Abstract Mindstate Releases “Church Shoes”
Currently wrapping up their final show dates overseas with Slum Village for the FUN Since 92 Tour, the Chicago Hip-Hop duo known as Abstract Mindstate share their new single “Church Shoes”. Released today (4/26/2024) on all major digital streaming platforms via Honest Music/Barak With Love/Virgin Music Group, the song features guest vocals from NoMbe and co-production by South Africa’s Dave Audinary.
“‘Church Shoes’ is a metaphor for walking in the spirit or standing in your truth. It’s us being honest about our intentions as well as our expectations with this music.” – Olskool Ice-Gre (of Abstract Mindstate)
Abstract Mindstate has gained renewed momentum and motivation since their 2021 collaboration album with Kanye West, Dreams Still Inspire. The duo, comprised of Olskool Ice-Gre and Ebony Poetress (a.k.a. E.P. Da Hellcat), forge ahead with the preparation of their next album– this time with production from Midwest compatriot and Slum Village legend, Young RJ. “Church Shoes” serves as the forthcoming album’s second single.
MORE ABOUT ABSTRACT MINDSTATE:
Olskool Ice-Gre and Ebony Poetress (a.k.a. E.P. Da Hellcat) are the male/female Hip-Hop duo known as Abstract Mindstate, hailing from the Southside and Westside of Chicago respectively. The pair made a name for themselves in the early 2000s with their golden era sensibilities, their brutally honest and introspective lyrics over soulful beats, and their energetic and connected live performances. They proudly label themselves Adult Contemporary Hip Hop or ACH, a term Gre coined and has been using to describe the group’s music for several years.
Their 2001 debut album We Paid, Let Us In! was to be the first of three albums they had planned, including Still Paying and You Owe Us Change. The former was set to feature Kanye West, Common, and John Legend. But when a “a sizable investment” fell through, and their label situation didn’t pan out, the album was ultimately shelved. The duo pivoted to their Chicago’s Hardest Working mixtape series to try to stay afloat and keep the momentum in their favor, but the group soon faced personal hardship and decided to hang up the mics in 2008.
Over a decade later, Gre and EP would re-emerge with a full-length album produced entirely by Kanye West, an artist their group had inspired early on. The album, Dreams Still Inspire, would be the only official release via Kanye’s YZY SND. Although no longer affiliated with the label, the group continues to evolve as part of the Slum Village family, a sibling group whose DNA permeates the likes of Midwestern Hip-Hop greats.