Midwest hip hop
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2008-07-16T22:00:26Z
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fixing genre capitalization mistakes per [[Wikipedia:MUSTARD#Capitalization|WP:MUSTARD]] -> [[Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style_(capital_letters)#Musical_genres|MOS:CAPS]] + cleanup.
{{Infobox Music genre
|name=Midwest rap
|bgcolor=#BB0022
|color=white
|stylistic_origins=[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], other influences
|cultural_origins= Early-1980s [[Midwestern United States]]
|instruments= Prominent [[drum machine]] - [[phonograph|Turntable]] - [[rapping]] - [[Sampler (musical instrument)|Sampler]] - [[synthesizer]] - [[human beatboxing]]
|popularity=Became a staple of popular music in the mid-to-late 1990s; dominant in the 2000s.
|derivatives=
}}
'''Midwest hip hop''' is [[hip hop music]] performed by artists from the [[Midwestern United States]]. In contrast with its [[East Coast hip hop|East Coast]], [[West Coast hip hop|West Coast]] and [[Southern hip hop|Southern]] counterparts, Midwest hip hop has very few constants. Its first dose of national popularity in the mid-90s was associated with fast-paced styles, of rappers such as [[Twista]] ([[Chicago]]), [[Eminem]] ([[Detroit]]) [[Rico Love]] ([[Milwaukee]]) and [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]] ([[Cleveland]]). However, subsequent acts which have since risen to national prominence such as [[Nelly]], [[D12]] and [[Kanye West]] share very few similarities. It is because these lack of constants between acts from different cities (and sometimes even between artists from the same city) that it can be extremely difficult to define a "typical" midwest sound. Another characteristic of Midwest hip hop is that beat tempos can range from 90 to about 180, while East Coast's beat tempo is 90-120, West Coast is 100-120, and Southern rap is 120-180.
==Chicago==
{{main|Chicago hip hop}}
Chicago has harbored several locally popular acts since the early 1990s, including [[Do or Die]],mr.two6nine (of Kalamazoo, Michigan), Crucial Conflict; the former being a fast-rapping GROUP associated with Twista,and the latter of which was a group with a decidedly down-home, country sound. Chicago soon became known for more than fast rapping with the rising popularity of [[Common (rapper)|Common Sense]], protege of producer [[No I.D.]], who put flippant battle raps over a jazzy backdrop. Other rappers in this vein included [[Vakill]], who also gained some notoriety in Chicago. [[Da Brat]], a female Chicago native, also had a hit in this period with [[Jermaine Dupri]]'s label [[So So Def]].
In 2004, [[Chicago]]an producer/rapper [[Kanye West]] broke the scene with his [[RIAA certification|multi platinum]] debut, ''[[College Dropout]]'' on [[Roc-A-Fella Records]]. He became an industry commodity, reworking and repopularizing [[Wu-Tang]] producer [[RZA]]'s style of speeding up Soul instrumental and vocal samples to fit hip hop beats. The style became known as "[[Alvin and the Chipmunks|chipmunk]] soul". The same year, West produced two hits for Twista, "Slow Jamz" and "Overnight Celebrity"; these led to the rapper's first platinum release, ''Kamikaze''. Also in 2004, Italian American rapper Mikie Da Poet put the spotlight on Chicago Hip Hop and opened up an international eye with his live Fox News performance. In 2005, Common (having dropped the "Sense" from his name) signed with Kanye's [[GOOD Music]], West also being a student of No I.D. This led to ''[[Be (Common album)|Be]]'', Common's second [[RIAA certification|gold album]], which some said revitalized his career.
Kanye attempted to push longtime associate [[Rhymefest]], a Chicago battle rapper and ghostwriter; his support helped carve the MC a local niche and some national attention. A guest spot on West's 2006 second album, ''[[Late Registration]]'', also solidified the buzz of up-and-coming Chicago rapper [[Lupe Fiasco]], whose debut album ''[[Food & Liquor]]'' was the #1 rap album in the country upon its release. His later album ''[[The Cool]]'' directly references his Chicago roots.
