Pivot Gang
Pivot Gang is a hip hop collective of independent rappers based out the west side of Chicago. The group originated from the Austin neighborhood around 2012. 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). Other artists who commonly collaborate with the group include Lucki Eck$, Martin $ky, Ausar, Noname, and DJ Damnage, along with others. History. Saba is the most well-known rapper in the group, and is known as the front-man  of Pivot Gang. All of the group's music can be downloaded for free online, which is one of the main effects of the growing independent music movement happening in present-day Chicago. 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". The group has released a mixtape titled "JIMMY" on October 15, 2013. 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. On August 17, 2021, the group announced the passing of Squeak.