Chicago Rap

Chicago Rap, which kicked off in the late 1990s amidst the windy city's vibrant streets, is a delightful mash-up of lyrical bravado and social commentary, proving that the South Side has more to offer than just deep-dish pizza. It’s characterised by its varied soundscapes, blending traditional hip hop with elements of house music, almost as if the artists thought, 'Why not get the dancefloor moving whilst discussing life's tragedies?' The culture of the genre is so deeply rooted that you might find debates on the best Windy City emcee in every pub, complete with passionate hand gestures and the occasional 'I was there!' anecdote.