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Music

Music to Fake Shore Driveby Volume 2: Midwest Is the Best

In the mix's second installment, we explore more of the Midwest's white-hot hip-hop scene.

Last month, we introduced Music to Fake Shore Driveby, a mix series partnering with our friends at the Midwest's pre-eminent hip-hop blog, Fake Shore Drive, in which Andrew Barber and Ty Howard share and weigh in on some of the hottest songs coming out of their part of the country.

We're big fans of Chicago hip-hop, and we've been watching artists like Dreezy and Saba, but, as big as the City of the Big Shoulders is, the Midwest has even more to offer, whether in the form of Gary, Indiana's Freddie Gibbs or Detroit artists like DeJ Loaf and Doughboyz Cashout. In the latest installment of the mix, you'll get familiar with these artists and others. Read on to learn about the latest sounds from the Midwest and listen to Music to Fake Shore Driveby Volume Two.

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Payroll Giovanni – “Hustle Muzik 2”
With Volume One of Music to Fake Shore Driveby, we kept it local. Strictly Chicago. So for Volume Two, we wanted to take it regional and rep for the whole Midwest—the flyover states, as those on the coasts refer to us. But forget what you heard: Heartland hip-hop is where it's at right now.

Chicago started bubbling as the hot new market back in 2012, and what's happening in Detroit right now feels eerily similar. The Motor City has a slew of talent on the cusp of breaking through on a major scale, so we had to kick off this tape with something from one of our favorites: Payroll Giovanni. Payroll represents the stacked Doughboyz Cashout clique, who are affiliated with Young Jeezy's CTE imprint.

Over the past few months, the Doughboyz have been flexing their muscles for dolo, with each member dropping stellar solo projects. One of the most impressive is the recent output from the lyrically talented Payroll, so "Hustler Muzik" felt like the right way to start this tape off. - AB

Westside Flee – “Jimmy's”
Westside Flee takes us to the West Side of Chicago for this new track that sounds unlike anything else coming from that section of the city. More often than not, West Side rap is grouped into the bop music or speed rap categories, but Flee gives us something more Native Tongues than "Po Pimp." Flee is new to the scene, but "Jimmy's" has plenty of replay value. - AB

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White Gzus – “Top”
Two solo Chi City spitters, Gzus Piece and Blanco Caine, joined forces this summer for the clever side project, White Gzus, which features some of the slickest concept records of the year. However, "Top" is its top shining moment thanks to an infectious hook and a slapping backdrop from 808 Mafia.

Thankfully, "Top" is starting to get some run in Chicago nightclubs, so here's to hoping "Top" gets the push it deserves to make the rounds nationwide. - AB

King Louie – “Hatin' On Me”
King Louie is rapping circles around the competition right now. Are you paying attention? And Tony is arguably the best rap mixtape of the year (yeah, I said it.) Are you paying attention now? “Hatin' On Me” is one of the standout tracks, and it deserves an award for the opening bars alone. Stop hating on Louie, it's bad for your health. And stop sleeping on Tony; it could be fatal. - AB

YP – “Bust Yo Moves”
We've been down with YP for some years now. Like six to be exact. And one thing you can count on from the Go Ill MC is that every day he's going to advise you via social media to “bust yo moves and make yo money.” Like clockwork. The advice is top notch, so it's about time he's committed the phrase to wax. Enter "Bust Yo Moves," the breezy, feel-good ode to handling your business. This joint is too addictive—one that just puts you in a good mood upon pressing play. Oh, and my No Limit tank dawgs will dig that C-Murder/Fiend line. OK? - AB

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MFN Melo feat. John Walt & Anthony Pavel – “Pass The El”
The Pivot collective knows a thing or two about putting together great records, and MFN Melo’s “Pass The El” is the latest example of that. The Puncho-produced jam serves as the second drop from Melo’s forthcoming Melodramatics project and includes additional vocals from Chi singer Anthony Pavel and fellow Pivoter John Walt. Simply put, they snapped with this one. - TH

Big Quis feat. Doughboy Clay – “Make This Cash Forever”
Sick of trap beats? Sick of the same old generic, drag-and-drop, point-and-click rap production? Do you miss people rapping over luscious samples? Well, if you answered yes to all three of those questions, and you enjoy quality street music, you're going to love the new solo album from Big Quis.

