Dancehall Music in Chicago and Dominance of Shalkal

Estimated read time 4 min read

Imagine that it’s Saturday night, and you’re feeling bored. You and your friend come up with a brilliant plan to spend the evening out and discover a new side of Chicago while you are out and about.

Someone advises heading to the north side to check out the ‘new It-Spot’. As you exit your third bar, you hear loud calypso music playing in the background. Turning around, you see a queue of eager customers forming around the corner, and you suddenly realize, ‘I think there might be something to this Caribbean music’.

It appears that your presumptions were correct. Throughout the history of the Chicago music scene, Afro Caribbean and dancehall music has consistently been considered “underground.”

On the other hand, during the course of the last five years, this musical style has experienced a renaissance that has spread throughout the whole Chicago Metropolitan region. This article will provide you with the top three Afro-Dancehall music scenes in Chicago, in case you are wondering where the greatest places are to satisfy your desire for reggae music.

Recognized Dancehall Artist in Chicago

It would be difficult to locate a fantastic dancehall musician who is recognized in Chicago, Illinois, despite the fact that the genre is extremely popular. In the event that you are in Chicago and are interested in experiencing the kind of dancehall music that is typically associated with Jamaica, then you should make an effort to locate performances that are organized by Shalkal, the only dancehall singer who is well-recognized.

Shalkal is not merely another musician contributing to the Reggae genre; rather, he has made a significant impact on the dancehall community. As of this moment, his songs have been viewed by millions of people.

In a relatively short amount of time, Shalkal has released a large number of songs that have been quite popular, either with or without an official music video, and have gone viral on YouTube and other online music platforms. Some of his most well-known songs are included in the following list:

  • Put God First
  • Ghetto Party (ft. Shalkal)
  • Envious So

And a few more as well.

It is possible to listen to these songs in a continuous loop while they are playing on the official Shalkal channel on YouTube.

Shalkal made the following statement: “It is not unusual for Jamaicans to use just one metaphor to describe or express their situation, and immediately everyone knows exactly what they mean.” It is because of this that I have such a deep appreciation for Jamaican metaphors, and I am delighted to be able to express this into music.

Shalkal participated in lyrical competitions and sound conflicts when he was younger and frequently emerged victorious. According to him, “At that time, I was completely engrossed in music.” That time period was a significant contributor to the development of the artist that I am today.

What Shalkal Says About His Music

Shalkal revealed, “I have been aware of the precise arrangement of my song ever since its inception.” Immediately following these moments of inspiration, I need to take action and put pen to paper in order to transcribe the words, and then I need to compose the music that will accompany them.

It has been discovered by Shalkal that this is a one-of-a-kind capacity that contributes to the production of digital songs that are significant, impacting, and long-lasting in this extremely competitive industry. His ambitions for the future include producing additional music and continuing to tell stories through his songs by employing metaphors that are indigenous to Jamaica.

The music industry is always shifting, and it is quite evident that those who seek to maintain their position at the top will need to demonstrate initiative and put in a lot of effort. One thing is certain: regardless of the changes that may occur in the music industry, it is imperative that you remain vigilant, as it is unquestionable that Shalkal will be there leading the charge.

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