Quiet Leaders #5 - South Side of Chicago to New Horizons as a Rapper, Recording Artist + Producer - Resilience in Life + Music with Chi City
Raised in the South Side of Chicago's projects, Chi City encountered numerous challenges, including community violence and drugs. Yet, he maintained a curiosity to explore beyond his immediate surroundings.
Facing racism in a small Iowa town, he chose forgiveness over offense, befriending the very person who tormented him.
These experiences molded his worldview and steeled his resolve to transcend his environment's constraints. Chi City's path of self-belief and tenacity amidst great adversity is genuinely inspirational.
Undeterred by his rough Chicago upbringing, he ventured into music and fashion.
Chi City underscores the significance of positive associations and the refusal to let others' views limit one's capabilities. He shares insights on achieving viral fame after getting Kanye West's beat—an episode that had Rolling Stone knocking and 'Meeting Up with the Kardashians' promoting—and his shift to writing songs for other artists.
Chi City plans to launch a clothing line that caters to all body types, aiming to fill a gap in the fashion market. His story highlights the importance of diverse experiences and the power of personal growth and resilience.
🌟 Takeaways:
➡️ Growing up in challenging environments can shape one's perspective and fuel a desire for change.
➡️ Exposure to different environments and experiences can broaden one's horizons and challenge preconceived notions.
➡️ Personal growth and resilience are vital in overcoming adversity and breaking free from limitations.
➡️ Racism and prejudice can be overcome through understanding and building relationships.
➡️ Surround yourself with positive influences and believe in your dreams and potential. Change your environment. Be curious. Observe. Listen. Relate.
➡️ Viral success can open doors and lead to unexpected opportunities.
➡️ Don't be afraid to pivot and explore new avenues in your life and career.
➡️ Fill white spaces in industries by creating products that cater to underserved markets. Sound Bites:
➡️ "Growing up in Chicago, you'll be surprised that there were a lot of people on the South Side that, then, it didn't make sense, but now, they've even left the South Side...It was damn near like a movie"
➡️ "That was the first time I experienced, like, holy shit, I used to always hear about racism, but that was the first time I actually ever experienced it."
➡️ "I gotta get out of here, I gotta move around any chance I get. If it's a field trip that can get me out of the city, I wanna go because there's a lot more out there I have to see and learn."
➡️ "You can't expect someone who doesn't believe in themselves to encourage you to be anything great."
➡️ "In someone's book, it's still an agenda. It's someone's agenda to make people view others this way."
➡️ "I never really wanted to live here at first. I used to come to visit now and then, but to live here, I was so caught up in the music."
📖 Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction and Childhood Experiences
- 06:43 Family Dynamics and Support
- 13:22 Beauty and Madness in the South Side
- 35:12 Understanding Racism and Agendas
- 45:21 Being an Artist and Songwriting
- 51:47 Creating a Clothing Brand
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Follow Chi City on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/iamchicity/
Watch 4K video on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@TheLatitudeIO
Follow Patrick:
https://www.instagram.com/patrickdepeters/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdepeters
Tags:
#ChiCity #QuietLeaders #LeadershipPodcast #Racism #Adversity #Healing #thelatitudeIO #patrickdepeters
South Side of Chicago, projects, violence, drugs, racism, curiosity, exploration, personal growth, resilience, self-belief, resilience, music, fashion, viral success, songwriting, clothing brand
