#2: Chicago, Class and The Curl
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Does anyone else feel like we're watching Chicago figure out its cultural identity right now? I'd say that post-Obama Chicago's culture has been all about 3 C's: Corruption, Crime and the Cubs. That wasn't always the case and I think there's a direct correlation to how Chicago is perceived culturally to the world and the financial opportunities for creatives here. Pre-Obama Chicago 's cultural output was world-class: Jordan, Oprah, and the stream of comedic talent being produced at the Second City to the worlds of the Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller and The Brat Pack lighting up the movie screens, Chicago cranked out culture that influenced the world. Dr. Dre wasn't wearing a Dodgers hat in those videos, was he? Now, there are larger systemic issues that need to be prioritized (and they should be addressed before we worry about creative opportunities), but I think the 5 biggest questions facing Chicago's creative class in 2019 are:
We're now seven years into the City's Cultural Plan. Will the next mayor dedicate themselves to Chicago's cultural community and the fulfillment of the plan? As creatives in the city, how can we make sure we're included in plan initiatives?
What can we do locally to continue developing cultural talent and preventing brain drain to the coasts?
How can we drive actual creators of culture to do that creation here?
How does the work we do influence the culture of other midwestern cities? Is there opportunity to develop partnerships that enrich cultural exchange between the "flyover" states?
What does Chicago culture look like in 10 years?
YOUR HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:
My first read of 2019 was Class: A Guide Through The American Status System. I strongly recommend you read it, but I warning in advance that this book is likely going to offend you.
This article sums up why it's worth your time, but here's an excerpt:
"Those who deny the existence of class in America are irrefutably projecting their middle-class sensibilities, for the middle class, more so than any other group, is an anxious bunch. They fear falling a few rungs, they fear appearing out of step, of seeming uncivilized or uneducated, of offending anyone or tarnishing their reputation. They prefer non-controversial art, like beach scenes or flying doves, they offer few opinions on politics, they rarely discuss sex. They are the tourists in Hawaii and the groups who fill cruise ships.
Upper-middles are the lawyers and doctors and investment bankers, the ones who yacht and “vacation,” the group that only wears organic clothing like cotton or wool, who are well educated and identify themselves by their Ivy affiliation or some other East Coast tribe, who play lacrosse and attend debutante balls. The proles (also known as the working class, and a term popularized by that other great observer of class conflict, Karl Marx) enjoy bowling, wear inorganic clothing with silly or generally debase monikers and epigrams like “Will Drink for Free,” or “Big Nasty,” or “Kiss Me, I’m Fat,” which, in the absence of any public respect or notice, act as a way of saying, “I’m here, pay attention to me.”
(...Again, if you read this and hate it, I will completely understand!)
At the top of 2019, I became the host of The Opus, a new podcast about classic albums that's a collaboration between Consequence of Sound and Sony Legacy Records. This season, we're talking about Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Last week, I was featured on an episode of The A-Show discussing the legacy of CM Punk. Give it a listen if you like pro wrestling (or anthropology).
If you live in Chicago, I’m throwing a party this Friday night. My partners and I have been throwing this party for a long time (I've likely dragged you to it by now) and we're now celebrating our 5th anniversary in 2019. The party used to be called Bump & Grindcore, but we changed the name to kick off the year because R. Kelly and the system that created him are horrible. We're doing a tribute to Beychella and streaming the whole thing in full. It's brick outside right now...the way I see it, if you're gonna go out, you might as well know all the words to the songs! RSVP here.
LAST THING: 106.9 WQRL “THE CURL”
Feeling inspired by the return of prep fashion, Virgil at LV — it’s wild to think that a director at a major fashion house has eaten Harold’s Chicken, right? — and Black Market Vintage’s Instagram over the past few months, I wanted to recreate the feeling of black ambition and the upward momentum of the black middle class. Not being able to do that, I managed my expectations and created a playlist that sounds like a radio station playing the best black music from the 70s and 80s with no commercials. The obsession quickly grew to two playlists:
The Curl is everything from R&B to soul to electro-funk to disco to whatever they were listening to at FAMU Homecoming 1987.
The Relaxer is my humble attempt to make the single best Quiet Storm compilation of all-time.
Enjoy both and have a great weekend!