Davis the Dorchester Bully isn’t rapping too fast—you’re listening too slow. As the Chicagoan says on “Virginia,” a track from his new album with Detroit producer Foule Monk, “Life is as simple as it seems.” And so are his rhymes, even when he serves them up with moments of head-whipping banter. That collaborative album is […]
Tag: hip-hop
Chicago alternative hip-hop group Bonelang shoot for the moon with Nervous Oracle
Chicago alternative hip-hop group Bonelang seem to want to make hip-hop that sounds like anything but hip-hop. The core duo, MC Samy.Language and producer-vocalist Matt Bones, both split the difference between rapping and singing—they often enunciate their pristine, staccato verses like they’re delivering a solo in choir or talk-singing in a Broadway musical. They also […]
Tree lighting, seasonal shopping, no coast hip-hop, and more
’Tis the season for unbridled consumerism masking as some of us insisting that “gift giving is my love language!” While we can’t stop the avalanche of gifting that is already in motion (although Reverend Billy would disagree), we can encourage you to check out some local pop-up holiday markets and consider purchasing directly from Chicago […]
Son Little mixes emotions and musical styles on Like Neptune
By the time singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Earl Livingston released his first full-length album as Son Little in 2015, he’d already worked with genre-bending artists such as the Roots and RJD2 and produced the 2015 Mavis Staples EP Your Good Fortune (he also wrote its first two tracks). In keeping with the musical openness of […]
East side flavor
Stony Island Park native Recoechi’s assertive bars carry a positive message.
Pillars market, Mohawk Johnson, comic book theater, and more
From 3-8:30 PM, the Trans Chicago Empowerment Center (2753 W. Division) is hosting a Halloween edition of Pillars, its marketplace for trans BIPOC vendors. Along with tarot readings, poetry books, and handmade wares for sale, there will also be free gender-affirming nail services for trans individuals. Yecy, a local Latinx nail artist, will be providing […]
Healing, music, and love
Freddie Old Soul credits music with helping her heal and find God.
House of the Exquisite Corpse, Pilsen Open Studios, Panther Party, and more
Pilsen Open Studios is happening from noon-8 PM today and tomorrow along 18th Street and elsewhere in the neighborhood from Halsted to Western. Galleries, artists, and vendors invite visitors and neighbors to experience the hyperlocal arts community. This 20-year-old event celebrates aesthetic traditions and innovations within hip-hop, muralism, screenprinting, self-publishing, graffiti, and more. Appreciators, admirers, […]
Mi Raza, Sarah Weddle, audio workshops, performance, and more
The film presenter South Side Projections (founded in 2011 to bring movies to locations across Chicago’s south side in order to spur conversation about complex social and political issues) travels to the Lozano branch of the Chicago Public Library (1805 S. Loomis) this evening for a presentation of 1973’s Mi Raza: Portrait of a Family […]
Queer Art Party, Afrofuturist performance, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and Zine Not Dead
Palmer Square Art Fair and Queer Social Club are teaming up to debut Queer Art Party at Sleeping Village (3734 W. Belmont). From noon-5 PM, vibe out to queer art, music, food, and community. You’ll have a chance to get your makeup done or portrait taken. Herbivore Chicago will be on hand providing plant-based comfort […]
Black Transport Project, Commuters Take Action, and more
Bikes aren’t cheap—but neither is public transit! If you or someone you know is a Black trans person in Chicago looking for a free bike, sign up for one through the Black Transport Project. BTP begins reviewing applications October 1 and will be supplying bikes on a rolling basis. When your name is drawn, you […]
La Esquina, Creepshow, Miss Continental, and Miss Holmes
At the corners of Cullerton and Carpenter sits La Esquina, a community center that opened this spring to provide free art classes and provide safer space for neighborhood youth to explore their creativity. Tonight, La Esquina hosts their first annual expo and fundraiser at Thalia Hall (1807 S. Allport). From 5-9 PM, this event is […]
Chinatown hip-hop, Summer Skate, Dracula, and dance
Have you hit a summer festival in Chinatown yet? Starting today through Sunday, Hip Hop in Chinatown is happening at Chinatown Square (2133 S. China Pl.), a three-day festival celebrating Chicago hip-hop while subtly intimating the relationship of immigrant communities to music, fashion, and street culture. From 2-9 PM today, there will be a street […]
Dogs and cats, hip-hop, and fancons
Got room for a little more love in your life? Check out Famous Fido Rescue’s adoption open house today. Famous Fido (3124 W. Irving Park), a no-kill shelter, finds homes for animals surrendered in crisis situations or deemed “unadoptable” by kill shelters. From noon-6 PM, they’re inviting you to meet some of their wonderful furry […]
Disability pride, Asian stoner food, yoga, and the hip-hop and blues connection
Women and Children First bookstore and Access Living have teamed up to host a Disability Pride Pop-Up Shop at Access Living’s space (115 W. Chicago). From 1-6 PM, there will be a pop-up book shop as well as craft stations where people can make buttons, write stories, or contribute to the Re-Wired Project. There will […]