The Through Lines of Greatness: Ellis Quinn, Kaicrewsade, and Alex Ciccimarro
A Weekly Review of Hallway Finds
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Source Material:
Every artist has a story, but only a few are writing theirs with the kind of fire that leaves a mark. Ellis Quinn, Kaicrewsade, and Alex Ciccimarro are moving through the industry with different roles, but their paths cross where it matters most: ambition, authenticity, and an unrelenting drive to create something real. Whether it’s through raw bars, soul-drenched records, or crafting the blueprint for the next wave, these three are proof that the grind doesn’t stop when the spotlight hits—it only gets harder.
Craft Is King
Ellis Quinn’s artistry was forged in the pressure cooker of high school freestyle battles. “You had to know how to freestyle to make it out alive,” he says, laughing, but there’s truth in the joke. That trial by fire sharpened his skills and gave him the edge he carries into the studio today. His process? Smoke, zone in, and let the beat tell him where to go. It's impulsive, raw, and dangerously effective.
Kaicrewsade brings a different kind of precision to the table. His 2024 project Yvette feels like a love letter to Chicago’s soul scene, but it’s not all nostalgia. This album cuts with a modern edge, blending warmth and grit in a way that only someone who’s lived it could. For a year, he poured himself into every note, pulling in collaborators like Aija Cymone and Noble Bautista, whose contributions bring the project to life with a palpable intimacy.
Then there’s Alex Ciccimarro, who isn’t the one writing the music but knows exactly how to position it to cut through the noise. His mantra: build careers that last, not flashes in the pan. “I want to work with generational talent,” he says. For Alex, it’s not about chasing trends but creating movements—and he’s playing the long game.
The Crew That Builds You
No one makes it alone, and these three know it better than anyone. Ellis Quinn’s roots are deep in Virginia, where friends and family first rallied behind his vision. He gives a nod to Gabe Niles, who helped connect the dots that led to collaborations with DRAM. “The home team’s support kept me going,” he says, showing that loyalty to the people who believed in you first is non-negotiable.
Kaicrewsade’s camp is just as tight. His best friend Aija Cymone isn’t just a collaborator—she’s part of the soul of his music, contributing vocals and energy that elevate the entire project. “She’s one of my favorite people to work with,” he says, emphasizing that the right vibe in the studio can make or break a record.
Ciccimarro’s take on community extends beyond the artist’s inner circle. He stresses the need for genuine connection with fans, especially in an era where algorithmic virality fades as quickly as it rises. “You need to build a real community,” he says. “Look at streamers—they’ve cracked the code. Artists should take notes.”
Vision Over Hype
Ellis Quinn is on a mission to carve out his own lane. His upcoming solo project is a leap into uncharted territory—a “dark electric” sound inspired by late-night anime soundtracks and video games. It’s bold, experimental, and unapologetically him.
Kaicrewsade’s vision is rooted in collaboration and legacy. He dreams of working with artists like Thundercat and Liv.e, pushing boundaries and fusing genres. His ultimate goal? To add something new to Chicago’s storied musical tradition while staying unmistakably true to himself.
For Ciccimarro, the vision is all about strategy. The numbers matter—engagement rates, streams per user, audience size—but they’re not the endgame. “It’s about building a business, not just a buzz,” he says. His approach cuts through the fluff, focusing on what makes an artist sustainable, not just successful.
The Energy That Moves It All
Creativity is as much about the vibe as it is about the craft. For Quinn, it’s all about finding the pocket—those moments where life, sound, and instinct collide. He might pull inspiration from a conversation, a random thought, or even a video game playing in the background. “I made a song called Cell Games because it was on while I was recording,” he says.
Kaicrewsade channels that same energy into his work. The year he spent making Yvette felt like a journey defined by the color brown—earthy, grounded, and soulful. Every note carries the weight of experience, and you can feel it in every track.
Ciccimarro takes it one step further, challenging artists to think beyond the music. “How you use the space to create an experience will be the biggest difference-maker in the next few years,” he says. He’s not just talking about live performances—he’s talking about creating moments that live in the minds of fans long after the show ends.
Building Legacies, Not Moments
At the heart of it all is the refusal to settle for mediocrity. Whether it’s Quinn’s freestyle-hardened flows, Kaicrewsade’s soul-stirring anthems, or Ciccimarro’s ability to elevate artists into cultural icons, the common thread is clear: this is about building something that lasts.
The industry can be a meat grinder, but these three are proving there’s another way—one built on community, strategy, and an unshakable belief in the power of the work. It’s not easy, and it’s not supposed to be. But the best stories never are.