The 17th Cipher creates a Chicago Testimony w/ release “Over Decent”
The 17th Cipher has an incredible ability to curate not only some of Chicago’s finest talent, but hip hop creatives who represent the genre at a high level in it’s totality. Whether it’s a single, a project, or a larger body of work, their approach to curation consistently feels intentional, creating moments that have the potential to live far beyond the initial release. Their latest record, “Over Decent,” might be one of the strongest examples of that yet. There’s so much Chicago history and cultural weight embedded within this record that it deserves to be researched just as much as it deserves to be played. “Over Decent” isn’t simply pulling from Chicago sonically, it’s pulling directly from the city’s language, relationships, humor, and cultural memory..
The record opens with the creative Big Rich breaking down what the word “decent” means within Chicago dialogue, particularly when describing women in a romantic or attractive sense. That introduction immediately establishes the cultural framework for everything that follows. It gives artists like Rufus Sims, IAMGAWD, and Shawnna the perfect playing field to interpret that idea through their own perspectives. And everybody approaches it differently. Each artist brings a distinct flow, personality, and energy without disrupting the chemistry of the record. That balance is what makes “Over Decent” work so well. It feels like Chicago when everybody involved understands exactly what moment they’re creating. More importantly, records like this demonstrate why curation itself is an art form. The 17th Cipher isn’t simply putting talented artists on the same song, they’re creating environments where those artists can represent different pieces of Chicago while still contributing to one larger story..
Our biggest takeaway is simple: we need more of this energy. Hopefully, “Over Decent” is leading toward a full length project from The 17th Cipher, because their ability to bring together some of the strongest creatives Chicago has to offer deserves the space of an entire body of work..
Until then, take a listen and let us know what you think..