For their first full-length album as The Ritz, Apoc and Rel showcase their ability to explore a diverse array of styles while still creating a cohesive and affecting hip hop record. Exploring the possibilities of a concept album but not going the whole nine yards so not to confuse their audience, Apoc, having shown age and weathered with wisdom on exhaustive travels for shows across the country, and Rel pulling out all the stops with incredible range and production inspiration, this album goes from 1940’s gangster to 1990’s gangsta at the flip of a coin. Spitting fast raps over soulful tracks or long storytelling-style lyrics against darker samples. The Chi-town natives prove that once more coming from Chicago, a city of that boasts “no-coasts” is a breeding ground for new and exciting talent. If you picked up Apoc’s Shipwrecked Salesman or Gods and Ghosts you won’t be disappointed. Featuring guest appearances by Racecar of Modill, Psalm One and DJ Onceamonth on cuts and scratches! I’ve said this before but fans of Aesop Rock will dig this, Apoc’s voice and flow is sometimes uncanny but reminds me of just how good he is regardless of the similarity.

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What has always set The GZA apart from the ordinary is his ability to create complex images with simple context. In the same way it’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, Genius assembles his words to create thousands of vivid pictures. “I don’t like to just be simple,” he explains. “Even though some of my stuff can seem simple at times, I like to write in a way that when you listen to it over and over again, you hear something new and it requires you to think.” Legend Of The Liquid Sword does just that. Whether the listener gets captured by the vocal acrobatics of Santi White (who has written songs for Res) on GZA’s Stay In Line or the authentic old school soul production on the masterpiece Animal Planet, Genius weaves satisfying brain food through his lyrics. In his phenomenally cerebral use of metaphors, The Genius flawlessly equates human city dwellers to animals in the jungle on Animal Planet, which was produced by rhythm doctor Bink (who has produced heavyweight joints for Fat Joe, Nate Dogg, Mr. Cheeks and Faith Evans). With beats by fellow Wu Tang brother RZA, Jaz-O (Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt album), DJ Muggs (who has produced for Cypress Hill, Mobb Deep), Wu producer Mathematics (Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Sunz of Man), Arabian Knight and other sonic masterminds, GZA’s talents come across even heavier. On the adrenaline raising Hip Hop call to arms, Knock, Knock (the album’s shining debut single), The GZA asks on the chorus, “knock, knock, who the f*** is banging at my door, is it abstract, commercial or hardcore?” In his signature way of ill rhyme construction, GZA further defines the parameters of what rap music should be.

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Don’t Hate Them Because They’re Hip
One of Chicago’s hottest scenes has attracted the inevitable backlash.
By Miles Raymer
June 5, 2008
In late May the old-school hip-hop site Unkut.com put up a post called “The Search for the Biggest Douchebag in Hipster Rap.” Site curator Robbie Ettelson defines the hipster-rap scene as a “new wave of ‘ironic’ rappers who seem hell-bent on achieving new levels of sucking,” dismissively calls their style “Party Rocking,” and complains about the “gimmicky, calculated vibe” of everything they do. “Whether it’s wearing 80’s gear and garish print hoodies, rapping about skateboards and BMX bikes or making songs about nail polish/lip gloss, these wacky young ’uns are poised to take ’tarded rap to the next level.” The post ends with a poll, “Who Is the Biggest Hipster Rap Douchbag [sic],” and five of the eight contenders presented are from Chicago: the Cool Kids, Kanye West, Kid Sister, Lupe Fiasco, and Kidz in the Hall.

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Not too long after I published yesterday’s post about Rhymefest and Lupe Fiasco’s lovers quarrel re: this year’s presidential election, I received the following email from one of my Chi-town correspondents. Come to find out, not only is everything you ever suspected about Chicago hip-hop true, but it gets worse. Way worse. I was even warned about mentioning this shit, lest I end up the next Nailah Franklin. But whatever. I’m willing to take certain risks to bring the truth to the light.

emailing from chicago again. you want to see some bullshit on how these two dudes complaining is the fakest thing. see if you can catch…Gangland on history channel. They have a segment on GD’s in chicago and BD’s. It talks about the gang influence in chicago and how the BD’s where working with jihadist since the 60’s and shit and how the BD’s are “muslims”, sponsor businesses (aritsts), jesse jackson and others. the BD’s is the one you want to see.

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This day long event begins with a free “Winter Block Party,” celebrating Chicago’s hip-hop arts. Featuring a live mural painting by Revise CMW, one of Chicago’s finest graffiti artists; an open mic showcase; music by DJ Itch13 and DJ Issues; and a debut gallery exhibition of works-for-sale by some of Chicago’s most notable contemporary artists. Participating artists include: Krista Franklin, Zeph, Brett Neiman, Kane, Novem Studios, Roper, Revise CMW, The Cartel, Rebekah Raleigh, Sam Adams, Stephanie Land, James “Casper” Jankowiak, Sandra Antongiorgi, David Robinson, Rebecca Crouch and Kuumba Lynx.

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Kanye West- duh. Numerous albums with amazing hit singles, sweet sunglasses and his fame beginning with an almost tragic car accident. Kanye might have a few attitude adjustments to figure out but don’t we all?

Common**- double duh. Smart and pensive lyrics make me really respect him. Right on, Common.

J.U.I.C.E.- or MC Juice respectively, he’s “the illest warrior of all time in rap music”, or so says the intro on his myspace page.

CopperShot- Made up of emcee LongShot and producer Copperpot, Coppershot is a little less abrasive than most mainstream hip hop out there today. More smart lyrics make the listener actually live up to their name and LISTEN. The song “Save Me” is really good.

White Boy- Chicago- based ICEE Records’ own has been wowing crowds since 2004 with his amazing and energetic music.

Nacrobats- consisting of Pugslee, Thaione, Psalm, infinito and Cosmo, Nacrobats bring the sounds or early hip hop with today’s technology and present something totally cool.

Lupe Fiasco- “Superstar” anyone? Enough said.

Lord 360- Straight out of Rogers Park, Lord 360 incorporates loops of creative sounds with hypnotic rhymes that captivate the listener instantly.

Common Sense- ** This is actually what Common was known as in the early ’90s. Youtube Common Sense and you’ll probably die laughing.

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Obviously the history to Chicago’s Hip Hop scene is much more complex, intricate, and extensive than can be covered in this article, a magazine special or even a series of stories. This is merely an attempt to spotlight some of the key names, places, and events that helped shape it into what is has become. For more info on the Chicago Hip Hop scene (past, present, and/or future), as well as any of the artists or information in this piece feel free to contact: formless21@hotmail.com Information sources & inspiration: J-bird, Bomb The Suburbs, E.C,, The Molemen, Upski, Flypapers, Jesse De La Pena, Kingdom Rock, Third Rail, PLEE Fresh, Slang, Trixster, Denz, Demon, Zore. The earliest stages of the Hip Hop scene in Chicago don’t differ much from most other areas outside of New York. It began by listening, admiring, bonding, and ultimately imitating it. The roots of Hip Hop date back to somewhere in-between the early to mid 70’s. Its story can be told by a variety of means. I’ve always found it best to visualize it as a series of chronological eras:

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