==Cleveland==
In the early 1990s, 5 drop outs formed the unit Bone Enterpri$e and took a one way bus ticket to Compton. They went searching for [[Eazy E]], a pioneer of gangsta rap, and signed to his label. They were signed to Ruthless when they got back to Cleveland for a concert, where they performed for Eazy on the spot. They changed their name to [[Bone Thugs N Harmony]] consisting of [[Flesh-N-Bone]] (now incarcerated), [[Layzie Bone]], [[Wish Bone]], [[Krayzie Bone]] and now solo artist [[Bizzy Bone]]. They created a style never heard in hip hop , a rapid-fire flow and melodic mesh of harmonizing vocals, a style they called the Cleveland Sound. They released their LP [[Creepin on ah Come Up]] with the smash single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Foe tha Love of $" featuring Eazy E. They were the first Midwest rappers to go platinum, the only ones to collaborate with greats like [[The Notorious BIG]], [[Tupac]], [[Big Pun]], and Eazy E while they were all living, and have sold more than 35 million records. Today they have their own label after contractual difficulties with Ruthless records. Their new album, [[Strength and Loyalty]], was released May 2007.
Today, in 2008, true [[Northeast Ohio]] (NEO) Hip-Hop has either a faux-southern sound (usually from inner city Cleveland/Akron), while the [[City of Youngstown]] (on the PA Line) preserves a more classic vibe. The city that in the '60s was called Little Chicago, typically makes music that is much more [[Detroit]] meets ''Philly'', than [[St. Louis]] or any other undeniably "Midwestern" place. To consider the cultures or subcultures of [[Cleveland]] and [[Kansas City]] "of the same region" is simple and archaic. The Hip-Hop, as well as the food, language, and values of these cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas are remarkably different. The terms [[Great Lakes]], [[Rustbelt]], [[Mideast]], "[[Northern]]", [[North-Central]], or [[Northeastern]] [[Interior]] are much accurate and clear in the study of music of the cities between [[Philadelphia]] and [[Denver]].
With the rise of the YouTube universe in a new "Generation Next" America, even places as small and poverty-stricken as [[Youngstown]] boast a brawny local hip-hop scene. Cleveland and [[Pittsburgh]] punk and mod. rock music dominate the regional limelight in this unique corner of the American [[Mideast]].
==Detroit==
{{main|Detroit hip hop}}
[[Detroit]] is continuing its proud [[Motown]] tradition of quality [[African American music]] with hip hop. Detroit began developing its own scene with a bevy of acts including [[Insane Clown Posse]] and [[Esham]], who put something of a [[horrorcore]] twist on hip hop. [[Slum Village]], and later their producer [[J Dilla]] with a solo career, each gained some growing recognition outside their local Detroit area, mostly through working with [[Native Tongues]]-associated acts such as [[Common (rapper)|Common]] and [[A Tribe Called Quest]]. [[Eminem]], a white rapper with a bent towards battle raps, slapstick humor and angst, was one of the first rappers to have a thoroughly visible career, beginning with his signing to [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[Aftermath Entertainment]] in 1999. Aide from some exceptions, in Detroit they are mainly into the [[Gangsta rap]] scene. The best known gangsta rappers from Detroit are [[Blade Icewood]], [[K-Doe]], [[Street Lordz]], [[Insane Clown Posse]],[[Rock Bottom]], [[Eminem]], [[Bizarre (rapper)|Bizarre]], [[EastSide Chedda Boyz]] and [[Big Herk]]. Eminem brought with him his Detroit-based group [[D12]] and friends [[Obie Trice]] and [[Royce da 5'9"]], increasing the Detroit scene's popularity.
==Kansas City==
[[Kansas City, Missouri]] has a burgeoning underground Hip-Hop Scene, with many artists actually declining from signing with any type of record labels. The Kansas City hip hop scene has a tendency to adopt artist who don't necessarily originate from Kansas City, Missouri. Artists from cities such as Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City, Kansas (among other suburbs and closer cities) often go to Kansas City for a broader audience, while still representing their original town of origin. A majority of Kansas City acts tend to blend Southern and Bay Area [[hyphy]] sounds, though more original acts are lean towards a more well rounded approach blending lyrical influences from both [[East Coast hip hop]] and [[West Coast hip hop]]. Notable rappers/groups include [[Tech N9ne]], [[Mac Lethal]], Rich the Factor, Sliccs Gotcha (Prince Of 10th Street), Approach, [[Solè]], [[Fat Tone]] (who was killed due to California rappers mistakingly thinking he killed [[Mac Dre]]), Reach, Stik Figa, Lucid, [[Big Krizz Kaliko]], S.H.A.D.O.W., [[Skatterman & Snug Brim]], Missouri Marley, 57th Street Rogue Dog Villains, [[SupreMe]], Negro Scoe, The Renegades, CES CRU, Sounds Good, Anti-Crew, Human Cropcircles and Deep Thinkers. All of which are steadily gaining acclaim, and working with both nationally and internationally known acts.
