Tag Archives: chicago

[RH Premiere] Netherfriends: “Good Vibes” (feat. ShowYouSuck and ELEE X)

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Good Vibes

Netherfriends is kicking up quite a storm this year. Outside of the very ambitious 50 Songs, 50 States project, he has an album called New Chi-t scheduled for June 21st featuring songs from, you guessed it, Chicago musicians. We’re lucky to be premiering the latest song from New Chi-t, “Good Vibes on a Sunny Day,” featuring ShowYouSuck and ELEE X from Impolite Society.

The video follows Netherfriends’ practice of editing classic video footage juxtaposed with the song itself to create a dichotomy between the song and the footage. “Good Vibes” samples The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” but with a trippy mix. ShowYouSuck and ELEE X trade verses over footage of surfers from the 1966 film, The Endless Summer, followed by a tempo/tonal change halfway through the song, making a creative spin on the characteristic “drops” in most popular music these days.

You can download the song and watch the video below. If you’re free on Monday, you can catch Netherfriends live at the Empty Bottle for free. If you’re not free on Monday, cancel your plans so you can catch Netherfriends live at the Empty Bottle for free.

[RH Premiere] Weasel Sims: “Ride Out” (feat. Tae Butch) (prod. by MikeJaxx)

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Ride Out

MikeJaxx has been keeping extra busy this week (as if he doesn’t stay busy already). With his remix of Chance the Rapper’s “Juice” and production on the amazingly well-received Grade Aplus track “Nate Robinson” making the rounds the past few days, Jaxx is ending the week on a high note with this new track, “Ride Out” for rapper Weasel Sims (and featuring Tae Butch).

You can check out the song below. I get a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more from Weasel Sims this year…

Sidewalk Kal: “Non Believers”

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artworks-000048213253-dvn73h-t500x500

Impolite Society’s Sidewalk Kal is the smooth, laidback member of the group. That’s not to say he doesn’t go hard at shows, but his studio stuff is always so chill. Buoyed by some beats produced by producer Mattron/Yung AOL, Kal delivers a smooth flow complete with a Sega reference. If you haven’t heard any of Sidewalk Kal’s solo stuff before, “Non Believers” is a great introduction to his style. Matched with atmospheric, almost ambience-filled beats, Kal definitely represents a different, though welcome sound in the already-varied Chicago hip hop scene.

Naledge: “Love Not Personal” (feat. Saba and Vic Spencer)

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LoveNotPersonalArt

The latest song from Naledge, “Love Not Personal,” just dropped. Featuring Saba and Vic Spencer, a smooth saxophone carries the beat across each rappers’ verses as they rap about not trusting the ladies. The hook preaches some knowledge: “Don’t trust these pros, they just gonna go and take off their clothes/Their loving ain’t personal. They blow you kisses, then they go out to clubs with your bros/Their loving ain’t personal.”

Check out the song below.

[via IMFMag]

The Riot Fest 2013 Lineup is AMAZING

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riotfest

Wow. Just as I was going on about how I greatly dislike music festivals, the first wave of bands were announced for this year’s Riot Fest. For those that don’t know, Riot Fest was started in 2005 as a way to help put together a seemingly dream lineup of various punk bands. Since its initial launch, the festival has grown exponentially, not only moving the festivities from the Congress Theater to Humboldt Park, but also establishing shows across the country under the Riot Fest brand.

There’s music here for everybody, as Riot Fest’s growth has begun to include all facets of independent music. Some noted hip hop acts include DOOMTREE’s Dessa, Atmosphere, Public Enemy, and Saul Williams. However, the main focus is on punk/alternative/pop-punk bands. Some of my personal highlights are blink-182, Rancid, Against Me!, Toots and the Maytals, Mephiskapheles, Bad Brains, and amazing local Chicago bands The Lawrence Arms, Maps and Atlases, and a reuniting The Broadways. Maybe I’ll find some time to catch Brand New and Taking Back Sunday so I could sing along to the two songs I know from them.

Seriously, there’s something here for everybody; whether you can quote every song Brendan Kelly has ever written, got star tattoos during the early 200s, or go out in a full three-piece suit, Riot Fest 2013 is shaping up to be the best Chicago-based festival of the year. Go ahead and buy tickets for Riot Fest 2013 here.

