Chrissy's World: Vol. 1
Photography by Michael Salisbury
About a month ago, the good people at These Days reached out and asked if I'd be down to write a regular column where I could list my favorite Chicago songs that are getting me through the week and talk about the city's vibrant culture. Not sure if they know what they got themselves into (thanks, Pedro!), but I was obviously super excited to accept.
My dad says that I'm "someone to be trusted when it comes to music," and I'm 100% putting that on a t-shirt. He's absolutely correct, but I also learned from the best. I grew up with Cat Stevens and Jimi Hendrix scoring our long car rides around the Chicagoland suburbs (lol), and music promptly became my girl for life.
About a year ago (mid-pandemic), I decided that I would move to L.A. in May of 2021, no matter what. I buckled down and got really focused on a TV pilot that I was writing, and as time went on, I became more and more certain that there was nothing left for me in this city I've called home my whole life. Well, Chicago had other plans. Just pages before I finished writing my pilot, I ran into an old friend who, turns out, runs a film production company. I can't say much about it because I signed an NDA (btw does anyone else feel like NDAs are such a turn-on? I'm a talker, clearly, so the forbidden fruit of it all just feels so naughty). Still, the synchronicity of our reunion made me feel like something was determined to keep me here, and I started to really fall back in love with this city and everything and everyone in it.
Then These Days hit me up to write for them, and it's just really become undeniable that I'm supposed to sit down and stay my ass here. Music keeps following me, man! I can't escape it. So many of my closest, oldest, dearest friends and favorite people in the whole wild world are heavy players in the Chicago music scene, and I'm honestly delighted to shed light on their talent. This shit is genuinely so fun for me, and re-ignites my passion in ways I didn't think were possible anymore. So, thank you, in all seriousness, These Days (let me not get choked up here).
On a lighter note, I am accepting song submissions and romantic suitor applications in the form of hydrangea bouquets + concert tickets, in case you missed it. And yes! This column will double as my Personal's page.
So let us begin, shall we? Here we go!
Nascent • “Got Fired”
I am loving Chicago underdog and super-producer Nascent's latest project, Minus The Bullshit, Life's Great, but the first track, in particular, is the one I keep coming back to. The juxtaposition of the phone call from his douchey ex-boss, paired with the ethereal chords and heavenly harmonizing in the background, makes for an unexpected intro that kicks off a truly remarkable project. My jaw remains on the floor in blissful surprise & delight as I run it back for the third time in a row.
The vocals, the lyrics, the beats (obviously), and the intriguing digital album art somehow create what feels like a feature film from start to finish.
Fun fact: Nascent produced everybody's favorite song, “Good Days” by SZA.
Funner fact: He also helped me up after I fell down an entire flight of stairs leaving East Room's last party ever in November of 2019. And it's still RIP East Room —gone but never forgotten. Might even still have the bruises to prove it.
Listen on Spotify • Apple Music • Youtube
Smino, Monte Booker & The Drums • “Backstage Pass”
Name a better duo —I’ll wait. These two need absolutely no introduction whatsoever. Gracing the column for the first (but certainly not the last) time are honorary Chicagoan/absolute-rap-god Smino (St. Louis native, but I can say with full certainty that we claim him), and Chicago’s legend-in-the-making and beat-maker extraordinaire Monte Booker with their 2020 single “Backstage Pass” featuring a rework of an old The Drums song.
The OG Zero Fatigue members have taken the industry by storm with their unique style of production and word-bending raps, and this song is just more proof in the pudding. As my editor said, "Smino proves, again, that he can rap over anything." It just works, man! The Sound? Fire. Always. Visuals? Clean. Immaculate. No comparison.
Monte and Smino have both since left us to lead the third or whatever exodus from Chicago to LA, but they're officially forgiven. We get it!
THE HOT TAKE: S/o to Rice & Gravy, but I was today years old when I realized I'd been sleeping on this song right motherfucking here.
Very, very weird and deliciously genre-less. Kind of serving up 'Black Beatles' by Rae Sremmurd but like, cooler and fresher, you know? I can't really figure it out, and that only makes me like it more.
Go crazy, babies. And please keep 'em coming. We love to see it.
Oh, and speaking of backstage passes, I’ll gladly accept any and all of them on behalf of These Days and myself, TYSM <3.
Listen on Spotify • Apple Music • Youtube
Juice Beatz • “LINGO“
This shit is so hot; I scream every time I hear it. Somebody put some respect on this man's name immediately, if not sooner. I actually can't stop listening to this. Open a new tab and fire this shit up right RIGHT now. Just trust me.
Listen on Spotify • Apple Music • Youtube
Booman Forever • “Woods“
A very good friend of mine (up-and-coming Chicago recording artist & fellow music nerd, BLAkkkMALE) recently put me onto Chicago artist/producer/writer/director Booman Forever, and he's kind of a wizard with the production, I gotta say. His discography is full of fun, nostalgic samples, as witnessed on Tender, Lust, and Care (TLC), a soulful play on TLC's 'Scrubs.'
“Woods,” though, sounds like summer feels. And is that a Super Mario sample!? Let me run this shit back. Pretty sure that's a Super Mario sample!!
Bonus content/major flex alert/arguably the most important link here: bad bitches pole dancing, doing yoga, and rolling up to this track.
Listen on Spotify • Apple Music • Youtube
BONUS: Chance The Rapper • “Prom Night”
Now, this is a song that has aged well. An oldie but SUCH a goodie, and maybe one of my favorite Chance songs of all time.
Fav bars: "You made a mixtape? Good job! I hope you get a good job!" 😃👍🏽
Cheeky!!
"Wrapped up in this one line
I hope that shit get unwrapped
As if niggas was getting signed off of a line off one rap."
^ Sound that shit out loud for me one time. NOT if you're white, though, I’m sorry.
THE HOT TAKE #2: @angsty10daychance, wherefore art thou???
Also, if anyone else has fond memories watching that video recap from the LDRS 10 Day listening party circa 2011(?), say wassup in the comments. What a Mother. Fuckin. Time.
Listen on Spotify • Apple Music • Youtube
Thanks for tuning in, and see y'all next week!
P.S. If you see me in these streets, do me a favor and mention this column. The light pressure and expectations? So necessary. My editor will thank you.
Love u guys, bye!