Alex Fruchter Archives - Chicago Reader

Gifts to teach hip-hop heads their history

Each of these reissues helps unfold a different chapter in the rich narrative of the Chicago hip-hop scene.

Hip-hop site Ruby Hornet throws its first show in years, Lumpen Radio teams up with Sonorama for a bumping Día de los Muertos party, and more.

These modest Chicago imprints have gotten so good at what they do that they’re shaping music scenes far and wide.

Thoughtful young Evanston rapper and producer Kweku Collins celebrates a great freshman year at Closed Sessions with the release of his first album.

A nightclub party starter, WGCI radio personality, and scene linchpin, DJ Timbuck2 died Saturday at age 34.

Plus: Troubled Hubble reunite after a ten-year hiatus, and Varsity and Lord Snow release new music.

Five honors students from Chicago rap’s freshman class: Alex Wiley, Saba, Spenzo, Taylor Bennett, and ZMoney

Pitchfork lineup predictions, Charlemagne Palestine’s long-overdue return to Chicago, and more

The esteemed LA rapper-producer headlines this month’s Closed Sessions Live hip-hop showcase.

The Closed Sessions marquee rapper dropped his debut yesterday, and its experimental, maximalist pop sound is part of what makes it so endearing.

Chance the Rapper drops Acid Rap—and it’s going to take him to places he’s only imagined.

The man known as DJ RTC: “Curren$y, he sent me an e-mail, just three words: ‘I’m with you.'”