[Documentary] Chicago Hip Hop Profiled in "The Field"
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WorldStarHipHop, the website best known for knock out videos and general ratchet-ness, decided to bring their cameras to Chicago for a special video special titled The Field, detailing the in and outs of not only the Chicago hip-hop scene, but the social and socioeconomic ramifications that surround it as well. Shot by Sher Toor and Jonathan Hall, the doc is an interesting take on the issues facing the Second City, from those who have become rhyming reporters to explain what is happening around them.
The documentary delves deep into the "drill" movement, focusing on the record 2012 murder rate as the major catalyst for the rise of the haunting beats riddled with gunshots and stories of surviving with little and trying to find a way out. Upon first hearing about the documentary and it's publisher, I was immediately skeptical. Although named better than Vice's "Chiraq" documentary done earlier in 2013, The Field digs beyond the surface issues by going to the sources for the answers.
I found it interesting to hear artists like Lil Bibby, Lil Durk and Lil Reese talk about the stress from the success they've realized lately, what it potentially leads to. Hip-hop today has become such a game of numbers, it's interesting to hear some of the artists at the top of the game here talking about how far they've come with almost a semblance of regret, not unlike a star athlete that doesn't especially like sports. Music may be a passion to many, but to these young artists from the rough neighborhoods, it's more than that; it's a way out. Toor and Hall do a tremendous job organically demonstrating this through first person accounts and careful storytelling.
What the documentary really does is hone in wholeheartedly on a specific location in the country and demonstrates how hip-hop music is largely seen not as a way to get famous, but a vehicle to escape their current environment. By highlighting the likes of Bibby, Reese, Durk, King Louie and Katie Got Bandz, the filmmakers did an excellent job in drawing the very thin line between the artists and those around them. Given more time with the subject, the video could have possibly been the hip-hop Hoop Dreams.
The project is both inspirational and upsetting, casting a light on not just the murders that plague the landscape, but also the catalysts that lead to the current situation. It's a surprising production for WSHH, an interesting take on the rise of drill through the violence and crime of the south and west sides of the city. Riding through the streets, talking to the people that live there, it perfectly captures a very certain period in the history of Chicago by highlighting the good and the bad, and the unexpected.
Top Chicago Rappers of 2013
Chicago hip-hop has enjoyed a certain popularity increase over the past couple of years. Where 2012 saw the rise of Chief Keef and "Drill", 2013 brought about a new flavor as listeners from across the country, initially hooked by the drill sound, began to explore the vibrantly eclectic different sides of the city and variety of sounds that make up what is the flourishing Chicago scene today. With seemingly everyone's eyes on the Midwest and so many talented artist rising from the area, we decided to compile a list of the top hip-hop artists from Chicago that had the biggest years in 2013. We based our decisions off of releases, co-signs, shows/tours and general influence throughout to put together who we thought had the best top to bottom 12 month cycles since this time last year. You may not agree with all of our decisions, so let us know in the comments. Without further ado, I give you the Chicago's hip-hop artists that elevated their game the most in 2013.
[Video] Cadillac Duke: "Pop Out" (Remix)
If you've turned on a radio at any point in the past year or so around the Chicagoland area, you were likely to be inundated with the catchy bop-anthem "Pop Out" by local artist Katie Got Bandz that cemented her name in the Chicago scene with the radio hit. Fellow Chicagoan and LOD member Cadillac Duke gave the track a once-over in this re-done version of the track, aided by the steady hands of producer Don Hulio. Becoming "Caddy Got Bandz" for the song, the MC adds a delightful spin to the banger. With his Dirty Bruce project slated for an early 2014 release, "Pop Out Remix" may be just the thing to get the people talking. Bryan Lamb (FragD Films) and Wisam of Four Stars Chicago shot and edited the video below. Pop Out!
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R. Kelly: "My Story Remix" (feat. Katie Got Bandz & Rockie Fresh)
So, R. Kelly spent his weekend similarly to how you would expect R. Kelly to spend a weekend; casually dry humping Lady Gaga on national television in front of a shocked Saturday Night Live audience. He also dropped a song with South American graffiti-king Justin Bieber. Clearly getting back into the spotlight, the Pied Piper made sure to brings things back to that "Chi-Town dirt" with his remix of the Summer Chi anthem featuring fellow locals Rockie Fresh and Katie Got Bandz. Its an impressive cosign for the city's vibrant hip-hop scene that Kellz dropped the original 2 Chainz feature in favor of Katie and Rockie. Check out the song below and cop that Black Panties release on December 10.