{"id":29843,"date":"2020-01-23T22:16:16","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T22:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=29843"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:27:08","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:27:08","slug":"chicago-music-playlist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/chicago-music-playlist\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Playlist – Great Music by Musicians from Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago<\/a>. The very name helps form a half dozen compound nouns of American music. There’s Chicago-Blues, Chicago-Jazz, Chicago-Rap, Chicago-Rock. As the cultural center of the Midwest, Chicago is the epicenter of the clashes and collaborations between North and South, East and West. This shared history between the different regions comes out in its music. On your next trip to Chicago, take the time to explore the diversity and depth of the Windy City’s music. Whether it’s hip-hop, gospel, jazz or rock, Chicago’s contributed to the best of each genre. This playlist pays tribute to the great musical heritage of the White City.<\/p>\n

\n

1. Be (Intro) – Common – 2005<\/h2>\n

Produced by Kanye West and following the commercial disaster that was his previous album Electric Circus<\/em>, Common’s album Be<\/em>, cemented his place in the pantheons of avant-garde rap. If rap has a public image (not without reason) of violence, drugs and misogyny, Common helped dispel the trend with albums that combine elements of soul, gospel, and jazz to create smooth sonic experiences filled with messages of empowerment and self-improvement.<\/p>\n

With Be<\/em>, Common found the producer he’d always needed in West, and the result was one of the best albums of 2005. To begin this playlist, we’ve gone with the album’s first track. From the opening bass line to the layering of voices, everything that showcases the best of Common’s soulful style and West’s production genius are on display here.<\/p>\n

2. 1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins – 1996<\/h2>\n

Alt-rock in the 90’s was still the derivative younger brother of Grunge Rock and the remnants of the 80’s. Crunchy power chords, simplistic riffs and drumlines had come to define the genre. That would all change with The Smashing Pumpkins<\/em>.<\/p>\n

1979<\/em>, taken from their third album Mellon Collie<\/em> and the Infinite Sadness<\/em>, added a rich symphonic atmosphere, and lyrics that covered an emotional range unseen in alt-rock. In the process, The Smashing Pumpkins<\/em> became one of the 90’s most popular bands, as well as one of Chicago’s most beloved exports.<\/p>\n

3. Here It Goes Again – OK Go – 2006<\/h2>\n

The mid 2000’s were a golden age for pop-rock and few exemplify the era like OK Go<\/em>. Their jumpy guitar work, energetic lyrics and bizarre music videos helped make them one of the decade’s most popular pop-rock acts as well as defining the future for hundreds of other bands. Here It Goes Again<\/em> was one of 2006’s most popular singles as well as one of the original YouTube viral music videos.<\/p>\n

4. We Don\u2019t Care \u2013 Kanye West \u2013 2004<\/h2>\n

There is perhaps no musical artist more polarizing than Kanye West<\/a>. Even Kanye West fans find it hard to defend his actions, and that\u2019s before his political meltdown, MAGA hat wearing Trump hug, SNL outburst, and subsequent turn to gospel rap.<\/p>\n

But whatever his personal antics, his influence in music is undeniable. Just a year before his revolutionary album The College Dropout<\/em> dropped, rap was an industry dominated by gangster imagery, mass produced beats and tired, simple rhythms. In 2003 the largest stars in hip-hop were 50 Cent, Ja Rule and Nelly. Within a year after The College Dropout<\/em> they were all swept aside for a new generation of melodically styled rappers.<\/p>\n

Kanye West\u2019s injection of socially conscious lyrics, musical sampling from a wide variety of genres, and collaborative energy ushered in related artists such as Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, and Chance the Rapper. On the track We Don\u2019t Care<\/em>, we hear all the elements that made The College Dropout<\/em> so ground-breaking.<\/p>\n

5. What Kind of Woman Is This? \u2013 Buddy Guy \u2013 2005<\/h2>\n

In the world of Chicago Blues, one name reigns supreme, Buddy Guy. While born and raised in Louisiana, it would be in Chicago where Guy would get his start and later add his name to the pantheon of Blues stars. Commonly referred to as the world\u2019s greatest living guitarist, Buddy Guy\u2019s career spans decades of musical accomplishments.<\/p>\n

6. Move On Up \u2013 Curtis Mayfield \u2013 1970<\/h2>\n

There are few bigger names in Soul music than Curtis Mayfield. The influential guitarist, singer-songwriter as well as political activist was behind some of the biggest soul hits of the70\u2019s. Move On Up<\/em> is a perfect example of his unique blend of R&B and socially conscious songwriting.<\/p>\n

7. Free Soul \u2013 Mykele Deville \u2013 2019<\/h2>\n

This rising rapper is a star of Chicago\u2019s indie DIY rap scene and a staple at underground shows in the city. Deville originally was drawn to fiction and wanted to write short stories and novels. But he ended up finding his voice through music rather than prose. Free Soul<\/em> showcases Deville\u2019s biting commentary on modern social ills.<\/p>\n

