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.
Calez: "Peaceful"
One of the projects I'm most looking forward to in the coming year is Calez's upcoming Ceito mixtape. The 2008ighties artist has spent most of 2013 building a buzz around his next release, dropping Too Broke Tape and G-Unit Bundle Pack, along with several well-played loosies that have kept interest in him high and wondering what is next. "Thxs x Thxt", dropped om August, then touted as an early look at Ceito. Today, though, we get the official first single from the next big thing to come from Calez. Oh, and he handles the beat as well-so there's that. Take a minute to check out one of the most talented artists popping out of the middle of the map below and take a look at the third installment of his "The American Dream Project" video diary series.
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[Video] Calez: "The American Dream Concept Ep. 2"
Calez has been one of my favorite artists to make a big jump through this year. Following 2012s critically-acclaimed Kid With Raps, The 2008ighties member and Chicago native dropped Too Broke Tape, one of the most fully crafted releases to come out of the Second City this year. After parlaying that into a frenetic SXSW that saw Calez hustle shows, clearly on his hustle. His performance at RapGenius had bloggers slamming their keyboards to explain this smooth, lyrical kid from the middle of the map.
Since then, he linked up with DJ Oreo for the G-Unit Bundle Pack, a five song EP released in May. With all that behind him, one wouldn't blame Calez for taking a little break heading into the new year. Instead, Calez has stayed heavy on the grind, opening for Macklemore on his "Heist" tour and producing his own web series, of which we have episode two today. Watch as Calez and Oreo crisscross the country, catch some fish and rock some shows in the video below and keep an eye out for Ceito, coming soon.
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[Video] Calez: The American Dream Concept Ep. 1
Chicago hip-hop artist Calez premiered the first episode of his online video series, "The American Dream Concept" yesterday via his own website Ceitorepublic.com. The show is a sort of mini documentary following around the 2008ighties MC as he prepares and works on his upcoming release Ceito, due out in Spring 2014. Calez has been one of the top lyrical artists on the come up out of the Windy City for a minute now and this fresh, different way of getting his name out is definitely worth taking a look at. Give episode one a look below and donate here if you like it enough.
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Calez: "A Mill", "Free Ya Mind"
Calez has been making noise for a minute now and has kept listeners at bay for the most part since releasing the critically-acclaimed Too Broke Tape in March. The Chicago artist gave listeners a few loosies and his infamous G-Unit Bundle Pack to tie them over to the album, Ceito. With the announcement that polishes on the album will take a bit longer than usual, Ceito's release date has been pushed back. But, with bad news comes good and in exchange for the adjusted release Calez offered up a pair of tracks today, "A Milli" and "Free Ya Mind," off of the also-announced Ceito: The Prelude, due out October 17.
[Video] Calez: "Nobody Else"
Calez lets everyone know that "Nobody Else" is doing what he and the 2008ighties crew are doing at the moment and drops a fitting video for the track. In the self-directed visual, Calez goes from being posted on his sofa, to a lake wearing all red and then Chicago's shore where other 2008ighties members make cameo appearances. Peep the clip below and get that Too Broke Tape (and the G-Unit Bundle Pack) if you haven't done so already.
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[Mixtape] Calez: "G-Unit Bundle Pack"
"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 TV] Freestyle In The Park: The New Class
Last month we hosted a special edition of Digital Freshness featuring only local talent under the age of 21. The purpose was to showcase the new crop of Chicago artists, and give them a chance to prove themselves in front of a live audience. The show was great, with everyone putting on a strong performance. Before the show we got all the participating emcees together for a little cipher, which goes back to our Freestyle In The Park days. Check out the video below featuring Caleb James, Kembe X, Alex Wiley, Calez, Legit, St. Millie, and Chance The Rapper.
The video was shot by Elijah Alvarado and edited by Andrew Zeiter. Special thanks to Jugrnaut and SoundScape for hosting Digital Freshness with us.