their shindig at S.O.B’s in NYC last night and it was quite the show. They exude both an innocence/purity and experience that can only come from being groomed in hip-hop at an Ivy League institution. Their sophmore album: The In Crowd should do well because of it.
Notable Tracks:
Drivin’ Down the Block
Love Hangover Featuring Estelle
The In Crowd

Inner Me

2. This one is a no-brainer. Lupe Fiasco had been doing his thing on the mix tape scene since 3 or 4 years ago and his debut album, 2006’s Food And Liquor, made believers out of a lot of people. In all honesty, he may be the reason that people are really checking the Chi for good hip-hop now (sorry, Ye). His frantic wordplay, undeniable intelligence and clever metaphors make Mr. Fiasco one of the best MC’s in the game, let alone the Chi. His second album The Cool served to further raise his level of prominence and I am sure many fans are salivating as they wait for his third and possibly final, studio album – L.U.P.End – to drop.

Notable Tracks:
Switch
Put You On Game

We Just Might Be Okay
Gotta Eat
Hip-Hop Saved My Life

3. Two weeks ago, I talked about Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish, otherwise known as The Cool Kids. But, self-important titles aside, these kids are really cool. Granted, they lack the lyrical complexity of fellow Chi-town up-and-comers Kidz in the Hall, but, quite simply, the sheer dopiness of their production more than makes up for that. That’s not to say these dudes can’t put a rhyme together, either. It’s truly homage to the days of Eric B. and Rakim (not comparing them mind you) or Kool Moe Dee. Their style is very 80’s but the effect is definitely exponentially more immediate.

Notable Tracks:
Black Mags
Gold and A Pager
‘88

Gettin’ It Featuring Lil Wayne
I Rock

4. Kid Sister is another artist that Kanye seemed to help materialize out of the blue when he appeared on her smash single “Pro Nails.” Homage to around the way girls nationwide, this song truly exemplifies Melissa Young’s style. A light speed flow and seamless weaving through subject matter too can characterize her. MC Lyte she isn’t, but she employs her own quirky style, incorporating a lot of synths and high tempo house/trance-style music and it really does match her persona. You can watch her in a video or listen to her over a dope track like “Control” and really feel as if she’s authentic and that’s possibly where her draw mostly lies: her ability to be relatable without really trying. Admittedly, she may not appeal to everyone as she is way left of center, but she makes you dance, she makes you bob your head with the music and most importantly, she makes you want to have fun. In the end, isn’t that what hip-hop is all about?

Notable Tracks
Beeper
Pro Nails Featuring Kanye West

Switchboard
Control

Trying to encapsulate the whole of Chicago’s influence on the music in two posts and a 4-point list isn’t really doing it justice, but it’s definitely evident that we are seeing a major movement happening out there, independent of mainstays like Kanye West, Common and Twista. It’s a welcome shift though and I can only hope cats like the aforementioned continue to put pressure on the other regions around the country to put out seriously good rap music. Only time will tell, but, for now, I’ll hang my hat on the four acts right here.