You know Paypa. A central figure of the legendary Chicago hip-hop collective, Project Mayhem. He’s been a part of some of the greatest songs, videos and one-off projects of the past 5-10 years, and today he puts his best foot forward on the solo tip with his new short film, PAYPAMAN The Film. This three-part series kicks off today with “Off The Grid,” the first of the hair-raising and riveting trilogy. Walk with Paypa through the mean streets of Chicago and Los Angeles, and watch him tell his gritty story — the only way he knows how.
The next two parts of the video will be dropping weekly (the 24th and the 31st, respectively.) The soundtrack for the film will drop shortly thereafter, so yeah this isn’t just some video — it’s an all encompassing event. Paypa tells us:
“I am really excited to return with a project like this. Chicago has had a checkered relationship with hip hop, which I believe stops people from really understanding what we go through in this city. On one hand you’ve got an international city that is loved around the world but often times growing up in the city can feel like torture.” Paypa believes this project will help people understand why artist such as Kanye, Common and Project Mayhem had to take unchartered routes to success but says, “Nevertheless we are here now and ready to show hip hop just how real Chicago can be. We stay ready.
So check out part one below, and be sure to spread the word. Welcome back, Paypaman. Now get to the bag. Go “Off The Grid” now.
OFF THE GRID from Andre Thomas on Vimeo.