Artist Leo W3st from Chicago’s West Side, alongside producer DommOrElse, recently released his latest project Just HML, featuring a number of talented artists including Mick Jenkins and Jack Social. Leo W3st is making an impact on the independent hip-hop scene with his music, which is both nostalgic and innovative, rhythmic, lyrical, and melodic. The distinctive Just HML features 16 unique tracks, with refreshing beats and sticky hooks throughout. It’s perfect for a cruise around the city. The album is a testament to Leo W3st’s creative power and growing popularity and we’re excited to see what he does next! Check out the album below!
Chicago heavyweight Mick Jenkins is back, in a major way. He’s been letting off some videos over the last few months, but the complete album is finally here, and it’s fire. With only a few carefully chosen features, Mick does the heavy lifting himself bringing densely packed lyrics throughout the project. Tee-WaTT and Renzel handle the bulk of the production with a few others in the mix, and the result is a hard hitting front to back album thats among the best 2021 rap releases.
On the heels of growing critical acclaim and buzz, midwest rapper (I)Deal is back with his second single of the year, “Unconventional”, featuring Chicago heavyweight Mick Jenkins. On the aptly titled song, (I)Deal brings a truly unique and inspired flow, rising to the occasion with two impressive verses to open and close the track. Mick Jenkins slides in with veteran presence for 20 bars of dense wordplay we’ll be dissecting for a minute. Both emcees match the intensity of the powerful soul samples and raw electric guitar riffs and massive drums for an all around slap that will have us looking out for more from (I)Deal.
Chicago collective 119 Productions just released their compilation Countdown 2 Midnight featuring some of their region’s dopest talent. Our favorite track was “Aurora Borealis,” a collab between rising hip hop star Mick Jenkins and Producer/DJ Kaytranada. Enjoy, and check out the rest of the compilation at countdown2midnight.com!
Midwest Rapper Ideal kicked in the door of the hip hop industry and has been making a major impression from touring with Griselda’s own Conway and dropping new music with Benny The Butcher, Mick Jenkins and October London. His one of a kind flow and delivery has transcended through his music garnering major press features on The Source.com, RespectMyRegion, Allhiphop.com, Hiphopcanada & more. His latest single “The Crown,” highlights Ideal’s commercial appeal to a broader audience and solidifies his lane in hip hop. Produced by his partner in crime Pooney, the single showcases the melodic hook infused with an effortless flow of bars from Benny the Butcher and Ideal himself. The Crown is a preview of what’s featured on Ideal’s highly anticipated LP release “Scatterbrained,” dropping early 2023.
Atlanta’s dynamic duo EarthGang have been on a roll for the last year or so and they show no signs of stopping. They had a few excellent contributions on Dreamville Records’ grammy nominated, certified gold album, Revenge of the Dreamers III, and their debut LP Mirrorland is a rock solid exhibition of their multidimensional talents. The two MC’s, Olu and WowGr8, are on a national tour to support the album along with Chicago great Mick Jenkins, and Portland’s up and comer Wynne. Their Feb 3rd appearance at Cervantes Ballroom in Denver marked EarthGang’s 11th consecutive sellout show on the tour, and we were lucky enough to experience the party. Their incredible performance lived up to high expectations, check out the photo recap below captured by our friend Blake Jackson. After this unforgettable show, we’re looking to forward to seeing what else EarthGang has in store for 2020.
