Each week the These Days staff comes across great music from Chicago artists that we could not provide individual features for. In an effort to keep our readers up to date with more of our recent favorites, the Round Up segment provides quick summaries and additional noteworthy content. Check out our latest picks below and feel free to submit a comment if you feel we missed something. 

Chief Keef • "Kills"

Chief Keef has been on a tear musically of late, finding a way to combine his experimental ways of the last few years with the ear for catchy tunes that he’s had since the beginning. “Kills” is a perfect example of these different sides of Sosa coming together, a track that vibes, is gritty, but maintains that sense of escapist fun throughout. Fans will love this one.

FullyAutomaticDrayco • Skull Collecta

Indianapolis bred FullyAutomaticDrayco brings us a new full length mixtape called “Skull Collecta.” FullyAutomaticDrayco, aka Drayco McCoy, comes back onto the scene with his always relaxed flow and classic lo-fi production by a variety of local producers, including Evan L, MadBliss, and Grimm Doza. The full project is 18 songs long; not only does he feature a plethora of producers, but he also gives the mic to fellow artists including Lucki, Blkyth, FLACO, Sirius Blvck, and MikeyTha$avage. My personal favorite song off the tape is “Dirty Money,” featuring local Chicago favorite Lucki, but make sure you listen to the tape all the way through to find a song that speaks to you personally. 

JuJu (Ft. Supa Bwe) • "Neo Japan"

We keep waiting for Supa Bwe to drop the final version of his own full mixtape, but in the midst of his work on that solo project, he still manages to find the time to feature on other local’s work. Most recently we see him as a guest appearance on Chicagoan JuJu’s track “Neo Japan.” While I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of Supa’s work in the past, it’s definitely possible that you’ve yet to come across JuJu. A newer artist to the scene, “Neo Japan” marks his first solo release as an up and comer. Thanks to Supa and producer Leland Lavinci Beats for helping make that happen; we’re looking forward for more to come from JuJu.

Satchel Stokes • The Life of Sin

Satchel Stokes’ project The Life Of Sin is filled with heated energy, a wild trip through the mind of Satchel Stokes. The Life Of Sin album is dripping in shadows, and raw delivery from Satchel Stokes means vocals that are discordant but effective. His voice screams, flows, jumps, everything. The whole thing feels dreamy, or maybe nightmarish. Either way, Satchel Stokes impresses here with a vision, sound and concept that he thought out and executes with confidence. Eeriness never sounded so good.

Wil Akogu • "Operation X"

“Operation X,” Wil Akogu’s take on Femdot, Ali of New Kingz, Stark of Huey and Brittney Carters original track which dropped early last month. Together, featuring production by Dougy, Akogu takes over the remix and uses it to let everyone know he is indeed “a lion in spirit, y'all can not dance with the king.” This is Akogu’s first drop of 2017, but keep watching out as he continues to flex on the Chicago music scene. 

Young Wolf (Ft. Xavier and The Thrill) • "See It All"

Talk about a killer team; Chicago local Young Wolf comes together with his own frequent collaborators Xavier & the Thrill and producer prodigy Von Vuai to take your breath away with their newest track "See It All." In his newest release, Young Wolf makes the statement that he's here on the scene and he's here to stay. Like so many local up-and-comers, Young Wolf is ready to eat up his prey, his competition, and anyone who stands in his way. And it's well-deserved. In "See It All" we do see this Chicago hip-hop artist bring all he's got to the forefront; his hopes and desires, as well as his pure tenacity.