Hilltopolis Preview

People were elated when The Cool Kids, an elite rap duo comprised of Chuck Inglish and Sir Michael Rocks of Chicago, announced last summer that they would officially reunite. Last Friday, Inglish and Rocks delighted fans even more with the release of their first album, "Special Edition Grandmaster Deluxe," since their 2011 output "When Fish Ride Bicycles."

Now, the news gets better. Thanks to Work Hard Pittsburgh, a cooperatively owned and operated business incubator, underground giants The Cool Kids visit the 'Burgh for a concert on Friday, September 22, 2017.

To match the cooperative effort of Work Hard Pittsburgh, key partners collaborate on the concert officially called Hilltopolis. Drinking Partners Podcast emcee the event. Creatives Drink, a free networking event disguised as a turn-up, hosts the pregame party and the afterparty. Cody Baker and Chancelor Humphrey will throw the C.D. afterparty in a warehouse 30 minutes after The Cool Kids leave the Hilltopolis stage in Grandview Park located between Mount Washington and Allentown. C.D.'s resident DJ Pete Butta will spin the tracks.

A post shared by Creatives Drink (@creativesdrink) on Sep 14, 2017 at 6:47pm PDT

Further, emerging local stars Pk Delay and Pet Zebra are the opening acts for Inglish and Rocks. Both Delay and Zebra steadily make names for themselves in the 'Burgh and elsewhere with their entertainment value. Recently, they visited Morgantown, W. VA. to open for rapper Riff Raff.

A post shared by Hilltopolis (@hilltopolis) on Sep 12, 2017 at 7:02am PDT

Most importantly, Hilltopolis is a charity event. Tickets are free, but Hilltopolis advertising encourages attendees to "pay what you want." All proceeds benefit Brashear Kids, a non-profit which supports citizen education and community improvement.

Get tickets here and come to Hilltopolis prepared to celebrate "social innovation through music and activism."

Hilltopolis

330-332 Bailey Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15211

Creatives Drink Afterparty

829 Industry St. 

Pittsburgh, PA 15210

Cool Things Happening in Pittsburgh (Vol. 3)

a piece of history - respect to late Mayor of Pittsburgh Bob O'Connor

Youth and popular culture in the 'Burgh flourishes because the movers are extremely active in pushing their innovation, creativity, community, and business minds. With this, the responsible public creates masterpieces like events or products that residents and tourists can enjoy.

Basically, the following reports on cool things happening in Pittsburgh to look out for.

---

1. Uptown Florals 2.0 by Makayla Wray

Cheers to this design prodigy. Since releasing a couple custom Nike Air Force 1 back in 2015, Makayla Wray returns to her bread and butter. Wray's Uptown Florals 2.0 are extensions of her "Warhol Flower AF1" and "BLK AF1" projects, Nike's iconic sneaker decorated with flowers. Officially under the "MAW" label, Uptown Florals 2.0 appreciate Swoosh heritage, Wray's ability to craft premium leather goods (the flower petals on 2.0 are calfskin), and "my uproot from Pittsburgh to New York—parallel to the same path taken by Andy Warhol," she says.

Stylistically, Florals is great. Though Wray spends a lot of time in New York, the Pittsburgh native is back in the city often, and she linked with locals model Donovan Green and photographer Preslav for the shoe's visual presentation.

Only 50 pairs of the Uptown Florals 2.0 will be available on July 1 via www.makaylawray.com at 4:12 p.m. EST. [$280]

2. No Joke with Paizley

Do you want to dance? Come to No Joke and be turnt. Paizley, the DJ, will keep the bangers going. The first time I heard Paizley was a year ago at Finesse with EYEJAY. He threw down, and I left the event sweaty. You can have fun at No Joke because Paizley advertises it as "Trap, Rap & Whatever Else." It's lit.

To give yourself fuel for No Joke on Saturday, July 1 at Remedy in Lawrenceville, listen to Paizley's new mix called "Blue Collar" that celebrates the 'Burgh's underground rap and hip-hop culture. "To be something special in Pittsburgh means working non-stop on your own time and with little resources," he says.

Remedy

5121 Butler Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15201

3. Creatives Independence Collection

"Creatives" becomes a way-of-life in Pittsburgh. The brand and slogan honor the people behind great productions. The staple that Cody Baker and Chancelor Humphrey have established in their Creatives Drink party they now transfer into core Creatives garments. The Creatives Independence Collection includes two Champion mesh short colorways and three Champion T-shirt colorways. Each comes with an American embroidered flag. Creatives' range drops on July 4 at 11 a.m. EST and will be available for 24 hours at creativesdrink.com.

4. Summer Livin

Splash around. Enjoy summer. Summer Livin provides energy and feels with food and music at the Highland Park Pool on June 30 from 1-9 p.m. Songbird Sierra Sellers and hot rappers like James Perry, and Lokal Foreners, have performances.

If you miss the pool party, attend LiveFromTheCity's Sun Fest '17 on July 7 in partnership with the 1Hood Media and Boom Concepts collectives. Support a community clothing drive and music.

Highland Park Pool

151 Lake Drive

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Boom Concepts

5139 Penn Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

5. Supa Jefe Tour with Kap-G and J.R. Donato at Spirit

Georgia spits out rappers like faucets spit out water. Up and comer Kap-G, the dude who moans "I just took a flick with your girlfriend," is the latest product from The Peach State and he comes to Pittsburgh on July 10. Some of the city's prime rappers like Calvin Portsworth, Pet Zebra, and Pk Delay open for Kap-G.

Spirit

242 51st Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15201

6. JAILBREAK Festival

“[The] intent is to create strength in numbers by bringing together the diverse groups in this city while having a banging good time doing it.

The theme and date of this event was inspired by Bastille Day, where a mob of over 1,000 people united and stormed the walls of the Bastille prison in Paris, sparking a turning point in the French Revolution.”

May JAILBREAK start a massive movement in Pittsburgh that people cannot ignore, an annual festival that brings local talent and local consumers to a big party. Heavyweights Choo Jackson, Benji, Mikey P, Tairey, Slim Tha DJ, DJ Seams, DJ Topgun, and much more entertain the crowd. The underground's best will also be in attendance on July 15 at JAILBREAK. Acquaint yourself with BABYT33TH and 1Geno. Review the entire festival lineup and show up to JAILBREAK for the culture. 

7. InTheRough Features with Geechi P and Yung Mulatto

Here are Pittsburgh's fashion forefather and Pittsburgh hip-hop's creative director. Geechi P and Yung Mulatto respectively move in their own lanes while influencing their peers. Geechi's attention to high fashion and streetwear educates a Pittsburgh public who is behind the fashion curve. Mulatto collects production credits for rappers like Blackboi, and he is the visual connection between artists' image and their music. Both young men are key players in the 'Burgh's progressive society. Learn more about them soon under Life's Goods.