Living mostly all of my adolescent life in Chicago or in the surrounding suburbs, I grew a deep fascination with my city after moving out of it for a matter of months. Transferring out of Schurz in the beginning of my senior year to live with my mother in Columbus OH, my perspective on my roots were never planted so strong. Being away from my natural environment and feeling like I needed to connect again, I looked back on my city's riches.
I arose from the rugged, yet beautifully legendary streets of Chicago. I am a young, intelligent and very ambitious young lady. While attending Schurz High School, I worked as the Editor-in-Chief of the school's newspaper. It was then that I also became fascinated with writing, editing, and placing out-of-the box ideas into production. Regardless of working in the successful, award-winning Schurz Times, I never thought I wanted to become a journalist or seek a career in the media. I honestly thought I was going to become a nurse or a doctor. This changed in 2006 when I came across MC Channel Zero. He asked his listeners to submit questions they would like answered from him in an intrview. I was at first reluctant, but later submitted several questions (in a matter of few minutes) he dubbed as, "the best ones I've gotten yet." It was there that I saw journalism came easy to me. From there, I decided to connect with other local artists, producers, DJs, etc etc.
In early June of 2006, I was talking to Chi Ill of Torture Chamber Records and he was telling me how ecstatic he was about finally filming his first video. A couple of weeks later, I boarded a plane from Columbus back to Chicago to join Chi Ill, Torture Chamber Records, DBD Records as well as supporters from Logan Square, K Town and Humboldt for the making of the video.
Being with them for all three days of filming gave all of us a behind-the-scenes look at how the business is coming from the other side of the camera. Those three days weren honestly a turn-around for myself and for many others I feel as well because I felt Chicago had so much more to conquer and this was merely a sweet taste of success.
This is Chi Ill's video for "Hold Me Back;" a classic in the history of Chicago. It was one of the most high-budgeted indie videos filmed in the Windy City during the Puerto Rican Festival.
I have a small cameo in the video. See if you can spot me.
Hold Me Back
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Closely a year after this video was shot, on May 8th, 2007 at about 6:30pm, a very well known and respected rapper from 108 Rcords passed away. During his 2 days in the hospital, Chicago was at a standstill: Myspace was blowing up with bulletin after bulletin, all spreading the word of prayer for Rope 30's life. At the time, 108 Records was working on their album and was gaining significant recognition throughout the city. The loss of their "captain" placed a deep void in both the hearts of 108 Records and the entire Windy City. Going out in Logan Square that evening of his passing was not the same. The city was dead.
However, just as Daniel Macdonald's family, 108 family, fans, supporters and admirers have said; "God had plans for Rope and us." WE have all accepted that our brother Rope 30 was a blessinh to our lives by being a trendsetter in fashion, taking work seriously, balancing between kids, family and the music business. We all believe God placed him here as an inspiration to be an even stronger city even if we can not physically have him with us.
Logan Square is a hurtful place at this time, but we all act like we are from Logan Square and will continue our lives like soldiers. Now with our own Angel watching us from Heaven, we feel the need to succeed knowing Daniel is watching over us; following his lead in being the "up early boi or girl" and flossin.
We can't wait to meet you in Heaven, Rope.
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This is the video by the BLOCK CEOs. Rope 30 holds the first verse. Fellow 108 members in this video are NOIZ and Big EZ. This is how we all remember him by putting up his "30" up and as a close friend of his said, "This is the first video he smiles in."
The General Manager of Chicagoâ„¢
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