Though Kansas City has an amazing list of rappers in its repertoire, a lot of the scenes acclaim comes from the diversity and style of its producers. Though no less then 95% of hip hop producers in the area lean towards the typical [[hyphy]] sound, more original acts lean toward Kansas City's roots, which are more [[jazz]] and [[funk]] influenced. Notable producers who have adopted this style include Joc Max, and vocalist/trumpeter [[Miles Bonny]]. Artists such as Beatbroker take a more direct, "hard hitting" approach to their production. Though in some cases, Kansas City hip hop producers adopt a more, [[abstract hip hop|abstract]] / [[electronica]] experimentally based sound. Producers gaining recognition using such techniques include Leonard D-Stroy,and Nezbeat. Though most say they only make hip hop music, many Kansas City producers borrow elements from all genres and coast styles, to form their sound.
==Milwaukee==
Milwaukee hip hop dates back to the early 80’s, but it first received national attention in [[1992]] when [[Arrested Development (rap)|Arrested Development]]-whose front-man, Speech, is a native of the city-strung together a set of commercially successful hits.
Until the end of the 1990’s, the Milwaukee scene was largely confined to the city’s (predominantly black) North Side. However, as members of the hip hop generation began to attend college in the early 2000’s, cultural organizations at the [[University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee]] began to invite acts such as [[dead prez]] and [[Talib Kweli]] to perform on the East Side campus. The success of these shows led to local groups with similar followings, such as Black Elephant and Rusty P’s being booked for on-campus sets as well. This, in turn, opened the door for the local acts to play off-campus venues on the East Side such as Onopa (now Stonefly) Shank Hall, Up & Under and BBC that had previously been off limits to hip hop (presumably due to the stereotypes associated with such crowds).
Meanwhile, [[Memphis]] club music was rapidly finding its way to Milwaukee’s North Side via southern transplants and North Siders who either had relatives and/or attended college in the area. During this time, Coo Coo Cal, who had a more “typical” Midwestern quick-tongued style (albeit, with a noticeably slower delivery) enjoyed moderate commercial success with his debut single “My Projects” and the follow-up “How Does It Feel.” The result is a more artistically driven scene that is centered on the East Side, and a more commercially driven scene that is centered on the North Side.
The East Side scene is characterized by socially and politically charged lyrics, neo-soul influences and the relatively common use of live instrumentation. Some of these acts include Dameon Elizley, Def Harmonic, Element Everest, Haz Solo, Rusty P’s, Sose, and Taste Emcees. The use of live bands by many of these acts has also influenced some Milwaukee-based soul bands such as Growing Nation and Urban Sol to incorporate MC’s into their acts.
Conversely, the North Side scene is characterized by its gritty lyrics, southern club music influences and willingness to follow commercial trends. Acts such as [[Rico Love]], and Miko have had (or been featured on) commercially successful singles in recent years. [[Streetz & Young Deuces]] , 2006 Get Em Magazine Award Winners, have gained national support by putting out mixtapes with the Hittmenn Djs, Core Djs, Future Star Djs & Shadyville Djs. The Mil is also home to Baby Drew, the "ghetto hero." The city is also home to producers such as the Lmntlyst, The Surgeon (who is affiliated with Nelly and Derrty ENT) [[Swift G]] (produced for Arista Records), Big City (Midwest Funk/ X-rated), JR Da Supastar, Scottie Knoxx, J Billa (Ghost-town), Durty Mouf, Big Hank, Dylan Thomas, and Komossi, the gangsta rapper/producer who invented the "R.S.B" style or ride, slide & bounce sometimes compared to what's called gangsta bounce but with a more roller coaster ride effect.
