The Cool Kids’ Hangouts

In recent years, hip-hop has been declared dead more times than Michael Myers. Now, after a cycle of gangsta nihilism and goofy dance hits, its fortunes are slowly changing. It took a senator from Chicago to breathe new life into American politics and it seems the Windy City has lungs enough to save hip-hop too. From Kanye West to Common and Lupe Fiasco, Chi-town’s rap alumni has all but colonised the top of the pop charts. Now a new class is in session and its star pupils, the freshest of freshmen, are called the Cool Kids.

Here we present the bands’ A-Z of Chicago –

Barack Obama – Chicagoan presidential hopeful who chops it up with the Cool Kids.

http://www.barackobama.com/

Buddha Lounge – Oriental-themed club on W. Grand Avenue.

http://www.funkybuddha.com/

Debonair Social Club – Head for the basement of this Wicker Park nightclub.

http://www.debonairsocialclub.com/

DJ Chip – Juke DJ and local hero.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendI…

DJ Gant-Man – AKA General Juke, one of the scene’s most popular DJ/producers.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendI…

DJ Nehpets – Juke legend with a popular show on Chicago’s Power 92.

http://www.myspace.com/djnehpets

Empire Liquors – Cool Bucktown bar and lounge.

http://www.empireliquors.com/

Giordano’s – Home of the world famous deep dish pizza.

http://www.giordanos.com/

Juke – 120bpm Chicago party music that combines rap, house and booty bass. Check YouTube for amazing the amazing dancers.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lrftqT5pPg4

Lollapalooza – Chicago’s most famous music festival.

http://www.lollapalooza.com/

Metro – Northside concert hall with impeccable booking policy.

http://www.metrochicago.com/

N2Deep – Early ’90s Chicano gangster rappers who scored a hit with ‘Back To The Hotel’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl9m-NC0VGE

Pitchfork Music Festival – Bryant Park festival curated by the indier-than-thou website.

http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/

Sonotheque – Elegant Chi-town club with some great nights.

http://www.sonotheque.net/detect.html

St. Alfred – Chicago’s premier sneaker and apparel spot.

http://www.stalfred.com/

Subterranean – Popular Wicker Park club and home to Chicago’s most popular hip-hop night.

http://www.subt.net/

Wicker Park – Hip Chicago neighbourhood. Their Soho or Shoreditch.

http://www.wickerparkdirectory.com/