New Wind for Chicago's Rap Game

Yeah, we got Kanye, 
but 'Ye is a lil "krayzee".  

Yeah, we got Kelly, but....well...yeah, you know.  




And yeah, we got Common, but he's a little...wooden?  



I ain't hating, I'm just saying...

And with all the talent that is lurking out in the Wild 100's, the West Side and even the North Side Avenues, we got peeps in town, and people coming to town to take advantage of a rap and hip hop fan-base that yet to be taken seriously. Let's take a look at a few that are heating up on the radar screen...Chicago's New Wind

Lupe Fiasco :  Shouldn't Lupe be up there with Kanye and the rest? Maybe....  He's got that critical and commercial success from his 1st album "Food and Liquor" to the latest, "Lasers"...songs like "Kick, Push" and "Superstar" are definitely radio-friendly....He's got Grammy, Billboard, BET, and even GQ awards....He's got those Kanye, Jay-Z, & Pharrell connects...He's got a bunch of guest vocals, mixtapes, and even other bands (Japanese Cartoon, All City Chess Club, Child Rebel Soldiers...), plus clothing, philanthropy and other stuff....  He's hard to keep up with!  But Lupe is still "New Wind", making a lot of new moves, that keeps us guessing as to what's next, and that's what an artist is supposed to do.  Now that "Obama is a terrorist" line of thinking has been a bit of a fiasco (pun intended), but if someone doesn't challenge your views, are they really yours?   www.lupefiasco.com

                      

Jyst: Jyst is one of those rappers that have been simmering.  In the game, but hasn't bubbled up to the surface. Assorted tracks here and there, guest vocals, some shows and mixtapes, opening for Travis Porter...but no major heat.  Maybe it's that Dayton, Ohio middle America grip on to his Timberlands that has kept Jyst (pronounced "jyst", not "gist" check out the bio on da website) from making that leap to the big leagues, but then that's good for us.  Jyst just keeps coming with some of everythang!  His latest release is called "Let Me In" --a signal to the frustration of an artist trying to be heard over the noise out there, and he delivers some of everything: thug, club, and radio-ready tracks, with beats to move ya.  He even has a rap relationship song, a la LL Cool J's "I Need Love"; check out "I'm Sorry".  And he still has his original producer Futuristik911, but new management has gotten some new producers too, and Jyst style flexes to meet each one of them.  And that's that "New Wind"...who's thug 24/7?   Hit the club and bounce to dat lead single "Bout to Go Down" with singer Jon Micheals or roll down the street bumpin' "Aint Got Long"...you'll see wassup. Full disclosure: I do know him personally, but Imma need "people" to talk to his "people" soon...www.itsjyst.com                                

The SEO Rapper: Now if you have any idea what SEO stands for, then you are ahead of 98% of folks out there--rap, hiphop, country, and pop--even some tech heads out there.  It stands for "search engine optimization", and it's how Google makes billions and how you go on-line to find out what those new Jordan's or Manolo Blahnik's look like.  But if you don't have the time or desire to learn HTML, XML, or PMP, internet markup languages, then maybe the SEO Rapper can help you out: Chuck Lewis is what happens when hip-hop and tech collide...literally.  He hails out of the Houston, Texas area (home to Mike Jones, Scarface & UGK), but he's not of the O.G. tradition--unless that means "Oh God": Chuck used to do Christian rap, and moved into hi-tech bytes because he was an internet marketer.  Yes, that stuff helps makes all that web stuff work-- the engine behind those cools images, blogs and search results; songs include 'Paid Search 101', 'Design Coding', and 'Link Building 101'.  Check out the funny 'Social Media Rap (Online For Hours)' on youtube.  He's even had to defend his lyrical might against new upstarts like the PPC MC. (Okay...that's 'Pay Per Click', but I know you still don't know what that is...) Catch all of SEO Rapper's tracks on his cd "Lyrical Marketing."

