Street
chiraq
What does chiraq mean?
A nickname for Chicago — specifically the South and West Side — that frames the city as a war zone. Born from the grim stat that Chicago was outpacing US troop deaths in Iraq. Drill rappers wear it as a badge; city officials hate it.
"He flew out to Chiraq for the tape and didn't leave the studio once."
Origin
Coined in Chicago in the late 2000s comparing the city's homicide rate to US military casualties in Iraq; popularised by drill rappers like King Louie and Chief Keef, and cemented by Spike Lee's 2015 film 'Chi-Raq'.
Frequently asked questions
What does Chiraq mean?
Chiraq is a nickname for Chicago, comparing the city's body count to Iraq.
Is Chiraq offensive?
It can be, since it frames the city by its gun violence, though it's widely used in drill music and local slang.
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