Chicago hip hop blog
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Maushéa and Kai Akili Team up for a Jazzy Affair on “Only (Remix)” (Extensive Review)
From Common back in the ’90s to present day artists such as Saba and Noname, Chicago has a long-standing history of jazz-rap. Recently adding to this tradition are Black Tide Entertainment MC’s Maushéa and Kai Akili with their single, “Only (Remix).” This recently released cut is a reimagining of the track “Only,” which appeared on…
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RhymSter Shows off his Versatility on “Ghost (remix)’
Patience and persistence. These are two virtues that Chicago mainstay RhymSter has used to guide himself throughout the duration of his career in the local underground. And with the release of his new single, “Ghost (remix),” these two guiding principles appear to be serving him well. RhymSter took the original cut of this track, which was…
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The History Of Hip Hop: The Early Years (PART 1)
Hip hop heads around the globe can thank early New York street gangs for the existence of their favorite genre. Let me explain before you log off… In the 1950’s, New York gangs took over Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, and wars were mostly found over territory and women. They were often divided by…
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Mani Jurdan Drops Brief But Powerful Visual – ‘AL0T(R3B!RTH)’
If you want an overview of Mani Jurdan, look no further than his latest music video AL0T(R3B!RTH). He lyrically flexes over 21 Savage and J .Cole’s collab with personal and poignant lyrics, a strong delivery, and confident flow. The record is only 1 minute long, but lays out all that Mani can accomplish as an emcee.…
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Musa Reems Kicks off “Musa Mondays” with “Quarter Juice”
Man, Musa Reems just won’t let up. Fresh off the release of his confessional opus, “Dear Winter,” Reems is already back with new music, and this new cut, “Quarter Juice,” is every bit as gruff sounding as its predecessor. The trap-influenced instrumental, produced by WestEnd Beats, is aggressive and intimidating. The trap percussion snaps, creating…
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Music Overload: How Much Is Too Much?
When I joined Apple Music in 2016 I was awestruck at how many albums I could listen to without having to illegally download them. Mixtapes were always my forte unless I heard about, say, a Freddie Gibbs x Madlib collaboration that I couldn‘t wait to cop. I even set the date on my iPhone, looked out for…
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FFD Premiere: Da$Htone, L.A. Van Gogh & Manasseh – Frozen (New Music Video)
Another premiere is upon us on this rainy Monday morning. Chicago Hip Hop/Jazz group Da$Htone has linked up with Chicago’s own local legend L.A. Van Gogh and vocalist Manasseh for music video Frozen. The visual is an oddball for sure, but still a humorous and ironic take on how to push past fears and doubts when…
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Singer, Songwriter & Producer Shantina Lynet’ Warms Hearts With Her Latest ‘Force of Nature’
Jam heavy tracks are not to be dismissed, especially on a Saturday. Chicago singer/songwriter/producer Shantina Lynet’ is one of those soulful singers that instantly warms your heart. Her latest, Force of Nature, is over 4 minutes of pure joy. The song is a fresh take on intimacy – following primal instincts when we’re around the one we…
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