But instead of chicks, stacks and whips (that's women, money and cars), we need-- and especially our young males-- need to hear and learn this language, and this technology: it will be everywhere, because it's already well on it's way.  So another "New Wind" and maybe even a "Future Wind" needs to blow into the Windy City, and get those hip-hop heads learning, rapping --- and making-- a tech paycheck.  

www.seorapper.com

PS: Looking for Stefani Stephens of Elitenment's track "Louie V. Gnarly"   Nice vocals...It's this Chi-town's answer to Nicki Minaj?  Holla!

Of Interrupters and Frontliners...

I went to see the movie 'The Interrupters' on Tuesday.



Because I was aware of the Ceasefire violence prevention organization from news sources, I had already read that there was a documentary being created based on what their team of 'Interrupters' did.  I was surprised by the amount of buzz the film was starting to create, with showings at the Cannes Film Festival, and 4-star write-ups by well-known movie critics, newspapers and magazines including the Huffington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Roger Ebert, and others.

But upon reflection, with the international attention the death of Derrion Albert, a Chicago Public School student beaten to death, received, violence in urban America, specifically Chicago, has become a new trending topic.

But it is the approach to violence that the Interrupters take, that is enlightening: focusing on violence as an epidemic, one where the spreading contagion needs to be "interrupted" in order to contain the spread of violence.  The lead characters in this film do exactly that: insert themselves into explosive situation in order to diffuse them.  With guns and knives and fists at the ready, this is not an easy position to take.    It is the similar experience that 'The Interrupters' themselves have with the people involved in these situations-- drugs, gangs, violence, abuse, prison-- that allow them to connect, diffuse and ultimately build relationships with people on the brink of explosive violence.

"On the Frontlines" DVD Cover 

With only 16 or so Interrupters for the entire city of Chicago (and currently funding challenged), I thought of the many situations and people that The Interrupters cannot connect with.  It made me think of another, smaller  independent documentary film by local Chicagoan Derek Grace called "On the Frontlines: Taking Back Our Streets".  This film's milieu was the same as The Interrupters: violence, disparity and the obstacles faced in urban Chicago.

The difference lay in the fact that the people profiled in "On the Frontlines" did not have medical degrees and global experiences with epidemics allowing them to relate the dynamic of violence to that of disease; nor did they have hardened lives from gangs, drugs and incarceration, that allows them to relate to young lives on the wrong path.  They simply recognized something needed to be done, and they decided to do something, whether allowing wayward kids into their homes as a "safe haven", or simply discussing the consequences and options to the "fast-life" on the street.

And there were many people after the showing of the film "The Interrupters" that were asking "What can I do?"  Well, to be an Interrupter, having a gang and violence-filled history is a plus on the resume; for most of the patrons, avoiding incarceration and street peril has been paramount, if even a concern, in their lives and professions. But being on the Frontlines doesn't mean you have to talk to ex-offenders with guns ready to "pop a cap".  It means taking some time to see beyond the stereotypes, beyond the anger and frustration, and to see people.  People that want better lives, but haven't had the level of exposure to better influences to help them navigate the treacherous waters they find themselves.

And as always, money is never turned away, and I'm sure the Interrupters and the Ceasefire organization, and the producers of the "On The Frontlines" can direct any donation toward a much needed ends.  But, in addition, I would say take, take some time to realize that these are these people profiled on these documentaries, and the families shown on your evening news are living, breathing human beings who are being held hostage by drugs, ignorance and fear.

The producer of "On the Frontlines", Derek Grace, is working on some supplemental educational materials to help children to identify and combat anger, bullying and violence.  He is attempting to get the film and the educational materials shown in the Chicago Public Schools.  I would suggest that this is where the most good can be done: prevention.  The Interruptors help to prevent further retaliation and violence, and turn many lives around; but those lives are already impaired because of prison records and past gang and drug affiliations.  I am in no way advocating giving up on any one, but in the words of Frederick Douglas, "It is easier to raise a healthy child, than to repair a broken man".  It is up to you to turn the next phase of Chicago into a thriving multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment global city, by focusing not only on preventing violence from spreading, but has every Chicagoan working to eradicate it at the root.