Riot Fest 2013

[Mixtape] Tree: “Sunday School II”

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treeSS2

A lot of anticipation has been growing for Tree’s next mixtape. Since Sunday School came out last year, the Chicago MC has been upping his game and visibility, including being featured as a Red Bull Sound Select artist. With Sunday School II: When Church Lets Out, Tree has escalated to the next level, complete with backing from Closed Sessions and Creative Control. Features include Lili K, Teddie Caine, Ari Lourdes,Danny Brown, Project Mayhem, and Roc Marciano with production by Tye Hill, Bink!, Frank Dukes, Illinois Jones, Bobby Johnson, Khari Lemuel, S.C., and Tree himself, Sunday School II is bound to be one of this year’s best releases out of Chicago. Prepare your ears for some SoulTrap.

You can download Tree’s Sunday School II: When Church Lets Out here.

[Mixtape] Calez: “G-Unit Bundle Pack”

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calezgunit

“I told [Calez] he gotta be the coldest motherf*cking rapper in the city ’cause I’m already the hottest DJ, man,” DJ Oreo says at the end of Calez’ first track, “Ready or Not.” This bravado is what helped Calez’ emergence in the Chicago hotbed of up and coming rappers. His latest mixtape, G-Unit Bundle Pack, finds the Southside rapper rapping over old G-Unit songs. I admit, I would have put this up earlier, but I got carried away listening to this mixtape. Make sure you have the time to properly listen through these tracks, because Calez is definitely not someone you want to sleep on.

You can download G-Unit Bundle Pack here or stream the mixtape below.

Chicago emcee Calez doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Following a XXL co-sign and the release of his latest project Too Broke Tape a mere month ago, the BRKF$T CLUB spitter is back with a 5 track EP gliding over classic G-Unit production. He single-handedly silenced the rumors of signing with G-Unit and also paid homage to a classic time in hip-hop– The G-unit era. Much like many of his fans, Calez is also a fan. This quick tape known as the “bundle pack” speaks to the many diverse influences that have helped shape Calez into one of the hardest newcomers in rap.
“Them other problems I let the crew hash out//And drop G-UNIT BUNDLE PACK to bring the durags out.”– Calez (@CalezCeito)

[RH Premiere] Grade Aplus: “Nate Robinson” (prod. by Mike Jaxx)

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Grade Aplus - Nate Robinson Cover Art

Despite it being Wednesday, it’s already been a big week for the Legion of Dudes: Nick Astro had his SUPER16 listening party, Mike Jaxx released his remix of Chance the Rapper’s “Juice,” Impolite Society released their remix of “Look of Hate,” and PHNM released his original mix, “This Is It.” Not one to simply rest on his laurels, Grade Aplus is jumping into this unofficial LOD week by releasing his latest track, “Nate Robinson.”

Produced by Ruby Hornet veteran Mike Jaxx, the track plays up Grade’s underdog status, yet stepping up despite the odds. Sounds very similar to the Bulls’ surprising emerging 3rd string point guard, no? Don’t sleep on Grade Aplus and check the track out below.

Alex Wiley: “Creepin” (feat. Freddie Gibbs)

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creepin

The hype continues growing for Chicago’s own Alex Wiley and his debut mixtape, Club Wiley. Our homies at Closed Sessions released this hot new track, “Creepin,” just now. Featuring Freddie Gibbs with production by Hippie Sabotage, “Creepin” is a great song to help us bide our time while we await the full mixtape release. Club Wiley is coming out on June 4th, with the official release party taking place on June 6th at Lincoln Hall with ShowYouSuck, Kembe X, Caleb James, St. Millie, Taylor Bennett, and Jean Deaux. Check the track out below.

YP: “Black Sheep”

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ypblacksheep

Chicago rapper YP just released this new track, “Black Sheep.” The song, which won’t be on the upcoming Restless, is produced by Xcel. YP goes in on the song with a smooth vocal delivery. Be careful, though: the track is infectious and is guaranteed to get stuck in your head for awhile. Listen to the track below.