Here are some loose pics from yesterday’s interviews with Young Chop and Lil’ Durk, as well as a quick stop at Mano’s crib where he played me some new music and gave me a preview of this week’s #TreatedTuesday Record. Mano’s production is at its highest level right now. He’s definitely in a zone, and feeling more comfortable musically than ever before. Mano’s sound has really grown, and the production he played me yesterday is BIG. The right emcee can turn some of these empty canvases into hits. I can’t wait to see where they end up.
Before hitting Mano’s crib, I was at SoundScape where I did interviews with Lil’ Durk and Young Chop. I think that RubyHornet, and me as DJ RTC, is best known for the more “underground” or “conscious” indie-scene, and covering that side of Chicago Hip Hop. I’ve always been a fan of the harder stuff, and have posted it throughout my time running RH and even in Closed Sessions we’ve worked with LEP and other more street-oriented acts. But our bread and butter, and my favorite music, often comes from the other side of the musical spectrum. Right now Chicago’s street music is at a high, and garnering attention from all over the country. I know it’s high when I’m even getting emails and phone calls asking for links to Chop, Keef, Durk etc.
It’s great to get love from all sides of the city and have artists from all the sub-genres reach out to me about building with RubyHornet. This week alone we worked with Spenzo, D. Gainz, Young Chop, and Lil’ Durk, along with our frequent collaborators of Thelonious Martin, Scheme, Alex Wiley, Gzus Piece, ShowYouSuck etc. Both Young Chop and Lil’ Durk were on serious time constraints yesterday, and for very different reasons. Chop was in Chicago for a couple days off and a chance to see his family. He hadn’t seen anyone for about a month, his longest time away from home. He told me that before going to L.A. to sign with Warner Bros., he’d never left Chicago. His stay was short and right after the interview he went to airport and caught a flight to Atlanta.
Lil’ Durk’s visit to SoundScape was bitter sweet. Although he is celebrating a new record deal and opportunities, he is also dealing with some harsh consequences. While Chop was getting ready to go to Atlanta to work on music, Lil’ Durk was preparing to turn himself in for 60-day prison sentence. He said that Def Jam was aware of this when they signed him, and that the opportunities that await him on the other side will definitely help him get through the next 2 months.
Look out for interviews with Young Chop and Lil’ Durk on RubyHornet soon. Thanks to everyone who came through and made yesterday possible.