Chiraq, Chicago

I think everyone, and I mean everyone, has heard the term Chiraq, but why is Chicago called that? Who named it? It wasn’t the Sun-Times, it came from the youth, almost fifteen years ago, I know because I was in Chicago. And the only reason it stuck is because it was true, the city was like a warzone. The name itself, in my personal unprofessional opinion, was a cry for help.

The youth, in particular, who ingrained the name were, at the time, young rappers from the drill era. Many blamed the music for the murder rate, violence, and gang bangin; I'm here to provide a different perspective. One, I’m confident that’s been explained before. As someone from Chicago, I can certify that drill music displayed the harsh reality of impoverished AA communities. I am not condoning violence or gang banging with this entry, but just want to enlighten those who think the drill era was just a glorification of a gangster's life. I think it was much more.

Image of a park in Chicago, IL taken by Theodorant

The idea of this topic arose from a conversation with an old coworker. We were talking about music and the question of what I typically listen to came up. I explained it was mostly rap, with hints of R&B, acoustic covers, and a sprinkle of punk rock. Yeah, its all over the place, I know, but then they asked who my favorite rapper was. I named an artist from Chicago, I can't remember it might've been Lil Herb or Lil Durk that's usually who I name, but that's besides the point. What they asked me next left me stunned, "Why!?" they asked, perplexed.

If you know me or ever meet me, you probably wouldn't expect me to say that, and I can only assume this person thought the same. However, I never really had to answer a question like that because most of my friends listened to the same music, most of my school, man, even most of my neighborhood. That's when it hit me.

You see, this person wasn't from Chicago, and I can only infer that she assumed I wanted to be a gangster, or I was trying to be impressive, or that I was fanning, though my answer was simple. The music was RELATABLE.

Chicago is a peculiar place. You could aim to do everything right, but catch sight of trouble, you've got to keep your head up. It's exhausting, but it's reality, and that's what drill was able to display. From the growth of the music's popularity, I can only assume Chicago's not the only place like that.

Chicago skyline taken in Lincoln Park by Theodorant

Take me, for example, I'm what most will call a good kid/person. I didn't walk around with guns, I didn't rob people, I graduated from school, I came from a two-parent house, I played sports, went to college; I'm not what anyone would ever consider a bad apple, but I've seen the rotten fruit, and so have many others in the city.

When the drill era first popped, I remember thinking to myself, "Someone finally said it," Back then I would've never been able to explain, probably because I'd have to admit I was living in fear, but when the young rappers from Chicago stepped to the scene the entire city felt it, then America, then the world. At the time, there wasn’t much being done to help the youth in the city, and the violence was intimidating; it was occasional. You just kind of never knew what could happen.

Kids were misguided, and guns were everywhere. Let's face it, as a young man, at least for me, whether you gangbang or not, it was difficult to imagine a future. However, it wasn't impossible. When Drill popped, it felt like the city's troubles were being heard; it didn't fix the problem, but it helped a few feel understood. Along with providing empathy, the music also inspired, undeniably benefiting many imaginations.

Many of the young Chicago rappers were creating those songs to escape. They wanted to leave that environment, just like others in those positions. Yeah, they were rapping about some mature, immoral, illegal topics, but what reality would you expect? They showed it on television way before the Drill scene ever popped--The Wire.

Please, understand my intentions with this excerpt. I know what's associated with Drill music: gangs, death, beef, rivals, and more treacherous situations, but those were situations a lot of kids had to grow into, grow up around. It was a problem they were dealt at birth, and it's unfortunate. The only way some could make a way was through rap. Before you can blame the rap, rappers, and youth, you’d have to step back in time and study what led to it.

Chicago or Chiraq, it doesn't matter, I'm just here to say the drill era let me know I wasn't the only one in fear in my city, and I think it gave others around the world that sense of understanding, but still, not many would understand. Since the start of that infamous era, the city has gotten better, crime hasn't stopped, but it never will. At least more young people from neighborhoods lacking inspiration can now be inspired. This post itself wouldn't exist without the music.

Shoutout to all the artists who came from Chicago, shoutout to the city itself, and shoutout to the people. Tough times make strong men, and hopefully, the city can continue to progress.

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