The Creative Bubble About To Pop In Chicago Isn’t By Chance
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Creative Bubble About To Pop In Chicago Isn’t By Chance

It's been a long time coming.

49
The Creative Bubble About To Pop In Chicago Isn’t By Chance
Alpha Coders

When Chance The Rapper received the award for best new artist at the Grammys this past February he thanked the entire city of Chicago during his acceptance speech. Chance’s meteoric rise to the top of music would not have existed without his upbringing in the Windy City. The gratitude he expressed during his speech was not just to the city for raising him, but to the idea of Chicago and its values. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke about these topics with Shala., a social impact artist based in Chicago and the founder of The Movement.

The Movement is an art house collective and social cause boutique. Think Andy Warhol’s Factory meets Tom’s. Shala’s current endeavors have him producing a Trap Rock group, a secret playlist project with some Chicago notables and a solar-powered pyramid on the Southside of the city. Shala and I spoke for over an hour and a half about philosophy, the collective consciousness, Kanye and the creative bubble in Chicago that is destined to pop. We believe Chicago is on the cusp of a huge eruption.

“We are the next hub for great artists of all genres to emerge. Chicago is going to bring forth the next wave of impactful artists because we’ve always been ahead of the curve. The world is becoming more like Chicago because people want to be unapologetically themselves. Chicago has always been raw. The rest of the world is just now catching up.”
-Shala.

There is no greater example than, arguably, the most prolific music artist of the past 20 years, Kanye West. Kanye personifies everything that people hate but want to be. Brash, confident, unfiltered, outspoken, relentless and unforgiving. Kanye gives us permission to be fascinating because he shows us that it is ok to be dynamic. It is ok to address our insecurities directly. It is ok to give a middle finger to the nay-sayers and it is ok to be polarizing. Guys like Kanye and Chance would not have the same success if they did not grow up with, and soak up the ethos of Chicago. If LA is the city of dreamers, Chicago is the land of hustlers. The city itself seems to have always carried a huge chip on its shoulder. More specifically, a chip in the shape of a big apple. The ethos of the city is derivative of a little brother complex with New York.

“Just as New York always felt the need to prove something to ‘Old York (England), Chicago carries the same self-inflicted burden. There’s a cynicism toward our own in this city, and it takes so much energy to push through that once you do, of course you’re gonna be as great as a Kanye, a Chance, a Barack etc.”
-Shala.

Chicago has always had the attitude of of being the smallest kid on the basketball court. Everybody is always yammering about New York and LA. For the longest time, people insisted that that is where you had to go in order to become a successful artist. Chicago was always put on the back-burner. We were the kid that got cut from their high school varsity team; the 30th pick in the draft that is now a cornerstone of an NBA franchise. The 3rd year point guard that asks “Why can’t I be the MVP of the league?”

Being overlooked and underrated for years has sparked a mammoth fire that is ready to ignite at any moment. Chance’s ascension is the first domino to fall in an independent ripple effect that has been coming for a very long time. Who is going to be next? Vic (Mensa)? Noname? G Herbo? BJ? Maybe it will be a different type of artist. Who will be the next Banksy, Wachowski twins? (The Matrix Trilogy, Cloud Atlas) Or Joe Swanberg? (Drinking Buddies, Easy).

If you know of any Chicago artists that are poised for a breakthrough, urge them to continue the momentum by working with other Chicago artists. Shala. has intentionally created his company to contribute further “movement” to this growing movement.

“I am glad that Chicago creatives are finally understanding that our individual successes are a culmination of our collective efforts; past present and future. I am anxious for everyone to see that; the way we have seen it with New York, LA and Atlanta. With looming success, the most frustrating part is knowing who you are before everyone else does.”
-Shala.

When we finally hit, we will hit big and once we go forward as a unit, there is no telling the damage we will do. If history has a say, that could be the impact of Obama, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, House Music, Common, Twista, Chief Keef, and Chance all at the same time.

I would like to thank Shala. for his contribution to this editorial. For more visit Shala. at byShala.com or http://byshala.com/themovementworldwide.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71387
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133460
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments