Heralded as pioneers and veterans of the Chicago music scene, Abstract Mindstate are arguably the only group in the city who has solid working relationships with established artists such as: Kanye West, Common, John Legend, David Banner and Hip Hop legend Special Ed, as well as die hard Chicago underground artists such as: All natural, Ang 13, Pugs Atomz and Profound. A.M are equally recognized and respected by Chicago’s local scene as well as internationally known and established acts, with collaborations to prove it. Abstract Mindstate paved the way for quality Hip Hop artists in Chicago and set a standard for live performance that has yet to be toppled but bigger than that they are recognized for it on a nationwide level. Their catalog includes a 7 song EP release (produced by legendary Chicago producer Andy C), a mishandled nationally released album (We Paid Let Us In), an unreleased album (Still Paying), five 12inch singles and a 3 part mixtape series entitled Chicago’s Hardest Working. The group feels they have done all they can as a collective and have chosen to move on to other things. There is no bad blood between the sibling-like duo of Olskool Ice-Gre aka Tha Gud Dr. and E.P The Hellcat aka The White Lotis, they just kept it moving. Keep your eyes and ears open for the work Olskool Ice-Gre has been doing behind the scenes with artists such as Trizonna McClendon, Rashid Hadee, Saige Skywalker, Kaye Fox, Garrard McClendon, Tayo Ladipo-Martin and several other talented individuals in music, media, fashion, art and entertainment. Until then check out his self published motivational book: I Refuse To Quit! The Autobiography of A Dreamer (http://www.irefusetoquit.com).
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Abstract Mindstate presents…Chicago’s Hardest Working Mixtape Vol.3: The Celebration! Released on 4 The Soul-Reciprocity Inc., this release was produced solely by Chicago up and coming producer/emcee Rashid Hadee who is featured in the Oct ’07 issue of XXL Magazine. V3 will undoubtedly go down in Chicago’s Hip Hop history books. Packed with an all-star cast of emcee’s who all have earned pioneer status in The Go, this mixtape could only be dubbed “The Celebration”. If the sub-title conjures thoughts of a very well known television skit, by a very well known comedian, about a very well known R&B/Funk singer who is now deceased, then you’re right on point. Those who have a sharp ear for production will appreciate how Rashid Hadee chopped, sliced and diced various songs from the legendary Funk singer/guitarist catalogue for Abstract to feast on. The concept of V3 was the brain child of Olskool Ice-Gre (the male half), who accepted his role years ago as the go to person when it came to hooks and/or song ideas. He knew no one could have brought his vision to life with better precision than Rashid Hadee.
The guest list on this classic, reads like a “who’s who” of the Chicago Hip Hop/ music scene. The artists who came to party include: 3 heads from the All Natural Inc. music family; The Primeridian, Iomos Marad and Tone B. Nimble, 2002 WGCI Home Jam Artists Hall of Fame (Abstract Mindstate won in 2000), underground legend Stedy Serv, CTA Radio’s own Pugs Atomz & Thaione Davis (WHPK 88.5FM), true B-Girl femcee Ang 13, internationally known wordsmith Malik Yusef, pioneer emcee O Type Star, 3 time Apollo winner and veteran vocalist Cristina (Sanchez), Rhymesayers Entertainment signee and veteran femcee Psalm One, the aforementioned Rashid Hadee (Neblina Records) and last but not least 4 The Soul-Reciprocity’s own; Dre Cagney and Trizonna McClendon. V3 is Abstract Mindstate’s way of showing love and respect to the veteran artists who have made an impact on the Chicago Hip Hop/ music scene regardless if they’re on the nationwide radar or not. Abstract Mindstate calls Chicago’s Hardest Working Vol.3: The Celebration their “pioneer party”. There are a few notable Go-IL pioneers who received an invitation but chose not to show up for the party (which was a let down) but what more can fellow pioneers do?
Chicago’s Hardest Working Vol.1 was Abstract Mindstate’s freshman attempt at creating a mixtape, so the group opted to simply have fun by creating a few exclusives, rhyming over a couple of popular instrumentals and mixing in previously recorded and/or unreleased tracks. Chicago’s Hardest Working Vol.2 (Project Soul) was a concentrated effort where the group crafted tracks specifically for the project. The majority of the production was handled by Rashid Hadee (except the Common featured “Nostalgia”). The music on V2 was very soulful and the subject matter had depth. Vol.1 was a favorite for the Hip Hop purist and received its share of press on sites such as HipHopGame.com but Vol.2 (Project Soul) received high ratings from various Hip Hop magazines, websites and webzines including; MTV.com (mixtape Mondays), AllHipHip.com, BritishHipHop.Co.UK, Platform8470.com, Ragomagazine.com and several other well respected sites.
With years of classic material and undeniable live performances, The Wonder Twins of the Windy City have decided that V3 (the 3rd and final installment of their C.H.W mixtape series) will be their last project as a collective. Enjoy the musical history they left behind.
