Band O.T.M. (AUGUST)

Acumental – Rhymes, Ramps, and the Rhythm of Chicago

From sushi skeptic to fingerboard fanatic, Chicago’s own Acumental is a rapper, creator, and lifelong skater at heart. Best known as one-half of the indie hip-hop duo The Palmer Squares, he’s been crafting bars as sharp as his flicks since the high school lunch table days. When he’s not lacing verses, he’s zoning out on horror flicks, stand-up specials, and Chicago Bulls games—or squeezing in a quick sesh on his pocket-sized setup.

Skateboarding ran deep for Acumental in his youth, but like many, the concrete started to hurt and the mic started calling. By his early 20s, he left the board behind but held tight to fingerboarding. Today, he’s 37 and rarely leaves the house without a setup in his pocket. “If I reach and it’s not there, the whole vibe’s off,” he admits.

He started out behind a drum kit in the school band, but rap was always the endgame. He and a friend began uploading freestyles to YouTube in the early 2000s, eventually catching a wave of early viral success. After a decade of side hustling, he quit his video editing job in 2017 and went full-time into music. Since then, he’s toured the country, rocked festival stages, and even made UFC legend Nate Diaz nod his head.

Still, touring isn’t all green rooms and glory. “There’s a lot of sitting around, man,” he says. That’s where fingerboarding comes in. His most memorable sesh? Hands down, filming the music video for his song “Finger Pop.” It’s a fingerboard anthem packed with clips from riders worldwide, including a cameo from TJ Rogers and a deck signed by Jamie Foy. “It was surreal,” he says. “The community showed up for that one.”

Fans often hand him custom boards after shows. One in Denver introduced him to foam grip. Another taught him to ditch the three-finger technique. Instagram, it turns out, is a harsh teacher.

Now, Acumental is gearing up to drop his long-awaited solo album “Perennial” this summer, complete with a limited vinyl release. A new Palmer Squares record is also in the works for next year—one he claims will be their best yet.

Follow Acumental:
Instagram: @acumental
on Spotify | Apple Music

Check out The Palmer Squares:
Instagram: @palmersquares
YouTube: Palmer Squares Channel