YP Returns with "Nothing"
"Way before I heard of Rick Ross, everyday I was hustlin."
YP shows up and shows out on his new track/video for "Nothing". This one is a bar fiesta, and my first thought was to write up his whole first verse. I then realized that I don't have time for that. Enjoy.
The Boy Illinois Gets Fierce on New Mixtape, Windy
The Boy Illinois has been working, that's the most blunt way to say it. Over the years, he has continued to climb and build a career in music that has seen him tour with Lupe Fiasco, and release heralded projects that stretch beyond the Chicago Hip Hop scene into the national music consciousness.
While he's going global, he reminds everyone where he's from on his new mixtape, Windy. The new "mixtape" is 9 tracks deep and features fellow Chicagoans Saba, Frsh Waters, Chai Tulani, and YP - who delivers a stand out feature on the similarly Chicago-centric track "90'94".
Themes of identity, pride, community building, and protection against f*ck $hit peppered the EP, making it fierce and determined throughout. Listen to the mixtape 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.
[Mixtape] K.M. Tha Original: "Better Later Than Never"
The latest from Chicago hip-hop artist K.M. Tha Original is a multi-layered intrinsically complete album that comes stocked with a thematic concept, well-thought lyrics and features from around his hometown to match. K.M. does his thing both spitting verses and singing hooks, occasionally dipping into the Drake side of things, crooning in the middle of bars and seamlessly managing both well. If you haven't downloaded anything new from the Windy City, K.M. is definitely worth a couple gigs of memory on your Macbook. Check out Better Late Than Never below:
YP: "Hold Me Down"
YP surprises fans with "Hold Me Down," a jazzy Jay Cornell-produced record from the Chi-Town representative. YP had been off the grid for a quick minute, but now he's back without losing a step, as "Hold Me Down" showcases his lyrical chops and intriguing delivery throughout almost three minutes. Get your fix below.
https://soundcloud.com/yp27/yp-hold-me-down-produced-by
[Video] YP: "Greatest AKA Ali" (Presented by DJ Moondawg)
WGCI's DJ Moondawg brings us the latest from YP with a video for "Greatest" off his latest mixtape Restless. The video, directed by Hi-Def, plays on the song's Muhammad Ali-esque vibes with YP rapping in a boxing ring and overlays of Ali's voice and old fight footage. Check out the video below.
http://youtu.be/48XnaXXEpiY
[Mixtape] YP: "Restless"
YP is still Restless in his pursuit for greatness and he proves in this brand new 'tape that he will stop at nothing to accomplish his goals. With features and production by the likes of C-Sick, DJ L, Lil Bibby, Mikkey Halsted and more, this project definitely showcases that true Chicago sound. Restless is 15 tracks-long and very much worth the download!
[Video] YP: "Softly"
YP is back with a new smoothed out track and visual titled, "Softly." This C-Sick produced cut was directed by Chicago's go-to director, D-Gainz and will be featured on his upcoming mixtape, Restless. Peep the track below.
http://youtu.be/t0ahv2o0Z80