Ballad of the Bullet: Gangs, Drill Music, and the Power of Online Infamy

Dr. Stuart's ethnography is simply incredible. He balances strong academic writing with an intriguing narrative, and I never wanted the book to end. I've been a listener of Chicago drill rap since 2013-14, and there is very little credible material that helps one understand the subgenre's reality. This book is a terrific read and a very useful resource. I wish more academic books were written this way.I would've loved for Dr. Stuart to give a bit more background to the split between the Black Disciples and Gangster Disciples, mainly because that factors so heavily into drill rap, but he may have deemed that too close to breaking confidentiality for his research subjects. I would've also appreciated him writing more about the death of L'A Capone (a 17-year-old who was affiliated with Team 600). That death really shook the drill world, so it would've been insightful to get some detail on that, in addition to the treatment of death in general. Finally, I think Dr. Stuart could have dedicated a few pages discussing the overall trajectory of Chief Keef's career, since he's the most notable artists from the drill scene. Keef has really lost popularity after his peak from "Finally RIch," so there could be some analysis about how far a driller can actually make it in the mainstream rap scene. Lil Durk had to turn into more of a pop-rap artist rather than sticking to his original style.Otherwise, from my limited vantage point, this should be seen as the primary resource for anyone trying to learn about Chicago drill rap. Kudos to Dr. Stuart.

This book captures the essence and antecedents of a lot of the problems seen across the landscape of the urban chaos that is captured by the mainstream media. It is intimate and shows the reader the foolish desperation that has taken root in the minds of young people.

This book excellently portrays a side of the gang violence in Chicago that we rarely see. Stuart is careful to present a complex picture of the gang associated young men we see in the news and on rap videos. We come away understanding the ways in which their pursuit of “micro-celebrity” is intertwined with violence, not only in their local communities, but from that perpetrated by broader institutions. If you care to understand the nuances of these young men’s struggles, this book is for you.

Fascinating look into the lives of people where gangs, social media, and music all intersect in Chicago. This captivating book is both educational and entertaining.

I’m a masters student in sociology and I learned a lot from this book. Highly recommend!

Very accessible but informative