Hip Hop

Hip Hop can not be boiled down to one sound. You cannot put a label on hip hop. It's infused with culture and passion in ways one wouldn’t expect. It’s real. Often synonymous with rap music, it has changed styles through the decades going from basic beats to modern, complex, multi-instrumental beats. Lyrics and the overall sounds of hip hop have changed due to the different lifestyles rappers live today. Not to disregard the violence today, but it was much more severe in the 80’s and 90’s. With the few modern day exceptions, hip hop remains authentic, proclaiming truth to all those willing to welcome the unknown.

Artist of the Week: Notorious B.I.G.: The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher George Latore Wallace) was an American rapper known as one of the most influential rappers of not only the hip hop movement but of all time. He came onto the hip hop scene in 1994 with his remarkable debut album Ready to Die, the only album released during his lifetime. The album describes his life, connecting the violence and intensity of living on the streets with the emotional trauma that came with it. The easy flowing lyrics were the perfect way to tell the story. A sinister sense of depression is also present in the album with the dark tones. His second album, Life After Death,  had a major theme of his rivals with other rappers. A few weeks before the release, he was shot sitting in his car. Despite his young death at the age of 24, his legacy remained, well, notorious.  

Album of the Week: Coloring Book: In an industry where a lot of music can sound the same, an innovator can come in and change everything. Chicago native, Chance the Rapper, uses his latest mixtape, Coloring Book, as an opportunity to express every part of himself. He proclaims his love of music on the track “All We Got,” he shares a story of fighting big record labels on “No Problem,” and he preaches his belief in religion in “Finish Line/Down.” The prophetic nature in which Chance talks about God working in the world around him can bring the most skeptical person to their knees. All of this paired with the collaboration of dozens of artists like Justin Bieber, Lil’ Wayne, Future and so much more, makes this album diverse. It is no wonder that Pitchfork called Coloring Book “one of the strongest rap albums released this year.”

Discover Playlist: Ivy-Frank Ocean, Too Good-Drake, Bound 2-Kanye West, No Role Modelz- J.Cole, Up, Up, & Away- Kid Cudi, Just Playing (Dreams)-The Notorious B.I.G., Sober-Childish Gambino, Dang!- Mac Miller, and Juke Jam-Chance the Rapper

Pump Up Playlist: Donald Trump - Mac Miller, All In - Kid Cudi, Most Of All - JMSN, 3005 - Childish Gambino, AU79 - Tyler, the Creator, Gametime - Chuck Inglish, Godspeed - Frank Ocean, Pursuit of Happiness - Kid Cudi

Upcoming concerts:

FIDLAR- Metro Smart Bar- Chicago, IL- 11/17/16- 8:00 pm

Band of Horses - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/16/16 - 7:30 pm

Two Door Cinema Club - Aragon Ballroom - 11/25/16 - 8:30 pm

Morrissey - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL - 11/27/16 - 7:30 pm

Cage The Elephant- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/2/16- 7:00 pm

Stevie Nicks - United Center - Chicago, IL - 12/03/16 - 7:00 pm

Fitz and The Tantrums- Aragon Ballroom- Chicago, IL- 12/3/16- 7:00 pm

Charlie Puth and James Bay- Chicago Theatre- 12/3/16- 7:30 pm