I know I’m tired of trauma-dumping. A lot of people are in the hurt business.
Voices from Midwest rap scenes
Midwest rapper quotes from interviews
This anthology brings together 18 non-lyrical statements by 11 artists documented in Midwest rap scenes. It is a collection by Midwest artists; not every quote is about the region. The interviews range from city identity and community to learning, artistic independence and emotional expression.
Chicago, Detroit, Gary and Cleveland
Saba describes Chicago’s demand for originality, Lil Durk reflects on the city that raised him, and Noname discusses reading and access to books. Freddie Gibbs speaks about Gary’s musical mix; Kid Cudi credits Cleveland’s crowds and his upbringing. Detroit voices include Danny Brown and Big Sean; Tech N9ne adds a Kansas City perspective. Those experiences are not presented as one shared regional outlook.
Explore the artists and their sources
The artist name on each card opens that artist’s library, while the source link returns to the conversation. For other regional selections, compare East Coast, West Coast and Southern rap quotes. For more on learning across scenes, read education and learning.
Danny Brown
But I never wanna be the butthurt rapper, always complaining in songs about where the culture gone. Nobody wanna hear that shit, man.
Kid Cudi
Freddie Gibbs
Lil Durk
Noname
Saba
Juice WRLD
More artists
If I could cry regularly I probably would’ve cried on “Stop The Sailor”, but it’s hard for me to do.
I don’t believe I’m the savior of hip-hop or bringing hip-hop back or anything like that — I just feel like it’s me doing me!
But for the first time in my life, I had to put myself first, or I was going to self-destruct.
I think I’m meant to live in Chicago, I’m meant to stay here.