Rockie Fresh: Driving 88 Release Party @ Reggies, Chicago

Last Friday's "Driving 88" release party was a complete success in my opinion. I thought to myself before heading down to reggies' that the venue was going to be packed with kids, and although the teens were in attendance, it was not nearly as obnoxious as I expected. Looks like Rockies fans are growing with him. The venue was indeed packed though! Among all the music fans were many of Chicago hip-hop's major players. Hit the jump for additional videos and commentary about the show.



Chance the Rapper and Caleb James of the new Save Money click definitely got the crowd to wake up and start moving. In fact, i'm pretty sure Chance demanded it of them. The fans were happy to oblige his request. After the Save Money set, there was some technical difficulty, but Hustle Simmons does what he does and kept the crowd entertained. Hustle selected a young kid from the burbs to come up on stage a spit a little something. To many people's surprise, his first verse was pretty dope. Some funny punchlines and metaphors. His second verse didn't go so well... Probably shouldn't hate on Leaders1354 in their own house homie. You can check his freestyle below.



Once all the kinks were worked out (didn't take long at all), DC MC, Phil Ade came up to perform some cuts from his "Phil Ade Friday 2" mixtape, among some other joints. At this point, the show had a familiar feel to it. This was only my second time seeing Phil Ade, and really the first time knowing who he was and being familiar with his tracks. Just a year prior, Phil was at the release show for the "Driving 88" predecessor, "The Otherside". Phil performed his own set, but he did stick around to perform his collaboration cut with Rockie, "Where I Wanna Be". Check that out below.



Rockie also performed "Insane" with YP as well as "How We Do" alongside King Louie. You can check the King Louie assisted track and "Twenties" below. It was a great night of music and really made me excited to see where Chicago hip-hop goes this year. There was so much talent in the room, everyone supporting each other and making some great collaborative works, good things will come of this, i'm sure! Shout out to @JoeFreshgoods @Hustlesimmons for keeping the party going between sets.