Vic Spencer, Jaytekz, Redefiners, D2G, OnlyJame, Mic Torrence, Samy.Language, Energe, Sunnie Storm, Maestro, Brandon Drake, Jay Lifted, Misfits & Outcast, and DJ Caleeb perform. Hosted by Nino Punchlines.
VIC SPENCER
Question: What is the result when you mix the wit of Sean Price, the comedic delivery of DOOM, the unorthodox approach of the late ODB, the lungs of B-Real, and the life experience of a group home resident hailing from the gritty Chicago’s East Side? Answer: SAVEMONEY and Brainiac Society crew’s own Vic Spencer.
I was born in the Northwest side of Chicago. I was raised by my grandparents due to unfortunate circumstances. I always found my life surrounded by a mixture of bad luck and negative situations. At a young age, I didn’t know how to deal with the negativity & often found myself in trouble & on a bad track. Eventually I found poetry as a way to escape everything and found that as a way to let out all my emotions. At 17, I wanted to take my talent to the next level and decided to try rapping. I became. My biggest song to date has been a Fall For Your Type Remix I made in the backseat of a car on my way to 6 Flags. Just a regular day where I was feeling emotional, and people felt my pain. People loved the song, & discovered my other songs. Now, little by little I’m getting more known. My musical inspiration is Dizzy Wright. Other artists I’m inspired by are: Eminem, DMX, & Nas. Each of my songs are about my life & personal experiences: rough childhood, my father incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit (before I was even born), as well as many more struggles that have bumped me along my road. I have received overwhelmingly positive reviews with my songs because of the powerful message behind them that can relate to everyone. I refuse to rap about the bullshit that’s making “rappers” famous now. Who supports me to be brave enough to write about my life? My Pops. Although I have never seen him outside of prison walls, my Dad remains my hero & biggest influence. Our bond remains as strong as ever despite this country’s corrupt “justice” system separating us. Whenever I’m going through rough times, I always remember what my Dad once told me, “When you get hit, put your chin up and fight back until you come out on top”. I get hit every day, but I won’t stop fighting until my voice is heard around the world.
The Chicago music landscape is changing. It is not only Chicago and the Midwest that have taken notice. This evolution takes place on a national stage, where the world awaits what is next to come. The sounds of the Windy City now belong to a new generation, a REDEFINED generation. Leading this movement is two of Chicago’s very own MCs, ATM and Mentality. Together the duo formed THE REDEFINERS with a goal to bring a brand new approach to authentic, an innovative guide to genuine, and a pioneering perception of today’s hip-hop.
Chicago Hip-Hop Props Award-Winner Anthony Di’Angelo Ingram, Jr. or “D2G” as he’s called in the Hip-Hop scene, is a laborer in music all around. Growing up on the southeast side of Chicago, 2G would always relate any life situation to a song that would describe his emotion at the time. Inspired by artists like Rakim, KRS-One, and Slick Rick, he began writing at age 11 and would later transform his writings into songs. Graduating from Hyde Park Academy in 2005, he would find himself enrolled into Columbia College Chicago, where he became fascinated by the artistic environment. This atmosphere would later introduce 2G to various artists and producers.
A focused emcee in his own right, D2G seeks to bring glory back to his hometown of Chicago and earn his rightful place among hip-hop’s elite. Since releasing his first solo project in 2011, The Blood Diamond Tape, and his first album in 2013, July 9th: A Cancer Story, D2G has been performing and promoting his music across the city. After releasing his critically acclaimed sophomore effort, Short Summers Long Winters, in 2015, D2G went on to win the Chicago Props Award for Best Male Emcee. His latest effort, The Next Hot Day, brings the emcee back to his storytelling roots as he produces the sequel to his first “audiofilm”. There seems to be end in sight for this emcee’s emcee.