Monday Music Digest: Rockie Fresh, Rhymefest, and Freddie Gibbs
By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 11, 2011 8:40PM
Over the weekend, lots of interesting music news broke, not the least of which was the announcement of the Wicker Park Fest line-up. To compile the other noteworthy items, we've assembled this handy Monday Music Digest. There's news from Rhymefest, Rockie Fresh, Rabble Rabble and more!
Rhymefest gets back to music:
Having forced incumbent 20th Ward Ald. Willie Cochran into April's supplemental election, then raised the issue of voting irregularities only to eventually backtrack, Grammy-award winning rapper Rhymefest is back to his day job: Making music.
On Sunday, Rhymefest tweeted out he was working on a new album, which he is currently titling "Courtesy of Chicago." Rhymefest also went on a philosophical Twitter tear on Monday, comparing the communal effects of music against those of politics. (Rhymefest Twitter page).
Rockie Fresh drops new track:
Still going strong after the December 2010 release of his second mixtape, The Otherside (check out our review here), Chicago emcee Rockie Fresh released a new track, "We About It," over the weekend.
In addition to the new song, for an upcoming mixtape compilation titled Supply & Demand, Fresh just opened for both of Patrick Stump's sold-out shows at Schubas.
MP3: Rockie Fresh "We About It"
Freddie Gibbs announces deal with Young Jeezy:
Gary's own gangster rapper Freddie Gibbs gave concertgoers at Chicago's Bottom Lounge some long-rumored, but unexpected news Saturday: Gibbs, who has gained increasing popularity with a series of mixtapes, signing with popular Def Jam artist Young Jeezy's CTE label. Watch the video below, courtesy of Fake Shore Drive.
In other news:
Chicago psych-rockers Great Society Mind Destroyers, Rabble Rabble and Killer Moon are all tentatively set to contribute tracks to local label 'Spective Audio forthcoming compilation titled SPCTV CS5: Vital-Sound I, according to a post on the label's blog.
The compilation, set to see release in May, features Atlanta-based psychedelic bands on one side, and Chicago-based bands on the other. 'Spective has some perceptive words about the Windy City's up-and-coming crop of psych-minded groups, and you can read those here.