When it comes to paying homage to the greats while representing your own block, few artists do it as unapologetically as Chicago’s De-fense. The Southside spitter just dropped a razor-sharp remix of Nas’s classic “NY State of Mind,” flipping the legendary Queensbridge anthem into a gritty, soulful ode to his own stomping grounds—“Chicago State of Mind.”
And trust—it hits different.
Directed by Raw Ruler, a name already stamped into the Chi’s underground film game, the video is a raw visual diary of the city’s pulse. Shot across multiple neighborhoods—from boarded-up storefronts on the Southside to skyline views on the West, basketball courts, back alleys, and corner stores—the video doesn’t sugarcoat. It’s all texture, all truth. The lens moves like a documentary, but the bars? They float like poetry soaked in survival and soul.
Over DJ Premier’s iconic boom-bap production, De-fense doesn’t just rap—he paints. His delivery is relentless but surgical, slicing through topics like systemic struggle, Black pride, gentrification, loyalty, and generational trauma. But it’s not all darkness—there’s light too. “Chicago State of Mind” is also a call to action, a love letter, and a battle cry for those grinding in the shadows of the skyline.
“I ain’t just rapping at the city, I’m rapping for it,” De-fense said in a recent IG Live. “This ain’t no remix, this is rebirth.”
The joint already has heads buzzing across the Midwest, getting spins on college radio and reposts from hip-hop tastemakers tapped into the street circuit. And with Raw Ruler’s eye behind the lens, every frame feels iconic. No fancy cars. No filters. Just bars and brickwork.
For De-fense, “Chicago State of Mind” isn’t a moment—it’s a mission. And judging from the energy in the comments and the reposts flying around the city, he just turned a classic into a Chi-town cornerstone.
The message is clear: Chicago’s De-fense isn’t just repping the city—he is the city.
Watch the official “Chicago State of Mind” video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUMmIvZ7v-8
Follow @Chicagos_defense and @rawruler for more upcoming visuals and behind-the-scenes heat.
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