VISUAL - Chicago Hip Hop History episode 1 - Free Mp3 Download

VISUAL is currently working on his next project #HelloHipHop

If you don’t know what he is on, you should get to know. A man with a plan, Visual is the hardest working independent artist in Chicago. His signature blue collar work ethic is evident when you consider that he has individually managed a majority of his career. This includes delivering on public relations, promotions, and booking responsibilities as an artist as well as pushing forward the initiatives of his Community Service record label as a manager.
A brief look at his accomplishments will establish his title of “Working Class Legend”.

Visual grew up in the Logan Square community on Chicago’s northwest side. The diverse urban setting, combined with the stereotypical living conditions associated with the area, provided Visual with a lot of inspiration and experience to begin writing poems which evolved into the raps we hear today. Being the youngest of four brothers, one of which is Panik from the Molemen, helped shape Visual’s identity as a hard working and independent artist. Although he could have leveraged Panik and Molemen’s fame to ensure success in the industry, he decided to pursue music on his own terms.

“Sometimes people try and jump ahead when it’s something they haven’t earned or it’s something they aren’t ready for. I just don’t want anybody to say ‘I put you here’. I always tell myself I’m going to take my own steps and I’m going to get somewhere”. – Chicago Tribune

This unique approach along with his work ethic has equipped Visual with an edge we do not usually see in the industry. David Vidal at Urb Magazine said it best in their Next 1000 Feature, “The ego-smashing trend of ultra-realness has reached the windy shores of the Chi. Visual presents himself to be nothing more than who he is, just a regular guy”.

Growing up around other local legends like Juice, Rhymefest, Vakill, and Capital D of All Natural has been both a learning experience and one that has come full circle. Collaborations with local legends include songs with Capital D from his Working Class Legend album and a song with Juice from the Figured it Out album. During the course of his career Visual has shared the stage with artist such as Lupe Fiasco, The Pharcyde, Atmosphere, Glc, DJ Vadim, DJ A-Trak, Brother Ali, Swollen Members and others with much fanfare. It is important to recognize his involvement around Chicago as not only a trendsetting musician, but also as an actor, television show host, and youth advocate. Visual’s relentless pursuit for success has landed him positive media attention across a wide variety of channels. This includes articles, features, and reviews in the following: Urb Magazine, Hiphopgame.com, Hip-hopkings.com, Fakeshoredrive.com, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and the Red Eye.

Visual’s work ethic will continue to test the limits set forth by the “business as usual” way of doing things in the industry. Visual will continue to deliver the TRUTH by doing and being the hardest working independent artist in Chicago. Fuse TV has aired VISUAL’s music video for “We Gonna Fly” as part of Fuse On Demand Chicago Presents: Fuse Music Loop. Fuse TV can be seen on Comcast, Direct TV, Dish Network, and many other cable providers across the nation.Visual can also be seen on various episodes of History Channel‘s “Gangland” in dramatizations, The Dilemma (feature film starring Vince Vaughn & Kevin James) and as a host on Chicago’s UGtv.

Verse 1

You weren't there, it started in my parents basement ,
it was just a home but hip-hop changed it
Give em an mpc and Panik made it
Hip-hop in my crib with dusty breaks in It
And I was there like "man, just take in"
I lived in the the moment
Ha, I lived with the Molemen
Imagine Vakill spittin lines to kill
Right in front of you and every line you would feel
Or Juice freestylin, just wylin and vibin
Listening to beats bang in a way that was violent
he'd turnaround and look at me and Yup I was smiling
Rhyme Fest and I could talk shit all day
But I'd crack a few jokes and be on my way
I'll never forget the day I heard Cap D say
"when's Panik gonna put you on?"
And in a strange way, that made me the way I am today
I work like I'm insane, I don't play
I didn't like the sound of anybody putting me on
But straight up I can't front, thank you for the guidance
The sessions in that basement, were not the basics
It was next level shit, I had to respect the greatness
It was where the Chicago elite would come to meet
&
Grab a landscape so they could paint away
Just a teen, living a dream
Learning from each

Hook -

You weren't there
Only I can see ...
Plus a few true legends,
Listen, I am ME
Look I paid my dues so Hip-hop is me
And Chicago knows so keep an eye on me
I've seen em rise, I've seen em fall
Y'all don't know this culture, I've seen it all
Before the net, the streets were here
I was all in them spots and you weren't there

Verse 2

You weren't there at my first concert at the Congress
Beatnuts, Organized Konfusion and Common 2
The crowd was crazy not just standin and starin
Reaction! Emotion was apparent 4
The Beatnuts killed it, I remember so clear
that's why to this day they still get props over here
And either Pharohe was sick or the promoter was on bullshit
But he ain't show, regardless Po killed the show
Haha and ya'll think Common is soft?
Shhh ... that night he went off!
Some dude pulled his Mic chord
And Yup, it was on!
It was unreal like, "what was I on"
Him and NO ID stomped the whole first row
With Timbaland boots, I was like whoaaaa!
My very 1st show and already, 5-0
But this would set the tone for hip-hop in the go
And I ain't even spoke on the local shows
Back then it was Humble Quest and on da Lo
Euphonics and Chicago Tribe
Bboys,Mc's,d's, kings
4's and vicelords all in the same scene
Shit was crazy, every week a fight
And to be honest it was no surprise
But I was shocked the night I seen that dude die ...

Hook -

You weren't there
Only I can see ...
Plus a few true legends,
Listen, I am ME
Look I paid my dues so Hip-hop is me
And Chicago knows so keep an eye on me
I've seen em rise, I've seen em fall
Y'all don't know this culture, I've seen it all
Before the net, the streets were here
I was all in them spots and you weren't there