Please support both films: "The Interrupters" filmis playing exclusively in Chicago at the Gene Siskel Film Center; filmmakers and Interrupters will speak after some screenings of the film, which runs through Aug. 25 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Check here for details and showtimes:  http://bit.ly/mZK9o9   "On the Frontlines: Taking Back Our Streets" film is now on DVD, and can be obtained through the website: http://www.onthefrontlinemovie.com/purchase.html  and support CPS acquiring the film and educational materials by calling 312-371-4722 or emailing graceprd@aol.com

The 21st Grader

Today I saw the film "The First Grader".

It was an independent film about an older Kenyan man who wanted to learn how to read.   The joy of his triumph, despite his age and any other adversity was implied to the audience long before the movie began.  He would not fail, the students and teacher would learn from him, and the country and world would embrace his fortitude.  I did not intend this to be a movie "spoiler", but again, we have been so enamored with the Hollywood "Rocky" underdog formula, we can see it from a mile away, so this summary surely is no surprise to most.

'The First Grader' Lead character of Maruge (Actor Oliver Lintondo)

As a caveat, there is the backdrop of British imperialism and brutality to the Kenyans (in concert with other indigenous Afrikans, to be fair), that defines the impetus for the Kenyan's desire to learn to read. Though not surprising, they were terrible, and I will leave those details to your individual viewing of the movie.

But surprising to me was the vivid contrast of the main character's desire to learn versus the apathy of so many of today's students.  And this story was not some ancient tale come to life by movie magic.  The story  of the Kenyan-- who's name is Maruge-- happened in 2003.  The violence he saw during the 1950's in Kenya could easily be compared to the slave conditions of America in the 1800s: separation of families, killing and torture.  That period catapulted slaves, and America, into several tumultuous decades of struggle for equality. One that includes equal access to education, thanks to the US Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954.  Up until then, education for Blacks was in various forms illegal, or separate and unequal.

Yet now, as it is by law and of common knowledge, school is free and available to every student no matter their race,creed or culture. (The quality of that education is the topic for another blog.) But in just a mere 57 years since the Supreme Court decision, school attendance, high school graduation rates, particularly among African-Americans --the survivors of this African Holocaust-- have dropped continuously and precariously.  Somehow, the drive, the desire, the awareness of the struggles to gain access to education, and the power education has to elevate and empower individuals and communities...has been lost.    

And this basic education is only the starting point for entry onto the information superhighway and the knowledge economy.  The 21st century is an age where information travels across the world in seconds, and knowledge is disguised, coveted, hidden and sold.  In a world where more information is created in a day than in any previous century, we desperately need our students to have the dogged determination of Maruge as a "First Grader", but have a passionate desire for learning and continuous education needed as a 21st century student, or a '21st Grader'.

More information concerning the film can be found at: http://www.thefirstgrader-themovie.com/

Smiley, West & Parker: On the Obama Hunt

               "Obama is a bad President.
                Black people, specifically, need to stop identifying with Obama on the basis of race, and realize    
                that his policies are ineffective for the benefit of Americans in general, and are a detriment to
                African-Americans directly."

This is the general rhetoric and conclusions that certain prominent African-Americans are touting.  The reasoning varies: Tavis Smiley and Cornel West believe Obama has merely become a puppet to the rich and powerful, the "true" power-brokers that run America.  Lobbyists, Wall Street minions and international conglomerates dictate favorable policies to the detriment of the middle and lower class.  Unfortunately, this is how the political system has devolved.  The rich have the time and resources to manipulate the system.  Politicians are on 4-year cycles and fervently need the cash and influence that these provisional supporters give. Yes, this sucks.

