If you can get past Chicago’s internationally-known Drill Rap scene, there is a second Rap Renaissance going on- born out of a youth program called YOUmedia. Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, and Cam O’bi all got their start with this organization. These rappers keep a strong clutch on poetry in their raps, which is unique in this age of Trap. They all rely heavily on lyrics and spit in a very different manner from a lot of their contemporaries. Instead of hard punchlines and quotables, they use the length of the song to paint a picture of their message using beautiful, tongue-twisting, abstract language that tugs on your mind and heart. They can rap about thought-provoking content and leave it for the listener to piece together every little thing that they are saying. Check out this playlist to introduce yourself to the new generation of lyricists.
Grammy’s Babies – Cam O’bi
Very smooth and dreamy instrumental produced my Cam O’bi himself. He softly raps over this beat with a light, spirited flow and he sings a sweet, catchy melody for the hook.
Tenderheaded – Cam O’bi
In this song, also produced by Cam O’bi, Cam and Smino (a St. Louis rapper that found his musical identity in Chicago) rap about their internal struggles as black men. Smino comes in for a verse talking about his falsified view of women because of the media and his struggle with finding his career in music.
Lost (feat. Noname) – Chance the Rapper
Here we have Chance over more of a trap-type instrumental produced by Nate Fox. Chance delivers on a great verse and catchy, melodic hook. Noname also comes through with a solid verse.
What a Life – MfnMelo
MfnMelo is a member of Saba’s crew Pivot Gang, all of whom are out of Chicago. This song is produced by fellow Chicagoan Monte Booker, who is Smino’s main producer and part of his group Zero Fatigue.
Shadow Man – Noname
This masterpiece is a soulful,gospel rap vibe with a beautiful instrumental and harmonizing vocals from Phoelix and Cam O’bi. Noname, Saba, and Smino all have great verses and fit perfectly on the instrumental. Smino, Saba, and Noname now are in a group called Ghetto Sage.
Casket Pretty – Noname
In this short, sweet, and powerful track, Noname talks about the killings of young black men and women especially in her home of Chicago. The instrumental was made by Phoelix and Saba.
Ace – Noname
Ghetto Sage meets up again on Noname’s album Room 25 with this upbeat yet soulful instrumental produced by Phoelix. In this song, Smino displays his ability to execute beautiful hooks while Noname and Saba show off their raw rapping abilities.
Church / Liquor Store – Saba
Saba and Noname rap over a Cam O’bi instrumental talking about their Chicago experience.
Smile – Saba
Produced by Saba, daedaePIVOT, and Daoud…off of Saba’s 2018 album Care For Me. This track finds Saba showing off his lyricism on a bright beat that feels smothered by a shadow.
Amphetamine – Smino
Produced by Monte Booker, Phoelix, and J.Robb. This track features Bari, a fellow Zero Fatigue member, Jean Deaux, a Chicago singer and rapper, and Noname.
Anita – Smino
Produced by Monte Booker, off of Smino’s freshman album Blkswn. A masterpiece of a beat and has a great soulful hook.
LIFE – Saba
Produced by Saba, daedaePIVOT, and Daoud. A fan favorite off of Care For Me with a standup-bass melody and aggressive flow.
Wild Irish Roses – Smino
Produced by Monte Booker, this is a slow short song with an extremely infectious beat and a hook to match it.
