Chilltown

Chilltown is a nickname for Jersey City, New Jersey that is particularly popular among hip-hop fans. The name was appropriated from the 1980 record “Raptivity” by rapper Ronnie Gee. The song begins:

:The Surgeon General of Chilltown, New York:Has determined that the sounds you're about to hear:Can be devastating to your ear...

Local rap fans used the term to describe the city’s laid-back attitude during the early 1980s. However, an upswing in violence Fact|date=January 2007 in Jersey City in subsequent years led some to try to rename the city “Killtown.”

The name of the city has also inspired the creation in 2005 of a new film festival in Jersey City titled "Chillfest, the mostly gay and lesbian film festival of Jersey City." The founders liked the spirit of Chilltown, a place and event to kick-back, chill out, and enjoy a creative atmosphere.

Trivia

*Chilltown was also the name of an arts and culture magazine distributed in Jersey City and surrounding areas. That magazine is now discontinued.
*Chilltown is also the name of the alliance from "Big Brother 2", and Big Brother 7: All-Stars, that consisted of the winner of Big Brother 2, his TV girlfriend, and top 4 contender of Big Brother 7, Will "Dr. Will" Kirby, D.O., Shannon Dragoo, and the winner of Big Brother 7, Mike "Boogie" Malin.

References (sources):

* [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14358716&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523586&rfi=6/ “Why do people call Jersey City ‘Chilltown’?”] Jersey City Reporter, April 15, 2005.

Chill town is also a corruption in British English of the place name Chilton. Ton is a shortening of the word town and Chil having no immediate meaning to the residents of Chilton in Oxfordshire, England. Chill Town Film and Chill Town Productions are a film production company originating in Chilton but broadcasting from around the world. http://www.myspace.com/chilltownfilm