==Minnesota==
{{main|Twin Cities hip hop}}
Although strictly underground, there existed a sub-terraean hip hop culture in the Twin Cities starting as early as 1981. Similar to the development of hip hop in the South Bronx, Twin Cities rap started as humble parties with a DJ and an emcee.<ref> {{cite journal|title=One Nation, Invisible: The Untold Story of TC hip hop, 1981-1996 |journal=City Pages|date=2004-08-18|first=Peter S. |last=Scholtes| volume=25 |issue=1237 |pages= |issn=0744-0456 |url=http://citypages.com/databank/25/1237/article12383.asp |format=|accessdate=2007-11-27 }}</ref> A DJ named Travitron was comparable to the [[DJ Kool Herc]] of the Twin Cities area. Shows took place at many venues, most notoriously Club Hip Hop on Selby Avenue in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]]. Other artists and DJs include Disco T, Verb X, Brother Jules, Delite, and Truth Maze. The first real album to come out of the Twin Cities was called ''[[The I.R.M. Crew]]'', released in 1985. Graffiti and [[b-boy]] crews were also existent in the city. This is the world that the current movers of Twin Cities Hip Hop were brought up in.
The main movers of Twin Cities Hip Hop came together to form the group ''Headshots'', a precursor to the [[Rhymesayers Entertainment]] label. Members of this group included [[Slug (rapper)|Slug]], [[I Self Devine]], Micranots, Musab, Siddiq, and [[Ant (producer)|Ant]]. Slug was one of the main artists to move into the foreground, setting the tone for the style of music to follow in the years to come.
The Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop is an annual event hosted by Yo! The Movement, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the power of community through hip-hop culture. Over the past five years nearly 20,000 people from around the world have taken part in the festival and conference. Past participants include [[Slick Rick]], [[MC Lyte]], [[Cee-Lo]] of [[Gnarls Barkley]], [[Clipse]], [[Camp Lo]], [[Crazy Legs]], [[Slug (rapper)|Slug]] of [[Atmosphere (music group)|Atmosphere]], [[Jean Grae]], [[Asia-One]], EWOK (HM Crew), [[Brother Ali]], and many others.
== St. Louis ==
At the same time, [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] rapper [[Nelly]] hit with a smash single and album, ''[[Country Grammar]]'' in 2000. Nelly and his [[St. Lunatics]] collective went on to a career driven by commercial singles, while Eminem, D12 and Obie Trice formed [[Shady Records]] and proceeded into national and international consciousness. In 2004, [[FLAME]], also from St. Louis, became the first national Christian hip hop artist from the Midwest. Gospel singer Praiz' also hit the St. Louis scene with his 2006 crossover hit "Deliver Me" in 2005. [[Da Banggaz]], a trio which consists of 2 males and a female, are a locally acclaimed hip hop group from St. Louis whose style and lyrics seems more southern and fight orientated, similar to that of [[Atlanta, GA|Atlanta's]] [[Crime Mob]]. St. Louis native [[chingy]] signed to Atlanta rapper Ludacris' label [[Disturbing tha Peace|DTP]]. [[Jibbs]], received his major deal at age 15 gaining popularity with hits such as [[Chain Hang Low]] and [[King Kong (Jibbs song)|King Kong]], the latter featuring Texas rapper [[Chamillionaire]]. Another St. Louisian, [[J-Kwon]], gained popularity at the age of 17 with the controversial single [[Tipsy (song)|Tipsy]]. [[Akon]] (born in St. Louis but raised in [[Senegal|Senegal, Africa]]) is known for his African melodic singing is also a native of St. Louis. Rapper [[Huey (rapper)|Huey]] received recognition with the single [[Pop, Lock & Drop It]]. [[Ebony Eyez]] was the first female out of St. Louis to gain recognition.
St. Louis also has a hip hop scene that is known both underground and locally. Other St. Louis acts includes Gena, Kyjuan, Ludy, Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R., Kydd Trell, Zinn, Shorty Da Kid, Potzee, Tha Deck, Ruka Puff, KoKo, Ray Da Kidd, Lil Roge, Mankey, and several others. Many are associated with the local movement called "The New St. Louis" including a local indie record label called "7fourteen Entertainment". Many St. Louis artists are normally associated with native production label "Track Boyz" who produced for both J-Kwon and Jibbs.
==Madison, WI==
[[Madison, WI]] has a relatively small underground [[Hip hop]] scene. Artists such as L.O.S.T.S.O.U.L.S, Smokes, DLO and Profound are local favorites. Madison party scene is included in many lyrics. Madison is greatly influenced by neighboring [[Milwaukee's|Milwaukee]] scene.
