This is kind of a rare get. Tree is easily one of the most talented rappers I’ve ever heard in my life. His “Soul Trap” style feels like the midwest cousin of Pimp C’s “Country Rap Tunes” down south and mild g-funk (the vocals, people!) from out west.
He broke big in 2014 via his Scion-sponsored @MCTREEG E.P. but had his hand in crafting the sound of Chicago that got broadcasted to the world in 2012. Tree crafted out a lane where his now-classic Sunday School album — and the equally impressive sequel — led to performances all over the world, not to mention some production work on the side.
His alliances with Chris Crack and Vic Spencer — both undeniable rap talents that don’t get mentioned enough when discussing Chicago’s rich bounty of rap talent — have produced so much consistent music over the past 8 years that I’m highkey angry that they haven’t just said screw it and became Chicago’s version of Def Squad. (That’s the floor of that potential project for comparison, btw. Erick Sermon, Redman and Keith Murray is the FLOOR. That’s how dope that album would be. )
Anyway, listen to this podcast when you get some time this weekend.
*Heads up, there are some technical difficulties with this one. Nothing inaudible, but you’ll be very…uh, aware that I edited this myself.
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#13: Podcast Ep -The Secret Life of Tree*