Chicago Artists I Believe In - By Alexander Stockstell
*Kween K's Disclaimer*
I, KWEEN K, THE CREATOR OF THIS BLOG DID NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRIBUTE NOR CREATE THIS LIST. THIS LIST IS SOLELY A GUEST POST. PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE IN EVERY CHICAGO ARTIST I HAVE TAKEN THE TIME OUT TO INTERVIEW. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND BEFORE YOU ALL TWEET ME WITH YOUR ANGRY THOUGHTS AND SNIDE COMMENTS.
This is a list. A list of Chicago artist I personally believe have the ability to take their talents to the level above their current stature. I have sat in the studio, listened in private and just generally had conversations with many artist in Chicago and have come to a conclusion about who I feel has what it takes to tough it out in the industry.
10.) MoBo
Twitter: @MoBoTheGreat
MoBo is the best female MC in Chicago no one has really heard in my opinion. What I mean is that internet wise she has no real content, but her soon to drop “Fuck The Public” project will be bound too wet up the scene. I have personally listened to the unreleased project in full and was taken aback by her lyrical ability as a female MC. She is not a female MC she is an actual MC and at least Chicago wise she can step up to the plate against the big boys. Take what I say for a grain of salt at your own risk; Mobo is soon to be on top of the mountain over the likes of Tink, Dreezy, and Chella-H.
Progress Report
Strengths:
-Does not need to rely on sexual content to stay interesting.
-Tends to outperform her feature on a track.
- Has an emphasis on actually rhyming, great at reciting hooks.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to actually learn how to put a record together. Right now she is hit or miss.
- The potential is there but still needs actual work on making her voice standout from the crowd.
- Would work the best on a team of MC’s rather than just by herself
Style Equivalent: Curren$y
9.) Lavish Mzck
Twitter: @LAVISHMZCK
Simply a sex symbol(pause) by appearance and by flow Lavish is Chicago’s resident rap game David Beckham. In all seriousness Lavish is a record label executive’s wet dream. Lavish is hard to understand content wise; one minute he is a getting money, band stacking, Versace wearing, lobster eating gentlemen. The next minute he is your personal life coach motivating you too get over any of your life obstacles by simply believing you are the s**t just because of who you are. I think he has one of the most unique styles in Chicago let alone the game. His most recent project is called “Urban Pharaoh” and he is preparing for a new project as you read this.
Progress ReportStrengths:- He has “the look.”- Artistic direction for his music videos matches his music and appearance well.- Production wise he picks beats that matches his flow.Weaknesses:- Needs to work pronouncing his words better, multiple takes on verses could fix this.- Should drop more videos with singles too embrace his appearance more.Style Equivalent: Wiz Khalifa
8.) Ibn Inglor
Twitter: @IbnInglor
Easily one of the most popular on my list and for good reason, producer/rappers are the most talented in the genre of hip-hop. Ibn Inglor is post-graduation Kanye West just like Travis Scott and deserves to be working with him just like Travis is in terms of production. The rarity of producer/rappers is unprecedented in Chicago considered we birth the best one in Kanye West. That alone is why Ibn stands out too me. Personally I wish he would work with other Chicago artist to help them into the next level of music. His newest project “New Wave” makes everything I said above fact, give it a listen.
Progress Report
Strengths:
- Definitely has the next level sound down to a science.
- Songs feel like rides on a roller coaster with no real slow points its fun throughout.
Weaknesses:
- While he performs well on his own he could benefit from working with others that match his style.
- Songs are a little too dark at times could lighten things up for diversity purposes.
- Lyrical content is mundane at times with nothing really connecting.
Style Equivalent: Post-Graduation Kanye West
7.) Monster MikeTwitter: @monstermike197Possibly my favorite rapper too listen to in Chicago right now. Despite the running jokes of being a “weak rapper” in the likes of Lil B and Riff Raff, I feel he is actually better than people give him credit for. People need to stop judging him on his work with Kembe and Alex Wiley alone and actually give his other features a chance. Michael performs best on features but I believe he is at a different place now and could create a dope solo project. I don’t know maybe it’s just me and what I like but I believe he can get it together and be marketable in the game one day. Plus he has face tats he is committed, shout out Rap Genius.
Progress Report
Strengths:
- Has his very good annunciation on tracks.
Weaknesses:
- Should work with one singular producer for a project that can make diverse tracks that match his voice.
Style Equivalent: Paul Wall
6.) Taylor Bennett
Twitter: @_TaylorBennett
Taylor is a better rapper than Chance, okay now that is out of the way, he is not better musically than Chance. However the potential is there and the Bennett blood is full of sonic talents that will come thru sooner rather than later for Taylor. Taylor has a great head on his shoulders and after many conversations with him he has huge social statements that he wants to make with his music. In a weird crash between Twista and Bump J, Taylor’s flow sounds like his brother Chance but resonates as something different. I ran into his session on accident at Classick Studios in Chicago and heard a little bit of his new music. A special treat is in store for you all, arguments between which Bennett is better will ensue soon.
Progress Report
Strengths:
- Can rap fast without mumbling words.
- Has pound for pound straight bars.
Weaknesses:
- Imperative that he finds production to match his flow so that musically he can make sense.
- Needs to get away from making “freestyle” like songs and actually focus on making a “record.”
