The Heat Index: DCG Brothers • On the Ground (feat. 2Rare)

The Heat Index is These Days’ hip-hop column showcasing a hot new record we can’t stop playing.

DCG Shun and DCG BSavv, known as the DCG Brothers, emerged out of Chicago's rap scene at the turn of the decade alongside artists like Lil Eazzyy, Heavy Steppers, and PGF Nuk, making waves for signaling the evolution of drill’s influence in its birthplace. Their music often features sparse beats but retains the threatening characteristic of the genre. What sets the blood brothers apart is their undeniable charisma —they like to have fun in their songs and it shows.

Since their breakout hit "Mmhmm," DCG Shun and BSavv have maintained a consistent output. They dropped their debut album, Jungle Life, in 2022 and this month released Us, Never Them. Notably, "On the Ground" from the latter project, finds Shun and BSavv rapping over a footwork-influenced instrumental alongside fellow up-and-comer 2Rare, who’s made a name of himself making Philly Club records that share a danceable DNA to what Fya Man produced here.

"On the Ground" stands out as the most distinct track on the album, strategically placed as the outro, possibly aiming to capitalize on the dance craze that has dominated 2023 and a straightforward play for virality. However, for the West Side natives, who were raised around footwork and closely witnessed the emergence of bop music alongside drill, this feels like a completely organic territory for them to explore.