Quis is a member of Detroit's stellar Doughboyz Cashout collective, and he dropped one hell of a solo album last month with the motivational My Turn. Do you have champagne wishes and caviar dreams and enjoy first class shit-talking on the track? Then “Make This Cash Forever” is for you. It’s too bad more rappers aren't using this type of production. - AB

Freddie Gibbs feat. ESGN – “Dollaz”
Freddie Gibbs deserves some type of award for having one of the best ears for beats in all of rap. Seriously. He's been one of the most—if not the most—consistent rappers in picking tracks over the past five years. And "Dollaz" is no exception. Gangsta Gibbs lets his ESGN comrades do most of the heavy lifting here, but when he breezes by on the final verse, he bodies the entire thing oh-so effortlessly. Game, set, match. - AB

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Tink – “Sounds Good”
Actions speak louder than words, and Tink agrees on “Sounds Good.” Over production from DJ Wes, Tink G talks about a relationship that turns out to be something totally different than what she thought and how it affects her relationships after it. Tink really gives everyone some food for thought here. This song isn’t good; it’s great. - TH

DeJ Loaf, photo by Muck Fogley DeJ Loaf – “We Good”
Following the infectious “Try Me”, Detroit’s DeJ Loaf gave everyone another solid offering with “We Good.” The production on this joint sounds like something that was crafted with Doughboyz Cashout or Icewear Vezzo in mind, but DeJ definitely makes it her own. DeJ also delivers one of my favorite bars at the moment with “I’m a dog with this shit and these fleas itching.” Shout out to the faint iPhone notification at the 1:35 mark, which may or may not have been intentionally included. - TH

Payroll Giovanni – “Sell Some Dope”
The boy Payroll is killing it so crazily right now, we had to give him two slots on this here tape. His previous entry, "Hustler Muzik 2," is a laid-back ode to the high life, while "Sell Some Dope" is a straightforward street track. It gets right to the point with some art of storytelling shit. Does the subject matter and title offend you? Quite possibly, but I’ll be damned if this isn't one of the hardest records out right now. Who else is rapping about slanging birds with their grandpa? Nobody but Pay. Nobody. - AB

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Icewear Vezzo – “1 Time”
We've shown a lot of love to the west side of Detroit on this tape, but we've gotta take it over east one time to give Icewear Vezzo some shine. Ice is one of the top contenders in Rock City, and his last tape was chock full of heat. "1 Time" just might be our favorite of the bunch, and it’s a great intro to Ice if you’re not familiar yet. - AB

Shorty K feat. Sir Michael Rocks – “Livin'”
If you're keeping score at home, then you've surely noticed that Shorty K is three for three on leaks from his new album. We're not sure when it's dropping, but we can confirm it's shaping up rather nicely. On “Livin'” Shorty finds the pocket throughout the track on both the verses and the hook. Dude knows how to rap and write a song, point blank, period. His longtime homie Sir Michael Rocks shows up for some backup support and drops an inspired verse. - AB

Kiddo – “Don't Take Dis Personal”
As we've mentioned, every member of Doughboyz Cashout (except for Dre) dropped a solo project this summer and fall. But arguably the best of the bunch comes from HBK, better known as Kiddo. It's as if Kid jumped in a DeLorean and shot back to 1999 to collect all of the unused Beats By The Pound and Mannie Fresh sounds then brought them back to 2014 and reworked them to sound contemporary. Does that even make any sense? Maybe only to me, but Kid's gruff street tales and unforgettable voice paired with this unique production gives him one of the most entertaining albums of 2014. Take it personal, for real. - AB

Lil Herb – “Frankie Lymon”
Pound for pound, not many are fucking with Lil Herb right now on the rapping tip. When he wants to show out and show off, he puts most to shame. He doesn't always play to his full ability, but when he's firing on all cylinders it's hard not to pay attention. "Frankie Lymon" is one of those times. - AB

Wave Chappelle – “Go Out And Get It”
Aside from having a good rap name, Wave Chappelle has been doing a solid job of representing for his hometown of Milwaukee and recently dropped what should be an anthem for everyone with “Go Out And Get It.” The Milwaukee MC rolls with Yo Gotti’s CMG crew and dropped his debut effort, Only The Beginning, last month. The project is filled with standout records, but this joint remains a favorite. Want something? Go out and get it—it’s as simple as that. - TH

Saint Millie feat. Atom Grey – “Sirens”
Saint Millie paints a picture of life in the Chi from his perspective and how to maneuver there on “Sirens.” The record was produced by fellow Windy native Atom Grey, who also provided the hook. Fun fact: Millie recorded this record in the studio of producer Soundtrakk, whom most of you may know from the work he’s done from Lupe Fiasco. Dope, right? Well, the record’s even doper. Listen up. - TH Rocky Diamonds feat. J.R. Donato – “Slime”
You can always count on Minnesota native Rocky Diamonds to give you a banger, and “Slime” is his latest one. “Slime” features Chicago’s Taylor Gang representative, J.R. Donato, and is produced by 808 Mafia’s Tarentino—another Midwest product. Rocky, J.R. and ‘Tino sounds like a match made in heaven here. - TH

Follow Ty Howard and Andrew Barber on Twitter.