8. Giant of Illinois \u2013 Andrew Bird \u2013 2014<\/h2>\n

An enduring name in the ocean that is indie folk, Andrew Bird<\/a>\u2019s unique musicality and poignant writing has powered a prolific career. Giant of Illinois<\/em> references the state and city that Bird calls home and explains his lasting popularity.<\/p>\n

9. Savior \u2013 Rise Against \u2013 2008<\/h2>\n

Few bands can combine catchy hooks, frenetic energy and wide-ranging social commentary like Rise Against<\/em>. Rise Against<\/em> was one of the most popular punk bands of the 2000\u2019s to come out of Chicago and were critically acclaimed for their lyrical impact.<\/p>\n

10. Kind of Love \u2013 Tasha \u2013 2018<\/h2>\n

Singer, songwriter, poet, activist, Tasha is used to wearing a lot of hats. On her debut album, she makes use of music to tell her story as a young queer woman navigating the social landscape of modern America. Kind of Love<\/em> shows the emotional depth Tasha brings in her music.<\/p>\n

11. Old School Love – Lupe Fiasco (Feat Ed Sheeran) – 2013<\/h2>\n

Often overshadowed by the city’s more commercially successful rappers, Lupe Fiasco<\/a> is still one of Chicago’s favorite sons. One of the original pioneers of the 2000’s social-conscious rap, Lupe Fiasco often wrote about the effects of poverty, gun violence and drug abuse. While Old School Love<\/em> is one of his more peaceful tracks, the specter of “Chiraq” still looms present in all his work.<\/p>\n

12. Prom Queen \u2013 Beach Bunny \u2013 2018<\/h2>\n

Beach Bunny was originally a fun side project for Lili Trifilio to cope with the stress of college. But her band would eventually rise to popularity in the indie DIY movement of the late 2010\u2019s and even sign with Mom+Pop Music in 2019.<\/p>\n

13. Sugar, We’re Going Down – Fall Out Boy – 2005<\/h2>\n

Hailing from Wilmette, just outside Chicago, Fall Out Boy<\/em> might be one of the Second City’s most popular rock exports. Out of all the glorious destruction that was emo-rock in the 2000’s no band was more universally hated or successful as Fall Out Boy<\/em>. While critics often derided their music as watered down, derivative and generic, a reviewer in 2009 conceded that “Sugar, We’re Going Down<\/em>” was probably the “most listened-to emo track of all time” And while they’ve morphed and adapted with the musical times, Sugar, We’re Going Down<\/em> is a throwback to their early pop-punk days.<\/p>\n

14. Renegade \u2013 Styx \u2013 1978<\/h2>\n

Styx was one of the most popular bands of the late 70\u2019s and one of the first alternative bands to make the transition to progressive rock. Renegade<\/em> is one of their most popular singles and became an iconic song of the prog rock genre.<\/p>\n

15. Give It Away – The Chi-Lites – 1969<\/h2>\n

One of the most popular R&B\/Soul groups of the 1970’s, the Chi-Lites<\/em> were a quartet based out of Chicago. While their star only burned bright for a few years, their influences are still heard in R&B today, and in 2013 they were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

16. Never Said – Liz Phair – 1993<\/h2>\n

While her career took a decidedly more pop turn with her album Liz Phair<\/em> in 2003, Liz Phair was one of original female alt-rock acts of the 90’s. In her track Never Said<\/em>, this casual cool and subtle rebellion exudes through her languid vocals and raspy chords.<\/p>\n

17. September – Earth, Wind & Fire – 1978<\/h2>\n

Call it disco. Call it funk. Call it soul. But whatever you call it, Earth, Wind & Fire<\/em> had it. September was released in 1978 and went #1 on the US R&B charts and certified Gold, while also landing themselves on every wedding dance soundtrack ever.<\/p>\n

18. A Change is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke – 1964<\/h2>\n

Entrepreneur, civil-rights activist and of course, the King of Soul, Sam Cooke was a fixture of the Chicago Soul Music scene for years. His popularity, influence and talent helped foster the next generation of soul singers of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. In A Change is Gonna Come<\/em>, Cooke’s talent and distinctive vocals are stunningly obvious.<\/p>\n

19. 65th & Ingleside – Chance The Rapper – 2018<\/h2>\n

Chicago has made many hip-hop stars, but few have been as dedicated to giving back to their community as Chance the Rapper<\/a>. Whether it’s his involvement with community engagement or hanging out with the Obama’s; Chance the Rapper is as much a fixture of the Windy City as the Willis Tower. In 65th<\/sup> & Ingleside<\/em>, he reminisces on a past life spent in his youth in the city that would indelibly be associated with his music.<\/p>\n

20. Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock & Co – 1964<\/h2>\n

In the world of American Jazz, a few cities stand out. New Orleans, New York City, and Chicago. Chicago came to be known for forming its own unique blend of jazz, and few proponents of it achieved as much fame as Herbie Hancock. The pianist, and later band leader, composer and even actor, would become one of the most influential jazz pianists of his generation. In Cantaloupe Island<\/em> he delivers a composition that would go on to become a jazz standard.<\/p>\n

\n

Follow us on Spotify<\/a> for more great destination playlists<\/p>\n