Elton Chueng, 33, began his career as a professional recording engineer with an internship at Classick Studios in 2011. He’s since worked with some of the brightest stars to emerge from Chicago’s hip-hop scene in the past decade, including Saba, Noname, Smino, and Chance the Rapper. In November his contributions to Yebba’s 2021 debut, Dawn, […]
Tag: Noname
Posted inMusic
Chicago pop wiz Luke Titus steps out from behind his drum kit
Luke Sangerman, who performs and records as Luke Titus, is 24 years old but has the skill set and intuition of a seasoned veteran. He’s had a long music career for someone his age: He joined the Blue Man Group as a stage-band drummer at age 15, becoming the youngest American ever hired by the […]
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J. Cole’s insecurities aren’t Noname’s problem
In “Snow on tha Bluff,” J. Cole complains from the sidelines about how Noname fights for Black people.
Posted inMusic
D-Composed redefines classical music
Chicago string quartet D-Composed takes chamber music outside the institutions that have long excluded Black musicians and audiences.
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The best Chicago albums of the 2010s: the critics’ ballots
Here’s where to see who voted for what and how the points got divvied up.
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The best Chicago albums of the 2010s
The Reader polled dozens of critics to arrive at an absolutely indisputable ranked list of several hundred records that will definitely not start any arguments.
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Noname’s Book Club suggests libraries instead on National Fuck Amazon Day
Noname’s Book Club pushes library cards on National Fuck Amazon Day, Led Zeppelin 2 tour to celebrate Led Zeppelin III, and more.
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The best overlooked Chicago hip-hop of 2018
Chicago’s hip-hop scene overflows with such variety and abundance that it’s impossible to show enough love to every great release—but that’s no reason not to try.
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Noname evolves her unique blend of neo-soul, hip hop, and poetry on her sophomore smash, Room 25
Capping off a year in which she self-released her critically acclaimed sophomore LP, Room 25, Chicago rapper and poet Noname is set to close out 2018 with three consecutive hometown performances. Born Fatimah Nyeema Warner, the Bronzeville native went by Noname Gypsy before settling on her current nom de plume, under which she dropped her […]
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Chicago rap crew Pivot Gang honor a fallen comrade
Pivot Gang cofounder John Walt is memorialized in Saba’s Care for Me—and by an arts nonprofit that bears his name, which holds its flagship concert fund-raiser this weekend.
Posted inBlogs
Cardi B and Nicki Minaj are feuding—and these women in Chicago rap don’t see the point
Psalm One, Akenya, Sisi Dior, Chimeka, and Mother Nature talk about sisterhood, mutual support, and the pernicious notion that hip-hop has room for only one female star at a time.
Posted inBlogs
At the Coven Classic, Akenya leads a band of talented Chicagoans in covers of Halloween-themed songs by women
Friday at Sleeping Village, the Coven Classic presents fresh live renditions of danceable tracks from “witches and b#$!s from Grace Jones to Nina Simone.”
Posted inArts & Culture
Chicagoans tell us what they’re most looking forward to
More of the best things happening this fall
Posted inBlogs
Chicago rapper Noname opens all the doors on the new Room 25
Noname’s debut album mixes her serious social commentary with a new sensuality and humor.
Posted inMusic
The schedule for the 2018 Pitchfork Music Festival
Every set at the 2018 Pitchfork Music Festival, from the Curls on Friday, July 20, to Ms. Lauryn Hill on Sunday, July 22.