==Current and future trends==
Currently, several Midwest acts are verging on national recognition, including The Surgeon from Milwaukee (up and coming producer) Marissa Illinois rapid-fire MC, [[MC Promo]] MobScene (made up of Bonez and Promo). Self Produced team [[The mobscene]] has also been making waves. upon the release of their rap star-studded mixtape, ''[[Dusk Til Dawn]]''. The Midwest today is considered to be very popular in equal levels with the [[Dirty South]]. Unlike the West Coast, East Coast, and Southern genres, Midwest rap seems to have no (if not, very little) interest, or reference of competition with other regions.
While the Midwest recently lost some of its most supported acts, namely Proof of [[D12]] and [[J Dilla]], other artists stand to uphold the area's scene. [[Royce da 5'9]]", long eluded by commercial fame, is currently working on an album with [[DJ Premier]] and may sign with [[Nas]]'s [[The Jones Experience]]; Upcoming young rappers such as [[Boss Whalin]] and [[Denzy]], from Kansas City, Kansas, are releasing their debut album title [[From My Hood To Out The Hood]] and Denzy's mixtape album [[Tha Come Up Vol.1]]; [[Lupe Fiasco]] has announced his next album, anticipated by a (mostly internet-based) cult following. [[Kanye West]] and [[Common]] have also both announced their next albums on [[GOOD Music]], to be released sometime in '07. [[Bone Thugs-N-Harmony]] are also releasing their 7th studio album as a trio ([[Flesh-N-Bone]] is in jail liable for parole in 2008 and [[Bizzy Bone]] left the group, Bizzy is also releasing an album this year titled [[A Song for You]]. On April 17, 2007 will [[Strength and Loyalty]], be released of [[Interscope]]/[[Full Surface Records|Full Surface]], with the singles [[I Tried]] feat. [[Akon]], and [[Lil L.O.V.E. (song)|Lil L.O.V.E.]]. Rumored appearances from one time rival Twista, Mariah Carey, The Game, Akon, and many more plus production from Swizz Beatz. Early 2008, hip hop duo , [[Streetz & Young Deuces]] hit it big with their single "Dougie" & "Dat Guy" independently distributed through [[itunes]] and [[Rhapsody]]. With the success of these club driven track they have caught the attention of several major record labels.
==List of notable artists==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Atmosphere (music group)|Atmosphere]]
*[[Anybody Killa]]
*[[Bizzy Bone]]
*[[Black Milk]]
*[[Blaze Ya Dead Homie]]
*[[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]]
*[[Bow Wow]]
*[[Brother Ali]]
*[[Cashis]]
*[[Cecil Otter]]
*[[CHANES!]]*
*[[Chingy]]
*[[Common (rapper)|Common]]
*[[Crucial Conflict]]
*[[Current Events]]
*[[Da Brat]]
*[[Dead Bodies]]
*[[DJ Abilities]]
*[[Do or Die]]
*[[Ebony Eyez]]
*[[Elzhi]]
*[[Eminem]]
*[[Esham]]
*[[Eyedea]]
*[[Eyedea & Abilities]]
*[[FLAME]]
*[[GLC]]
*[[Heiruspecs]]
*[[Hot Stylz]]
*[[Huey (rapper)|Huey]]
*[[Insane Clown Posse]]
*[[J Dilla]]
*[[Cousin Skeeter|Lil Skeeter]]
*[[MC Juice]]
*[[Nelly]]
{{col-2}}
*[[JAWS]]
*[[J-Kwon]]
*[[Kanye West]]
*[[Lupe Fiasco]]
*[[Movement]]
*[[Obie Trice]]
*[[Oddjobs]]
*[[P.O.S.]]
*[[Proof]]
*[[RSP]]
*[[Ray Cash]]
*[[Rhymefest]]
*[[Rico Love]]
*[[Royce Da 5'9"]]
*[[Rusty Pelicans]]
*[[Shawnna]]
*[[Skatterman & Snug Brim]]
*[[St. Lunatics]]
*[[Streetz & Young Deuces]]
*[[Tech N9ne]]
*[[The Ghost Writers]]
*[[Tone Tone]]*
*[[Trick Trick]]
*[[Twista]]
*[[Twiztid]]
*[[Unknown Prophets]]
*[[Yung Berg]]
*[[The Surgeon]]
{{col-end}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://detroithiphop.net A journey through Detroit Hip Hop]
* [http://midwest-connection.net MWC - Midwest Rap Network]
{{hiphop}}
[[Category:American hip hop genres]]
[[Category:Midwest hip hop producers]]
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