Did Chicago musicians booked for Lollapalooza know their sets might look like an endorsement of Mayor Lightfoot?
Tag: Peter Cottontale
Chicago producer and bandleader Peter Cottontale blends hip-hop, gospel, neosoul, and R&B on his debut album
A lot of theories about how Chicago hip-hop was supposed to operate have been shattered by the events of the past decade—the idea that only one local rapper in a generation could make it big, for instance, or the insistence that the city had a singular sound. While drill became the dominant underground wave, proving […]
Jamila Woods builds on legacies that shook the world
On the new Legacy! Legacy!, Chicago singer and poet Jamila Woods lovingly details how art can learn from the past as it shapes the future.
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.
Towkio is officially Chicago’s highest rapper
Towkio’s balloon trip to the stratosphere wasn’t just to promote his first album for Rick Rubin—the Chicago rapper also wants to talk about inspiration, perspective, and togetherness.
Knox Fortune learned his trade in hip-hop, but he wants to make his name in pop
Producer Knox Fortune, aka Kevin Rhomberg, headlines his first show as a solo artist to celebrate his debut album, Paradise.
Chicago rapper Vic Mensa forgot to bring his punk punch to Riot Fest
Vic Mensa’s ferocious anti-authoritarian energy should’ve made him a good fit for Riot Fest, but he often seemed to lose track of it onstage.
Chance the Rapper’s Grammy nominations are a win for his community
You don’t have to care about the Grammys to care about Chance’s nominations—you only need to care about the young people of color he mentors and inspires.
Producer Peter Cottontale on why not to abandon CDs
Current musical obsessions of producer Peter Cottontale, Sima Cunningham of Homme, and Reader critic Peter Margasak
See 826 Chicago students interview Peter Cottontale, Single Mothers, Mourn, and more
The Reader followed four intrepid teenage journalists while they interviewed musicians during the final day of this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival.
Best-dressed DJs
Sundays With the Tigers at East Room 2828 W. Medill 773-276-9603 eastroomchicago.com In the past year, Logan Square’s cash-only speakeasy lite emerged as a Chicago hip-hop hotbed, hosting DJ nights by Grammy-nominated flattop Stefan Ponce, rising Adult Swim affiliate Thelonious Martin, and Closed Sessions cofounder RTC; Vic Mensa premiered “U Mad” there during a set […]
Donnie Trumpet and Chance the Rapper’s new album hit the Web last night without any warning
Surf, the new album from Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment (aka Chance the Rapper’s backing band), is for sale on iTunes.
Party with Vic Mensa tomorrow at Emporium before he plays Coachella in April
The rapper and Save Money leader teams up with Smoko Ono to DJ the Wicker Park arcade bar.
Let’s talk about a song on Skrillex’s forthcoming debut album
No, really. It’s good—partially because of Chance the Rapper and one of his producers, Peter Cottontale.
Gossip Wolf: One-man pizza party ShowYouSuck celebrates his debut EP
An untamed benefit show for the Rebuilding Exchange, and more