would you rather have 100% from a follower or 10% from a leader

Air Yeezy x Leaders 1354 x J Sakiya x Kanye West

Chicago's premiere streetwear store, Leaders 1354 teamed up with the creator of Kanye West's book, Thank You & You're Welcome by J Sakiya to make a special edition shirt that perfectly matches one of the Air Yeezy colorways (it even glows in the dark). The name of the shirt actually comes from a line of Kanye West's book. The shirt retails for $45, which is cheap compared to it's matching shoes, and it will be sold throughout Chicago.
Everyone outside of the windy city can buy it at the Leaders 1354's website
via Fake Shore Drive

i'm from a city in the midwest, the best city in the whole wide world

Many college students are on Spring Break this weekend and I'm glad to be one of them
So where to I retreat to Chicaaaaaaaago. Which is the home of:

The Cool Kids

Kanye West

Lupe Fiasco

Hollywood Holt

Kid Sister

Million $ Mano

Common

Kidz In The Hall

Kill Hannah

Rise Against

just to say a few

 Chicago is in the midwest which is the home of other great artists who have their own distinct sound like

Kid Cudi

P.O.S. 

Atmosphere

So in great city with great musical artists and fans, there's plenty to do in an weekend.

Friday:
Crystal Castles @ The Bottom Lounge
Crystal Castles are an electro group that have one the most unique sounds that I have ever heard. The sound is fueled by altered vocals which is backed by 8-bit beats that sounds like it came straight out of a videogame. Crystal Castles is clearly one of those groups that you classify as 'experimental'. Alice Glass has a stage presence thats out of this world and physically spreads her energy to fans in the crowd. I already know this all ages show will be full of teenagers clad in ultra tight pants singing along to every word, while sweating and dancing and loving every moment of the experience.
Sadly this show was SOLD OUT and I couldn't go
Crystal Castles--Air War (mp3)

Crystal Castles @ Sonotheque
After Crystal Castles all ages show at The Bottom Lounge, they head to Sonotheque for a dj set. Besides for being good performing, the duo also makes amazing remixes of other artists.
Sadly this show as 21+ (as most thing in Chicago) and I couldn't go
Klaxons--Atlantis To Interzone (Crystal Castles Remix) (mp3)

Bloc Party - Hunting for Witches (Crystal Castles Remix) (mp3)

Saturday:
Leaders 1354 opens the hat vault @ North Side Location
Leaders is clearly Chicago's most famous streetwear store in Chicago and the only thing cooler than their clothes is their hats, which has been worn by many locals and celebrities. The northside location will release several popular hats that were saved.



Deadmau5, Crookers, Late of the Pier, The Whip @ Congress Theatre
So many artists in so little time. This back to back dj and electro party will include djs that wear mouse masks, the djs who remixed Kid Cudi's 'Day n Nite', and two bands that are considered leaders of the new wave movement. Get ready for the 17+ ravers to come up from the underground.

Sunday
Mates of States, Black Kids, and Sun Bears @ The Metro
Black Kids --Hurricane Jane (mp3)

Melknee the RnR Ninja

I feel better knowing tha my crew is original. Negative Thinking

WHATS YOUR "CREW" LIKE?

Does it only consist of people who are just like you?
Does it only consist of people who are different than you?
Does it only consist of people who are nice to you?
Does it only consist of people you want to be like?
Does it only consist of people who will help you succeed and won't "bring you down"?
Does it only consist of people who "get" you and stuff your into?
Is your whole crew the same race?
Is your whole crew the same gender?

Does your crew dress alike?
Does your crew have tattoos and piercings?
Does your crew make good grades?
Does your crew work together?
Does anyone say your crew is "too big"?
Does your whole crew have the same goals?
If we were in high school, would your crew be "The Cool Kids" of the school?
Does your crew stand out in the crowd?
Is your crew "ahead of the trends"?
Does your crew make the trends?
Is your crew from the same city?
If needed, would your crew already have a 'classic crew shot' ready?

Is there a leader of the crew?
Does everyone in your have a talent?
Does your crew trying to "make it big"?
Does your crew have projects? i.e. music group, clothing line, dance crew, graffiti crew ect.
Does everyone in your crew have a role? i.e. cute one, shy one ect.

I spent way too much time looking for pictures of "crews" on facebook and this is what I found:

I personally think Chicago crews dictate the trends whether people are watching from Indiana, New Orleans, NYC or LA, but hey I'm biased, because I think I'm from a city in the midwest, the best city in the whole wide world.

However every city has club promoter crews, streetwear store owner crews, tagging crews, hypebeast crews, AZN crews, hip-hop crews and scene kid crews.

I think my new favorite crew is called Chipped Red Polish. It's an all female and Chicago based group that "focuses on supporting today's artisic cuture. Through they're own creative passions, networking, and promotion of different genres".

The founders are Drea, who is one half of He Say She Say, and JoJo. Other members are Cess a fashion designer, Gianna a musician, Victoria a fashion and graphic designer, Jenny a fashion designer and journalist, Arica in marketing and nightlife, Lauren a graphic designer, and Michelle is an artist .

Some "jams" about Chicago:

Bin Ladn Blowin Up-Chi Dont Dance (mp3)

Naledge - "I'm In Chicago (Bitch)"

Naledge - "I'm In Chicago (Bitch)" (Million $ Mano Rave Remix) (mp3)

Naledge - "I'm In Chicago (Bitch)" (Kali Remix) (mp3)

Naledge - "I'm In Chicago (Bitch)" (Conair Remix) (mp3)

However I did hear something very good in New Orleans news today. I knew I was going to have a good Fall 2009 when I got a tweet today from Voodoo Experience 2009. It said, City Park has agreed to have Voodoo Experience during Halloween Weekend (October 30-Nov 1 2009). In the past couple of weeks, there has been a lot of worry that Voodoo wouldn't take place this year. This is because City Park's chief operating official said the park wasn't available Halloween weekend. However today's news cleared up any doubt. So far the only announced artist is Kiss, who is one of the headliners. But non-classic rock fans don't need to worry because every year Voodoo has great artists from several genres. Since I've been In New Orleans, Voodoo Experience has had some of the biggest acts come from Lil Wayne to M.I.A. to Gym Class Heroes to Kings of Leon to Common. Chicago has Lalapalooza, Austin has SXSW, California has Cochella, Tennessee has Bonnaroo, and New Orleans has Voodoo and I'm excited to experience it.

Melknee