[Songs of the Day] 2/27/14 (Feat. Chance The Rapper, King Krule, LIZ & More)
It got colder in the Midwest today. And new music came out. As I sit shivering at my computer, I can only be glad that the Internet brought us some heat today. Ace B8gie gave fans a new version of the instant classic "Fuck A Plan B" enlisting the likes of Creative Control, Young Giftz & Saba for the remix while Chance The Rapper hopped on the soundtrack to the new movie "Divergent" by hopping on "Fight For You" with Pia Mia. Zella Day gave listeners a light new song in "Sweet Ophelia" and RAC released "Tear You Down" featuring Alex Ebert. Evian Christ dropped the first single off his upcoming album in the glitch-filled ride that is his latest track, "Waterfall" and LIZ celebrated the drop of her project in style, tapping Tyga for "Don't Say". We also got a remix of King Krule's "Neptune Escape" from Travi$ Scott and another solid new track from newcomer Joyner Lucas in "Jurisdiction".
Track of the Day: LIZ: "Don't Say" (Feat. Tyga)
Ace B8gie: "Fuck A Plan B" (Feat. Creative Control, Young Giftz & Saba)
Pia Mia: "Fight For You" (Feat. Chance The Rapper)
Zella Day: "Sweet Ophelia"
RAC: "Tear You Down" (Feat. Alex Ebert)
Evian Christ: "Waterfall"
LIZ: "Don't Say" (Feat. Tyga)
Joyner Lucas: "Jurisdiction"
King Krule: "Neptune Estate" (Travi$ Scott Remix)
[youtube id="YgPx_UnWYys"]
[Video] Giftz: "Game of Chess" (Feat. Boldy James)
Chicago's own Giftz got people talking in the middle of last year with his mixtape project, Position of Power, which established him as an artist to know in the increasingly competitive Chicago scene as he emerged as a storyteller capable of reporting back on and framing the things he saw around him everyday growing up in the city's rough areas. Just before the weekend, Giftz took fans there with Detroit MC Boldy James for the visual to his song "Game of Chess" off Position of Power. It's a seminal street banger that features the pair traversing the dark and hallowed-out streets of Detroit, which only serves to add to the overall demeanor of the track. Check out the latest from Giftz, streaming below.
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.
[RH Interview] Giftz
Photography by ACJ Photos
Chicago is a rough city. Since the advent of "drill", GBE and Chief Keef, the stories of the city's streets have been told primarily by artists that painted pictures of death and destruction and little else. Enter: Giftz, the gritty hip-hop artist from Chicago's south side that has woven poetic lyricism and a cognitive thought process into a burgeoning career that has his hometown and all its good and bad wrapped up in it. Since releasing his 2013 mixtape Position of Power Giftz has gone about, well, establishing a position of power for himself amongst an increasingly populated sea of artists elevating from the Second City. Despite his self-described affection for gangsta rap aesthetics, Giftz is able to seamlessly move around the city, spending time at Leaders with Save Money or Treated Crew at Jugrnaut. Giftz made a leap in 2013 which has allowed him to make the leap of establishing a following outside the 312 area code. With his eye on a headlining show before the end of the year to hit 2014 running, he says all he's trying to do now is stay out of trouble. I had the chance to catch up with Giftz a couple week ago to talk about his recent rise in the hip-hop game and what he has coming next. Check out his latest song, "Statement," on the next page, and our conversation over the following pages.
[Mixtape] Giftz: "Position of Power"
Not even 24 hours after unleashing the official video for "Quiet", Giftz hits us over the head by releasing the complete Position of Power 'tape everyone to enjoy. Narrated by DJ Moondawg, Position of Power features production and guest-appearances by the likes of Freddie Gibbs, Rockie Fresh, King Louie, SaveMoney, Boldy James, Lil Herb, YP, Chase N Cashe, C-Sick, Thelonious Martin, Xtreme, and Tree. I haven't fully listened to the project just yet, but what I've heard so far is very promising, and Position of Power is definitely a must-hear for Chicago Hip Hop fans.
Giftz: "Fuck Em All" (feat. King Louie & Rockie Fresh)
Three of Chicago's finest get together for an unapolagetic middle-finger anthem, which you can stream below. Giftz, King Louie & Rockie Fresh really mean it when they say "Fuck Em All" over production by the talented C-Sick, who might be the most versatile producer in Chicago at the moment. This is the first official drop from Giftz' upcoming Position Of Power project, stay tuned for that!
[RH Contest] Win a pair of tickets to Closed Sessions Live feat. Evidence
On August 24th, Closed Sessions Live will be returning to Schubas. Headlining the show is Evidence (Dilated Peoples), with support from Giftz and theWHOevers and DJ Rude One and DJ RTC spinning. The show's shaping up to be a good one just in time for those going back to school. To commemorate the event, we've teamed up with Closed Sessions to give away a pair of tickets to the show. All you have to do is tweet Ruby Hornet your favorite Evidence (or Dilated Peoples) song! Winners will be announced on August 8th.
[Video] Giftz & SAVEMONEY: "Nino Remix" Live @ Reggies
During Caleb James' The Jones release party, Gifz came out and rocked Reggies alongside the SAVEMONEY with a live rendition of the local hit "Nino Remix". The homies over at Pursuit of Dopeness where there to document the performance and uploaded it during the weekend. Check it out below!