If you’re an aspiring artist, this song might make your heart ache. Complimenting a sobering beat by Apollo Brown that’s the aural equivalent to kicking your shoes off and relaxing at 5:30 PM on a Monday, the 313-repping MC formally known as Chief uses this unreleased gem as his canvass to speak on the seemingly bottomless pit you put yourself in when you choose a career path outside the norm. Read the rest of this entry »

There are a lot of things I can’t stand. First and foremost, my job. Second, ignorance. Third, well, that’s a toss up between being broke and scratched CDs, which go hand in hand. Above all, though, might just be that g*ddamn Man. You know, the one who constantly holds us down from attaining the things we work so hard to achieve? Read the rest of this entry »

I appreciate Chief’s music for the same reason I dig his video for “Days I Remember” — that is, I can relate to it. Chief lives modestly and loves wholeheartedly. I had the pleasure of meeting dude after his set at SxSW, and I told the Detroit-reppin’ MC that I appreciate that he openly wears his heart on his sleeve, both on and off the stage. From a fan’s perspective, it’s a trait that couldn’t be more refreshing amidst an industry of closed-off rappers and bloated egos. Read the rest of this entry »

Persistence may pay off in the long run, but long runs don’t keep the lights on. Such is the detrimental mentality most rappers like Redford, MI’s Chief are faced with daily.

Despite status as a locally-cherished artist to many in the Mitten, on deep cuts like “Days I Remember,” this self-embattled MC still finds himself howling his sorrows over a Ben Price production that sounds as somber as the kid’s soul. After callousing work over eight releases, collabos with Detroit’s finest and nationwide spins on Shade 45, the fact homie’s still “…goin’ broke, buying the dreams that they sellin’ me…” is a God damn shame.

The ultimate irony is that casual fans will probably remember “Days” more for the Nas-lift from HHID’s acapella treasure “Hope,” than they will for Chief’s half-full glass of hip-hop reality.

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Download — Chief – “Days That I Remember”

The Broken EP drops February 14 on Mega Royal Records.