Pivot Gang is a hip hop collective of independent rappers based out the west side of Chicago. The group originated from the Austin neighborhood in 2011.[1] The four founders consist of brothers Saba (born Tahj Malik Chandler) and Joseph Chilliams (AKA Jerrel Chandler), their cousin John Walt (Walter Long), and their high school friend MFnMelo (AKA Logan Yutters).[2] Other artists who commonly collaborate with the group include Lucki, Martin $ky, Ausar, Noname, and DJ Damnage, along with others.
Pivot Gang | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | pivotgang |
History
editSaba is the most well-known rapper in the group, and is known as the front-man of Pivot Gang. Most of the music made by the group has a diverse sound, ranging from smooth soulful samples to more aggressive, rapid drill beats. MFnMelo explains in an interview with the Chicagoist, "a lot of the Pivot shit has that smooth kind of chord tradition that's influenced by New York soul, but it will just go harder. I'll put some drill drums over it. Some of my music has that same creative process, but a lot of it goes into a soulful, hip-hop-y route".[3] The group has released a mixtape titled JIMMY on October 15, 2013.[4]
Their debut album You Can't Sit With Us was released on April 19, 2019, with guest appearances from Smino, Kari Faux, Mick Jenkins, Jean Deaux, Femdot, Sylvan LaCue and Benjamin Earl Turner.[5]
On August 17, 2021, the group announced the passing of Squeak, who was fatally shot in Austin while visiting his grandmother.[6][7]
Members
editDiscography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| You Can't Sit With Us |
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Mixtapes
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| JIMMY |
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EPs
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Two Piece Tour Pack |
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References
edit- ^ The Pivot Gang Interview: Saba, Joseph Chilliams, Squeak, & Dam Dam
- ^ "Saba's West Side Story Is One Worth Listening To | NOISEY". noisey.vice.com. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
- ^ "Interview: Pivot Gang—Keeping It In The Family: Chicagoist". chicagoist.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
- ^ "Pivot Gang – JIMMY [Mixtape + Download]". EarMilk.
- ^ Price, Joe. "Saba's Pivot Gang Team Up With Smino for "Bad Boys," Announce Debut Album". Complex. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ Moore, Evan; Struett, David. "Squeak, member of West Side hip-hop collective Pivot Gang, shot dead at 26". Chicago Su-Times. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ a b Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (August 17, 2021). "Squeak, Producer and Member of Saba's Pivot Gang, Dies at 26". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ "Remembering Pivot Gang Rapper John Walt, Gone at 24". DJBooth.