The following post come from our friends at URChicago.com. As you may have guessed, their CoutURe section covers all things hot in Chicago fashion. The Photo Lab Lifestyle Series focuses on local artists who not only express themselves through their art, but also their fashion. This time around, Torrio Jetson, a local rapper about to blow up the scene, plays high fashion model. 

Torrio will be performing on June 26 at Spandexxx .006, so be sure not to miss it. Click Here for the deets.

CoutURe’s Photo Lab Lifestyle Series Part V: TORRIO

The beach is probably the last place you would expect to see Hip-Hop artist and activist Torrio Jetson. However, we managed to get him to take a break from flying coast to coast, lecturing grade school kids about the history of black music, and working in the studio to devote a moment to well… fashion.

Words By: Elizabeth Aguirre

Photographs By: Jarrah DeQuien

Even if you’re familiar with Chicago’s growing music scene you still probably haven’t heard of Torrio Jetson. The Chicago MC has traveled from New York to Los Angeles and everywhere in between setting up music conferences for burgeoning rap superstars and meeting with label heads. Recently, he scored a deal with Heineken to provide the music for a commercial targeting Latino audiences and yet you’ve probably never heard a song or been to a performance. Those are pretty big accomplishments for a freshman rapper. However, in a few years Torrio Jetson may just be a force to be reckoned with.

The 24-year-old’s single “Windy City Streets” has been featured on Power 92 FM, Sirius Shade 45 and at college radio stations across the country. His youtube videos have received hits in the high thousands , and he is the only male rapper to ever produce a video in 3-d. A savy businessman, Torrio produces and directs all of his music videos. These initiatives may seem to have gone to Torrio’s head a bit, but don’t be confused by this artist’s swag, he is probably one of the most down-to- earth brothers on the planet. Besides, what’s Hip-Hop without a healthy dose of ego?

Torrio knows when to ditch his rap persona and keep things real. His experiences in schooling the youth have helped make him the well-rounded individual that he is today. He cares about the community. Growing up in a neighborhood where it’s not unusual to hear gunshots, Torrio could have easily become an advocate for gangsta rap. Although admittedly a huge fan of 50-cent, in his own raps, Torrio keeps it clean.

“Young and old can enjoy my albums, they contain few curse words, and instead vivid lyrical imagery” says Torrio.

So even though you may not have heard the buzz on Torrio Jetson lately, you definitely can expect to as he keeps adding to his qualifications by the minute.

For our shoot we decided to take Torrio along with the lovely Hannah to the beach to model clothing from the vintage/high- end boutique Verse Chicago as well as popular street wear store Leaders 1354. They braved the wind, the police, and JD our photographer who had his own battle with the sun for perfect lighting to create these stunning pictures. Torrio was a great sport and between the relentless winds of this Roger’s Park beach and the little talks between shots, the spirit of his music’s message, deeply rooted in social change, was evoked.