Words by Ryan Chandler (@NayrRyChi)
Chicago’s 4th of July weekend is always explosive. People throughout the city took in many events the city has to offer. Whether you watched the lakeside fireworks (or your eyelids), chowed down at a cookout 0r went to the Grateful Dead concert — there was plenty to do. Chicago’s traffic was tight and thick from South Shore t0 Wicker Park, River North to Chatham, and Hyde Park to Oak Park. If you were anything like me, then you had different engagements to attend all throughout all corners of the city.
With so many places to go, there was plenty of time spent in the whip. It is pretty common to ride around during Chicago summers with your windows rolled down and the music cranked up (way up). I’m that guy who is dancing like an idiot, completely oblivious to the stares and smirks from the surrounding cars. I’m the DJ, and the driver’s seat becomes the dance floor. This personal interaction between the driver and their music choice reveals a lot.
The music played in a car gives an impression of people’s music preferences and an idea on what artist’s and songs are impacting the culture of the city. When interviewed, artists have expressed the appreciation that comes with hearing their song played in people’s cars. The accomplishment is like an artistic stepping stone, and I always take notice to what artists and songs I am constantly hearing in traffic.
That five to 10 second interaction drivers share can reveal many musical tastes. Pass The Aux Cord is a list of the top 5 artists heard moving around the city and sitting in traffic. The list features current local rap artists who were heard on five or more different occasions over the holiday weekend. Now don’t get me wrong, I heard a plethora of genres and artists and I love roaring Harley’s blasting Old School and “Dusties,” but this list focuses on which local Hip-Hop artists are truly hot in the streets. Check out the list below…