And then there are the Ken Blackwell's and the Star Parker's of the world.  These Black pundits note that African-Americans are a bit overdue in taking on the full responsibility of the civil liberties that thousands died for.  They also note that religious fervor and reliance on governmental programs blind African-Americans to the economic self-reliance they need to move out of poverty.  But they blindly disregard the institutional racism and invisible capital that are critical to the upward mobility necessary to achieve any longevity in the middle class.

Sure there are some that can and have navigated their way through this maze; we congratulate and honor them.  The sacrifices and fortitude to achieve these lofty levels, businessmen and women, CEOs, financiers, and yes, even a President of the United States.  And the latter is a club of one.  But the fact remains, so many others haven't risen out of the bowels of poverty.  There needs to be understanding and action items for both those wanting to get out, as well as those lost in the aftermath of the struggle for equality.

I think African-Americans have seen in Obama a light of what can be.  Yes, for many--across the world-- Obama's election opened new vistas of opportunity and the possibility of change for themselves, for African-Americans, for Americans and for the world at large.  But it also validates for many that the greatest achievement is not just to win a seat at the table, but to begin to define what meal is being served and who else gets to eat. That is not so easily done.

I do think that Smiley, West and Parker have had just enough of a taste of the power-brokers crumbs, to feel positioned to articulate how Obama has failed to right the wrongs that have been leveled (and are continuously being leveled) by some of the same people they expose.  The unfortunate fact of the matter is that there are slim pickings for qualified people of Democratic leanings, let alone people of color, particularly those who can navigate to such a level of influence without getting some dirt on their resume.  If Obama had chosen Smiley for a position, maybe the Right would have put him in the cross-hairs for the fact that he hadn't finished college.  Or maybe West would have been crucified for anti-Semitic or class warfare rhetoric.

No matter the influential power-brokers that line up to enter the Oval Office, Obama has to look at his African-American wife and two African-American daughters and know there is a lineage that they came from, and will be going back to, that they will have to reckon themselves with.  This is something no other President has had to do, or will have to do, unless pundits like these are effective in influencing Americans that there is a better job the President could be doing navigating us out of this mess, and get us to elect someone with different views into office.  President Bachmann? President Romney? President Palin?  Can you hear us now?

The Other Games leaving Chicago...

The games are played all over the world.
There are enthusiasts from almost every country imaginable.
These games are expected to continue to grow well beyond a multi-billion dollar economy.
And their foothold in Chicago passed without so much as a wimper.
And no, it's not the 2016 Olympic games I'm referring to.
Give up?


How about some additional stats: 

• Including hardware and accessories, the sales of games for 2009 tallied to $19.66 billion.
• 65% of Americans actively participate in these games.
• This industry directly employs over 80,000 employees, with a projection of 250,000 jobs within the next year.

This is the video game industry.  And Chicago's footprint in this continuously growing industry is shrinking.  Midway Games of Chicago in no more after 22 years.


Midway Games was headquartered in Chicago, and produced some of the industries most well-known games: Space Invaders, Mortal Kombat, Ms. Pac-Man,Spy Hunter, Tron and NBA Jam. Midway Games employed over  550 employees with over $200 Million in revenue in 2008.  Competitiveness in the industry, and non-winning strategies of management focused on acquisitions that did not prove to be fruitful, contributed to the ultimate demise of the company.  

The company sought developers across the US, in Seattle, San Diego and as far away as Australia.  As Chicagoans, we must ask: why is there a need to import creativity?  Are we developing the talent, both creatively and business-wise to compete in today's-- and the future's-- global industries?  And for what talent there is, are we giving that talent the visibility they need to those Chicago establishments looking for them?  


California's Warner Brother's Interactive Division has bought Midway's assets and debts and has since shuttered most of the offices and acquistions.


Chicago has the desire and the resources to continue to be a globally competitive city.  But we have to dig deeper and look further ahead to make sure we leverage what we have and can compete in what coming Nexxt.  Losing people and businesses is not the way we want to play this game.


Data compiled from http://www.grabstats.com/  and http://www.playthings.com/