P some, the new year is the perfect opportunity to reinvent themselves. Hints the phrase “new year, new me.” But for KiaGotaChoppa, the new year was the perfect time for new music. The Chicago-based artist kicked off the first quarter with her latest release entitled Aw.
Despite being delayed Aw was worth the wait. Aw is eight tracks of a smart combination of sexy, sassy, street lyrics over production that screams Chicago. This project is a perfect example of how women have the rap game in a chokehold. KiaGotaChoppa carries the project with no features and leaves nothing to be desired.
Though January 4, was not the original release date, Aw came at the perfect time. KiaGotaChoppa certainly started 2024 on the right foot.
On August 19, Chance The Rapper took a sold out crowd of his hometown fan on a journey through his career to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the mixtape that catapulted Chance into superstardom: Acid Rap.
Acid Rap Ten Year has had Chicago abuzz all summer and that all came to ahead when Chance The Rapper performed at the United Center for the first time in four years. The near west arena was filled to the brim with electric energy, conversations about the ability to perform songs from a place in life Chance no longer resides, and the emotions that connect fans to the music. The West Chatham native not only brought the city out in terms of fans, but the celebrities were in no short supply either. Fans, friends, and Chance’s family celebrated the ten year anniversary of Acid Rap reciting the album and a host of Chance The Rapper’s other memorable songs word for word.
In true icon fashion Chance performed with a live band. Chicagoans were engulfed in the authentic Acid Rap experience when Chance The Rapper was joined by Noname, Saba, Vic Mensa, and Twista throughout the show. The historic performance came to an end with a full circle moment: Chance was honored by his family for his positive contributions to the world.
For those who missed the celebration in Chicago, not to worry, Chance will be celebrating Acid Rap in New York and Los Angeles with Vic Mensa.
Just in time for it to become the soundtrack of summertime Chi, Grammy nominated artist, producer, songwriter The Legendary Traxster debuted his latest album Chicago.
An ode to his hometown, Chicago is a compilation of songs produced by the legend and featuring artists from all over the city. An amalgamation of differing Chicago sounds, the album is a reminder that no matter what sound you thought defined the city; it does not.
The album features an array of artists that could only be brought together by The Legendary Traxster. Chicago rap legends are well represented by Lupe Fiasco, Twista, Buk of Psycho Drama, Belo of Do Or Die, Cold Hard of Crucial Conflict, and Chicago music royalty Shawnna. Though Chicago has more than enough household names to comprise an all-star line up The Legendary Traxster didn’t stop there when recruiting talent to represent the city. In addition to bringing together the staples of Chicago hip-hop, The Legendary Traxster tapped in with rising stars Chimeka, Kia Gota Chopper, and Fat Money and comedian DeRay Davis. Bringing together talent from all over the city for the greatest good.
With a feature list that reads more like a VIP guest list, Chicago provides a long deserved platform form for Chicago based artists that could only be created by The Legendary Traxster.
The weather in Chicago has been anything but a vibe, but that didn’t stop Larry June fans from packing House of Blues on June 13, as Larry’s Market Run made a stop in the city.
At 8pm, Uncle Larry promptly took the stage surrounded by oranges and fans were in a trance. A sea of cell phones bopped as fans sang along to every word. The San Francisco native took fans on a trip through his catalog using the scenic route performing hits like “30 Day Run” from his 2018 release Very Peaceful and “Watering My Plants” from 2020’s Adjust To The Game.
While Larry June wasted no time taking fans on a trip down memory lane, he also put knew fan favorites on despite. It can easily be said that the highlight of the evening was Larry June being joined on stage by hip hop legend The Alchemist to perform 60 days from their joint album The Great Escape. Larry June took the surprise a step further asking The Alchemist to perform his 2004 anthem “Hold You Down.”
Larry June fans could not be thwarted by the weather or the overzealous security at House of Blues and result was certainly a night to remember. Good job, Larry.
5am holds significance to different people for different reasons. For some it’s the beginning of their day, for others it’s the end of their day, but for LoOny Smokez’s fans 5am is the title of his latest release.
Originally composed as one of four songs for an upcoming EP, the title 5am was derived from the time the record was completed. True to what current fans have grown to expect and an introduction for those who are new to LoOny, 5am Freestyle is lyrically witty yet still rooted in the street life he knows so well.
A product of Chicago’s Eastside, LoOny Smokez’s roots start at 73rd and Luella. 5am Freestyle is LoOny’s valid effort to impart wisdom obtained throughout his life, while sharing just a bit of it’s like growing up over East.
The 5am Freestyle visual was filmed by HigherSelfFilms on 72nd and Merrill as LoOny Smokez’s effort to pay homage to his brother IB who was one of his greatest supporters. The visual also features an appearance from Miracle DaGod.
