Words by David Drake (@somanyshrimp)
Named after Ice Cube’s beloved hit, We Be Clubbin’ is a new monthly series penned by So Many Shrimp’s David Drake. He’ll be speaking with Chicago’s top DJ’s to find out exactly what local records they’re playing in the clubs, what artists are making the playlists, and what songs are working. In the first installment, Mr. Drake caught up with DJ V-Dub and DJ Aramis. So without further ado…
With 8 major label signings and the industry turned towards Chicago, it might be hard to believe that some are denying that Chicago currently has a movement under way; a few have accused it of being an internet or media fabrication, or argued that it was willed into being by ‘hype’ and blog narratives alone. Others have argued that the coverage is arbitrary, that many cities are just getting online as well, and it’s purely through media myopia that Chicago is receiving this attention.
Obviously Chicago isn’t the only scene creating great rap music; many other region’s scenes deserve more attention, too. But Chicago’s renaissance does have a real-world, localized basis, and a distinct aesthetic both visually and musically that sets its apart from other regions. The streets ‘discovering’ YouTube was a spark to made that scene visible, and helped propel its stars locally as well as nationally. But it wasn’t the only spark, nor was it the only place where that scene exists.* Prior to local radio and bloggers jumping on board, the drill scene was driven by a closed system where artists interacted and exchanged musical ideas, which included at least five interlocking parts; YouTube. Social media. Chicago’s high schools. The streets. And the clubs.
Talk to anyone from hip hop’s first generation and they’ll tell you that before rappers, DJs were the stars. This column is going to be a monthly feature for an often-ignored part of Chicago’s hip hop scene: club DJs. A few club DJs who supported ‘the drill scene’ — Victoriouz, Twin, V-Dub and Amaris, amongst others — spun at a loose network of clubs and parties throughout the south side, and particularly, the south suburbs. Katie Got Bandz told me once that she noticed more and more Chicago artists in the clubs — particular drill-oriented spots like Adrianna’s, The Lick and The Zone — beginning back in the fall of 2011. At this point, DGainz, alongside other videographers like Citi Boi Skillz and Zae, had minted local stars on a high school level. DJs began to pick up on the buzz these artists had created; Amaris claims to be the first Chicago DJ to break Keef’s music in clubs, and had thrown shows for Lil Reese, Lil Durk and Keef throughout 2011.
The internet did not make Chief Keef a star; Chicago teenagers were first.
This fact is easily forgotten as a national hype machine has grabbed a hold of his career, as countless New York journalists find themselves chasing down an artist they don’t even understand or particularly enjoy. But his popularity locally was very real. Artists hoping to emulate his path to success are skipping some very important points that led to his ascension, and most artists — particularly those interested in building a fanbase that will support them once they hype outside of the city has died down, would be smart to pay attention to it.
With this monthly column, we’ll take a look at the DJs playlists. DJ V-Dub and DJ Amaris both sent top ten lists of the biggest local songs they played in the month of June, whether by crowd enthusiasm, number of requests or any other metric. Some of the tracks will be obvious — Keef remains a favorite — but it will give people an idea of the kind of music that is actually getting played in the drill scene (or, at least, that DJs claim is getting played in the drill scene), rather than filtering it entirely through bloggers who aren’t a part of it. This isn’t to suggest that music videos aren’t an important part of the local scene ecosystem; Amaris will readily admit that he first found Keef when he saw his younger brother watching his videos. But it should make people realize what makes the drill scene a ‘scene,’ a genuine regional grassroots movement, is much more complex than a few ‘tastemakers’ finding your video of the kids on your block standing around with guns and a wad of cash.
*And it should go without saying, it’s not the only scene in Chicago buzzing right now either.
June 2012
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S/O DJ VDUB 4 SHOWING KING SAMSON SUM LOVE…THAT “PARTY & BULLSHIT” MIXTAPE ON LIVEMIXTAPES A CLASSIC #SALUTE CHI ON THE RISE