Distracted

BY: AMY SCHWARTZ AND ALLIE RUSSELL

On October 10th, 2024, fans got to see a new side of underground legend Mike DFG with his latest mixtape, Love Letter to the West. Not only does this project showcase his personal growth as a rapper and producer, but even more so reveals his talent as a writer and storyteller. Love Letter to the West details his experience growing up on the west side of Chicago; it’s about grief, loss, and lessons taught, things he and others alike have all gone through, making this project his most relatable and sincere yet.  

The project’s 10/10 release date was no accident. When asked about the importance of the date, Mike explained he chose it because of its angel number meaning – a theme he’s stuck with since releasing his single Common Cents on 2/2 earlier this year. The angel number 10 10 signifies new beginnings, manifestation, personal growth, and alignment, all things Love Letter to the West represents. “Any other release date did not make sense to me,” he stated. In true Mike DFG fashion, the trailer for the project dropped before the mixtape was finished, proving how much he thrives under pressure.  

Rebirth is a standout track on the mixtape with verses from featured artists Luuvey and Fydéle. The song details real life loss and relationships from the perspectives of both Mike and Fydéle, who also grew up on the west side. In our discussion Mike went in depth on the types of relationships he grew up around, stating “It was a lot of toxic masculinity in a way. […] We don’t say I love you too much but we have to break that. You kinda got to because you lose so many people.” Each track seems to become more personal as the project progresses, with tracks like Off Kilter describing what it was like to grow up as an only child in a single parent home, his struggles with creative burnout, and talking to Jesus in moments of struggle. Mike pushed himself artistically on these tracks, tackling daunting beats that many others would have rejected. “I had to put my all into it” he said, proving success in his mission to put himself in “audio form.”

Polk & Lawndale Freestyle is another favorite off the release. It stands as the longest track on the mixtape due to there being two halves, each dedicated to one of the respective streets where Mike DFG grew up. “Polk and Lawndale had everything. […] I have memories attached to that whole block,” says Mike. He explained that these two streets hold the school he grew up in, his friends of over 10 years, the alley where his grandpa fixed cars, and even where he lost two cousins. When starting the mixtape he knew Polk and Lawndale was something he needed to pay tribute to, and once finishing the track stated that “it came out exactly how I wanted it to.”

Tracklistings have long been important to Mike, and this project is no exception. In our conversation, he took us through his process behind making each transition and the tracking order perfect. Mike said he knew from the beginning West$ide Legends (W$L) had to be the first track, and that moment of clarity., featuring R&B artist Kwatt, was the perfect ending. “Transitions is a lost art” he added, highlighting that the transition from Nobel to Off Kilter is his favorite.  

Love Letter to the West is far more than just a mixtape – it’s Mike DFG’s most influential project yet, a true reflection of his life and internal growth. Through deeply personal tracks and vivid memories of Chicago’s west side, Mike offers listeners a raw and honest look into his journey. Love Letter to the West stands as a defining chapter in his career, solidifying his acclaim as both a skilled artist and a profound storyteller. 

Check out our playlist below where you can hear the entirety of Love Letter to the West alongside the songs that inspired Mike DFG during the creation of the project.