Chicago’s streets came alive thanks to hip hop. Chance the Rapper’s Magnificent Coloring Day concert sold out U.S. Cellular Field followed by Common’s annual Aahh! Fest at Union Park, supporting charities such as Donda’s House and the Common Ground Foundation aimed to empower and educate black youth and artists that inspire the community.
Also that weekend, hip hop enthusiasts flocked from local food trucks while neo-soul band The Internet starring Odd Future’s Syd tha Kyd and Bronzeville native Sir The Baptist warmed up the stage for Aahh! Fest. Common made an appearance by paying tribute to his old stomping grounds such as Harold’s Chicken Shack on 87th, also present at the festival as a food truck. He also paid homage to artists such as R. Kelly, The Roots and Ice Cube who were all a part of
the all-star lineup of artists that hit
the stage. Ice Cube took us back to
the early 80’s by performing his
Compton classic, “It Was A Good
Chicago’s own Vic Mensa revealed
the harsh reality of gun violence
encountered by young African-
Americans on the same streets he
grew up in with his short 20-minute
set including “16 shots”. Jeremih, R.Kelly and
local artists such as Matt Muse - Donda House
youth participant and Global Mixx Summit
Scholarship recipient rocked the stage.
Common recognized African-American victims
of gun violence imposed by police brutality
such as Philando Castile and Laquan McDonald.
“We’re going to write a new story,” shouted
Common to the crowd after leading into his
latest single “Black America Again.” Rapper J.
Cole closed out the night with a set of classics
such as “Love Yourz” & “A Tale of Two Cities. This
weekend, a new story was truly written.