In an October interview with Lyrical Lemonade, Chicago rapper Kembe X (born Dikembe Caston) described a rocky patch in 2017 that brought him to a breaking point in his career. He’d been talking to R&B singer Kehlani, opening up about his lack of confidence and disinterest in his creative direction, and she asked him if […]
Tag: Kembe X
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Chicago blog Lyrical Lemonade shares its juice with rising rappers
By showing love to potential stars as well as certified sensations, hip-hop outlet Lyrical Lemonade has built a community alongside its brand.
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The Vic screens the Wax Trax! Records documentary before it’s even finished
The Vic screens the Wax Trax! Records documentary before it’s even finished, Chicago expat Alex Wiley returns to headline a hip-hop party at the Promontory, and more.
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Chicago rapper Max Wonders melds early-90s new jack swing with Kanye-style maximalism
“Go Home” is a highlight of Max Wonders’s new debut album, Hues to Blame.
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Rapper Kembe X returns to town behind the ferocious single ‘Squad Day’
In June rumors spread that Kembe X had signed with TDE—and even though he didn’t, you should still listen to his new album, Talk Back.
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Chicago rapper Monster Mike claims his own spotlight on Welcome to HDUB
For years Monster Mike has been contributing to Chicago hip-hop as part of two promising young crews, but he comes into his own on his new mixtape.
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Never mind the radio edits, here’s a new EP from local rapper Kembe X
Scion AV drops a five-song release from the Village collective member, which features Alex Wiley and Ab-Soul.
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Five honors students from Chicago rap’s freshman class
Five honors students from Chicago rap’s freshman class: Alex Wiley, Saba, Spenzo, Taylor Bennett, and ZMoney
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12 O’Clock Track: Alex Wiley and Kembe X reconnect on the electrifying “Know Normal”
The Village rappers team up for a strangely alluring track.
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Jean Deaux helps take local rap group the Village overseas with “Woozy”
Just a couple months after Village affiliate Isaiah Rashad signed a deal with Kendrick Lamar’s Top Dawg Entertainment local rapper-singer and Village member Jean Deaux appears on a tune from UK pop-rock band Glass Animals and makes the track her own.
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Remembering Rodney Kyles Jr., aka rapper In Rod We Lust
The aspiring local MC died two years ago yesterday, but his memory lives on in through some great rappers repping Chicago.
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The Reader’s guide to Pitchfork afterparties
Pitchfork afterparties: There’s no Bitchpork this year, but there is Rotted Tooth, plus plenty more.
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Alex Wiley opens Club Wiley
The Closed Sessions marquee rapper dropped his debut yesterday, and its experimental, maximalist pop sound is part of what makes it so endearing.
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Another tab of Acid Rap: More nuggets about Chance the Rapper’s life, music, and forthcoming mixtape
Couldn’t get enough of Chicago MC Chance the Rapper in the Reader‘s B Side cover feature?
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Win a Closed Sessions CIMMfest prize pack
Try your hand at rap-related movie trivia and win a pair of tickets to Closed Sessions’ CIMMfest showcase and a limited label T-shirt.