Nostalgia seems to be the current name of the game when it comes to hip hop. Nicki Minaj is currently riding that wave with her latest single “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” the features a sample of Lumidee’s 2003 hit “Never Leave You (Uh Ooh).” And it’s only right, for nostalgia’s sake, that Miracle DaGod put his own spin on the girl hit. Today, Miracle DaGod blessed the world with “Miracle DaSleeze”
In typical Miracle DaGod fashion intellect met lyricism to produce punchlines far superior to the current standard of hip-hop. But more than just lyrical and witty, “Miracle DaSleeze” sounds a lot like a love song. No matter the inspiration, “Miracle Da Sleeze” is ode to an era in hip-hop that doesn’t get the credit it deserves and who better to pay homage than Miracle DaGod?
As if the freestyle isn’t enough, Miracle DaGod took fans on a trip down memory lane with a visual that fits perfectly in reggaeton/hip-hop era of the early 2000s. Colored lighting highlight Leeosha’s (who very well may be the star of this visuals) dance moves in a Hype Williams sort of vibe. Higher Self Films certainly showed out this time.
For anyone who grew up in the early 2000s “Miracle DaSleeze” is a necessity. Watch the visual here:
According to the saying “well behaved women seldom make history.” So that must mean bad bitches make headlines. If we’re judging by Raymi the Artist, that’s undoubtedly true. Over the weekend, Raymi sent the internet into a uproar with the release of her EP Que Pasa.
Que Pasa is the perfect introduction to women’s history month. Comprised of three bad bitch anthems, Que Pasa is just a peak at what Raymi the Artist has in store for fans in 2023.
The project opens with “Act Like.” A reminder that Raymi knows exactly who she is and everyone else does too. In just under two minutes Raymi established lyrical superiority and the fact that she is exactly who she says she is.
“Bust Back” reinforces the notion that it is not only acceptable but often necessary to correct those who try to play with you. Uptempo and catchy “Bust Back” feels like motivation to get in your bag and stay there.
“Psycho” is the final track on the EP and is a proclamation that Raymi the Artist knows who she is and what she’s capable and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you see her.
In total, Que Pasa is about seven minutes long. Though it is short, it put Raymi’s artistry on full display. Listen to Que Pasa:
“Brought the city out” is a phrase performers use and sometimes abuse when they’ve had a successful event. However the use of any other phrase would disrespectful when discussing Sunny Woodz and Sincere’s 6th Annual Basketball Giveaway.
On Saturday, February 3, the basketball court at the Max McCook Athletic & Exposition Center was reduced to standing room only when people from all over the Chicagoland area came to see the blue team defeat the red time. A game that has been historically populated by performers and producers took on new life as Chicago based entertainers from every discipline joined to make it the most successful basketball giveaway to date.
To call the team rosters a list of who’s who of Chicago’s talent would be an understatement. Though anyone familiar with the event would expect noting less. Mikey Dollaz, New Ara, Cool Ass Ice, Chimeka, Ahmad N Ferguson, El Hitta, and Lucien Cambric were among the players. The referees, cheerleaders and coaches were all familiar faces including Money Maha, Queen Envi, Baja Banks and Big Daddy Deja. Briah Banks was on the score board, Sincere shared announcer duties with Bree Specific and LilJonStopIt provided the vibe. Even the audience was star studded and the icing on the cake was undoubtedly all of the kids.
In a city were violence plagues the news and mainstream media would have the world to believe no one is safe, this event went exactly to plan. Not only was the game fun for the players and spectators, there were no incidents, arguments or fights.
A round of applause is certainly in order for the organizers for bringing the city out for a positive, constructive, and entertaining event.
According to the Gregorian calendar the new year started three weeks ago. However, New Ara’s year started on January 17, when he debuted his latest visual “Outside.”
Winter and cold weather have so many connotations but in the Chicagoland area, people expect it to get cold and a little weather certainly won’t real ones inside. New Ara doubles down on that concept with “Outside” his first release of 2023.
Colorful and creative, “Outside” is fairly indicative of New Ara’s personality. Short and sweet, “Outside” is less than two minutes long, but it certainly accomplishes what it needs to.
Catch New Ara outside Saturday, February 4 at Sunny Woodz’s 6th Annual Basketball Giveaway. In the meantime watch “Outside” here:
January 13, Lil’ Blessin turned Subterranean into a likko sto and threw a party in it.
Everyone knows the solution to keeping warm when you’re going out in the winter is shots. Last night the shots where in full affect at Sub T, when Lil Blessin’s fans and some of Chicago’s elite poured in to attend Lil’ Blessin’s Party at the Likka Sto.
The Westside native has been making waves for years but “Likka Sto,” his biggest hit to date is providing a wave that not only he can ride, but other artists as well. Indicative of his success was the all-star line up of acts who the took the stage before Blessin, including Bunny Liiu, OG Stevo, and 100 Flex.
As if the show wasn’t star studded enough the audience was populated by some of the cities most notable names including Chimeka and Don’t Do Coke TV, Sunny Woodz, Panamera P, Power 92.3 radio personality Bree Specific, King Pinrue and a host of others.
Anyone who wasn’t at Subterranean, missed a hell of a party.
Meg Amazing's Music Box 