Since Kanye West's hotly anticipated new disc, Graduation, has slipped its way onto the internets we figured it was time to break out our review copy and share a few of our thoughts earlier than we had planned. While we enjoyed his last two discs, we felt that, for the most part, the man could do with a bit of editing. The new one arrives leaner and more focused than previous efforts, and while West's... more ›

Even though rapper 50 Cent proclaimed to the world earlier this month that he would quit music (and deprive the world of another "In Da Club") if Chicago native Kanye West's new album "Graduation" sold more copies than his new CD "Curtis," the two have reportedly ended their feud via the universal peace maker -- alcohol. The two are both dropping albums on Sept. 11 and have been debating in the press for the past... more ›

Just when we thought it was safe to look up when walking downtown or driving our cars, the billboards have begun attacking again. This time they aren’t happy with reminding us about our big nose, fat thighs, and horrible mates – this time they’ve attacked what our ears are getting out of those earbuds. St. Sabina Church is erecting billboards that decry disrespectful rappers. There are seven artists, per a call to St. Sabina, who... more ›

Back in May of 2003 we started watching one of the few reality shows that had us hooked from the first episode. Four years later we're still watching and have become borderline obsessive/compulsive about America's Next Top Model. It's not Tyra that's the draw for us. Nor is it Twiggy, the original waif. Not Nigel Barker who is "married", nor is it even really about the girls competing for the big win (well, maybe just... more ›

We’ve heard of East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop feuds, but how does the Second City figure in? Apparently, the latest feud involves Chicago’s Nice Peter, who combine improv with rock, versus 50 Cent. Now, we’re not giving a huge amount of credence to this “feud” because we don’t really believe that 50 Cent has actually heard the song that’s causing the ruckus — “50 Cent is a Pussy” off the latest Nice Peter live... more ›

Ice Cube vs. Oprah. The ultimate Celebrity Death Match. more ›

Herman's Gem-Bar Lounge and Grill has been a staple of Bridgeport since 1920 and yet in the six-plus years we've lived in the neighborhood we never patronized the place. Maybe it was their tag line: "the 'gem' of Old Bridgeport", which to Chicagoist harks back to the days of male-dominated ethnic "sports clubs", political deals made at the end of a bar and a beer, and racial epithets casually tossed about like the first words of a child. Maybe it was its location in the largely industrial Loomis Street corridor linking Bridgeport with Pilsen, or the slight musty and polluted aroma rising from the Chicago River's south branch located yards from the front door. Upon passing the place we often joked that the gem in question was cut from zircon. Regardless of the reason we left there yesterday cursing that we hadn't visited before. more ›

As a result of connections we made through our day of schmoozing and taking bribes like we were George Ryan, Chicagoist was invited to attend yet another exclusive Lexus event last night at Reserve.
more ›