Chi-Town Fugaze

Rhymefest has released a mix CD called Plugg City: City on My Back that sports cover art featuring the city of Chicago. The B-side on Rhymefest's new 12" single is called "Chicago-rillas." We at Stay Chisel are confused. Although a one-time Chicago resident, Rhymefest has not lived here in years. He has called Indianapolis home for a while now. In a recent interview, 'Fest said of Indianapolis, "I like living here and I'm not moving." Huh?

Now, we're not trying to dis Rhymefest because he lives in Indiana. Although we are convinced his new album will hit the dollar bin with unrivaled velocity, Stay Chisel thinks he's a great rapper who is capable of knocking out hits (see, e.g., "Jesus Walks"). That said, at what point do you have to stop claiming a city you no longer live in? Stay Chisel believes that if you no longer maintain a residence in a city, you lose all privileges. Making your primary home in another state makes this an extra violation (with Kanye West being the originator of this offense).

The rationale for claiming Chicago is obviou$. Coming from Chicago, you can ride the goodwill generated by Kanye West, Twista, Lupe Fiasco and Common, while commanding the attention of the nation's third largest city. Coming from Indianapolis, you get to continue the incredible rap legacy of the Mudkids, while capturing the imagination of a city the size of Orland Park. See our point?

Rhymefest claims Chicago for marketing and credibility purposes and we think that's offensive. One Stay Chisel staffer used to live in Virginia, but you won't see us riding for Norfolk in these pages.

Again, Stay Chisel likes Rhymefest as an artist and by all accounts he's a nice guy. We'll even buy his CD when all of the promos hit the used section at Reckless Records. Honestly, we hope his album does really well. But, if we see him perform live and he tries to claim Windy City status, we're booing at high volume. We suggest you do the same until he quits lying or moves back to the city.