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The Student Newspaper of DePaul University

The DePaulia

The Student Newspaper of DePaul University

The DePaulia

The Student Newspaper of DePaul University

The DePaulia

Rapper Rhymefest on Chicago rap: ‘Overrated irrelevance’ regarding violent lyrics

Chicago’s violent reputation has been acknowledged by many local rappers, who now refer to the city as Chiraq, a chilling portmanteau that compares it with the warzone that is Iraq. Native to Chicago, rapper Rhymefest decided to draw attention to the issue with his upcoming album titled “Violence is Sexy,” meant to focus on “the pathology of violence within music and society in general and in specifics.”

“I saw documentaries coming out on violence in Chicago, and artists like Chief Keef were getting signed,” he said, in an attempt to explain the recent fascination with Chicago’s violence. “The music has a subject matter of ‘I kill you,’ and the media is fueling it.”

Gangsta rap is reappearing in Chicago under the name of drill, which doesn’t particularly seem to sit well with the rapper.

“It doesn’t sell many records and although local high schoolers may like it for its shock value, it’s not creating any sustainable talents,” he said. “Its impact hasn’t reached that of trap, or crunk or even the hyphy movement in Oakland. I’m starting to be of the mind that drill music is overrated irrelevance.” He hopes to bring a new aura of music to Chicago with his upcoming album.

He plans to do this by showing how violence has transformed into an entertainment medium, and in his album every song has a theme related to violence.

“There’s a song called ‘4th of July,’ about a guy that comes back from Iraq with PTSD, and another one about disciplining youth.” He would also like to release his album with a book of lyrics in relation to academic essays to tie it all together. “This would be revolutionary in hip hop,” he said. “And it would transform the rap industry as a whole.”

The rapper isn’t all talk, and in recent years has taken a break from the scene to take action, even running for city council. He didn’t win, but his efforts didn’t stop there. He created an organization with Kanye West called Dondas House, a three-month program that serves youth around the city and mainly focuses on artist development. This is achieved through rehearsal and writing etiquette and ultimately results with studio time for the young artists.

The two years away from the scene have impacted the rapper, who admits he’s grown from the experience.

“I understand now what ‘power’ truly is. True power doesn’t lie in cars, chains, hoes, guns and cocaine. True power is one’s capacity to empower others. Getting a million people to buy an album doesn’t display power, but when you can give an order or make a suggestion and fans move in that direction such as Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, James Brown etc… That shows power.” The rapper’s new perspective also sheds light on the current situation in Chicago. He points to poverty as being the main issue behind the city’s violence. He believes the solution is “sustainable constant involvement with community.” The rapper is taking action and making a difference with his album, set to drop in the upcoming year.

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