Style Equivalent: Julez Santana
5.) Roman Flowrs
Twitter: @RomanFlowrs
“Perfect Timing” was the first song I heard from this guy and ironically it was around the time I was searching the net for new talent in Chicago. Any who Flowrs caught my ear with his ballad about really just being a good kid in the mad city of Chicago. Interesting to think that a south side bred Chicago artist could create such a west coast sound. I want to quickly compare him to Kendrick Lamar but their content is all that matches their flows are completely different. I find myself relating to this artist and I feel with granted improvements others from Chicago at least will flock to his sermon of expressing what you like even if your environment won’t accept you for it. Also apparently he got the beats for sale as well so get at him for that. His next project “One Hell of a Promo” drops October 8th, 2013.Progress ReportStrengths:- His content is their his flow is consistent from track to track,- Instead of just out performing his feature he melds well with their talent level to balance the record out.- High potential ceiling, he is there but he is not there quite yet.Weaknesses:- Nothing major to work on his game is all-around good just needs to find a way to rough out the edges.Style Equivalent: Kendrick Lamar 
4.) C. Rich
Twitter: @CRICHalchemist
C. Rich is the only R&B artist on the list but he is high on my list for his talent level out shines most run of the mill hip-hop artist. He will not rap too you he will sing too you all day and well into the night. He only has an interest in that one simple concept that R&B is supposed to be a slow and steady ride that puts you all into your feelings. C. Rich is a fundamentally sound artist and is a true genius as he pieces a song together in the studio. Even though he has only recently released his own music he has been helping artist of both the R&B and Hip-Hop trade in Chicago hone their skills from a production perspective. Songwriting, production and just basic song crafting this man will be making money in the game off one of these skills. Did I mention he had a great singing voice? “Certified Organic” is his most recent project, so run you a nice long bath ladies, and let C. Rich serenade as you soak your body.
Progress ReportStrengths:- Fundamentals, he has them in his back pocket.- Intelligent voice work on tracks never over does it or down plays it.- Writes songs with the intent to draw you in lyrically.Weaknesses:- NoneStyle Equivalent: The Dream
3.) Ern Cobain
Twitter: @Erncobain
I have said this once and I will say it again; Ern Cobain is the best rapper in Chicago. Whether you give him a listen or not and choose to agree or disagree by the current standards of music he meets them with ease and exceeds them with sheer effort alone. Ern Cobain is the second in command behind leader Jay Fresco in WWR(WealthWorthyRepublic). Ern has the ability that some artist like say Lil’ Wayne has where he can just demolish any beat lyrically. He proved that with his first mixtape “The Only Heir” as he took some popular instrumentals mixed with labelmate Jay Fresco’s production and spit back to back make you say “Ohh” bars track for track. Ern is now preparing his next project “Music and Other Drugs”, where he teams up with a hand-picked group of producers to prove his overall musical ability. His first single is “Druglord” produced by C-Sick which is the first of many tracks to come from this dynamic musical duo.
Progress Report
Strengths:
- A true student and natural born talent of the game, flow and song structure is bar none one of the best I have heard from any artist in Hip-Hop.
Weaknesses:
- Has trouble finding production that matches his monster approach to the mic.
Style Equivalent: Outkast
2.) C-Sick
Twitter: @CSick_
As a Chicago hip-hop enthusiast I feel lucky that our city has a producer like C-Sick. His approach to the game matches up with the attitude of the city. C-Sick is simply put a scrapper, he is hard working and a perfectionist. Although C-Sick is known for his work with King Louie and stepping on to the scene with the drill music wave, C-Sick is ready to separate himself from the pack of just trap beats. C-Sick has worked with Nas, Fabulous and most recently Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber on the song “Twerk.” C-Sick’s potential is high and we will be in the game putting on for our city in no time at all quote me on this one.
Progress Report
Strengths:
- Can make a beat for any type of artist. Any other questions?
- One of the best work efforts, he stay in the gym so to speak.
Weaknesses:
None.
Style Equivalent: Just Blaze
1.) Chance The Rapper
Twitter: @chancetherapper
2 years ago on a nice Wednesday summer night I am sitting in YouMedia enjoying the poetry and the vibe of everyone around me. Suddenly, the mood changed when this bouncy light skin kid came straight through the door and on to the stage. “Hi my name is Chance The Rapper and I am gonna rap.” is what came out of his mouth as some in the room sighed at the sight of that “rapper dude” and others were all smiles because the “rapper dude” was back. At the time I did not think too much of Chance but it is clear now that his music has an impact on a lot of youth in this city and is growing in other cities as well. The front man of Save Money, Chance is the poster child of everything positive about Chicago Hip-Hop. If you are a Chicago artist or fan of the Hip-Hop coming out of this city you must believe in Chance. Chance is on a higher level now since now he is able to tour but he isn’t in the same conversation as the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the, Creator or ASAP Rocky quite yet and it is imperative that he gets there. Acid Rap is the best musically sounding project that has come out of Chicago since this renaissance begun. And in order for it to continue and for the other artist I mentioned on this list to make it Chance must get to the next level.
Progress Report
Strengths:
- Musically the most gifted in Chicago he knows what sounds good.
- Not afraid to experiment with sounds
Weaknesses:
-Would like to see how he fairs on next level production something from Pharrell or Timbaland perhaps.
- Needs to strength his effort on features.
Style Equivalent: Slick Rick
Take the conversation to social media with the #ChicagoArtistIBelieveIn and let me know who you are rooting for.
Alexander Stockstell is the Editorial Assistant for True Star Magazine. Stockstell has performed over 50+ interviews most notably interviews done with; Reggie Rose, Big Sean, Erick Sermon, Dick Gregory and most recently T.I..
Follow him on Twitter: @MontaStocky