Tasha is the sweetest. When we first had her on the show a couple years back, she had just come back to Chicago from college, and was working as an organizer with BYP. Two years later, she has a burgeoning, expanding musical career, which she’s doing on her own terms. She talks space, music-making, Instagram comments, and much more.
Episode 162 - Phenom
Phenom isn’t new to this. The rapper, educator, and mentor has been sharing bars across Chicago for decades, and has some stories to tell. He is the founder of Emcee Skool, an initiative that “provides self-motivated artists with the proper tools and training to deliver highly impactful projects that can be used as peace making and humanity building strategies worldwide.” He goes deep into his journey, from battle raps to Iraq and back, taking Damon and Kiss along for the ride.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 163 - In the Loop, Out the Blue #3
In the Loop, Out the Blue is a collaborative podcast between AirGo and Free Spirit Media's Real Chi Newsroom. On the third episode, we take a deep dive into cannabis decriminalization, talk November's headlines, get updated on the new events happening in the city, and more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 161 - Kane One
When artists get really good, we tend to say their in a league all their own. Kane One, aka Miguel Aguilar, is in a league of dissidents, artists, organizers, and visualizers, and doesn't have any interest in slimming the squad. The Chicago-born artist paints on walls and canvases, under viaducts and in boardrooms, and sees color and form like no one else. He talks about securing the bag, '90's Chicago warehouse parties, teaching boys consent, and more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 160 - Aislinn Pulley
Aislinn Pulley is the cofounder of Black Lives Matter Chicago, and a godamn badass. A child of the movement, she has been a steady figure in Chicago's organizing community as a leader, facilitator, and community builder. She talks the evolution of BLM, her father's relationship to Grenada, and much more. We definitely need a part two with Aislinn!
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 159 - In the Loop, Out the Blue #2
Check out In the Loop, Out the Blue Episode 2, presented by AirGo and Chicago youth media nonprofit Free Spirit Media! AirGo's been working with their Real Chi Newsroom to develop a podcast that takes listeners deeper into the stories they've been reporting on, and gives a sense of the people behind the beats that the newsroom covers. On this episode, we talk John Burge's death, this month's headlines, and more. Get in the loop!
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 158 - Check-in #4
The guys take some time to check in about getting older, environment affecting growth, jobs, softness and masculinity, and much more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 157 - Roy Kinsey
Roy Kinsey’s beginning to shine, and he knows what knocked the luster off. The rapper talks about his decision to quit drinking a year ago, the clarity it created, the opportunities that have emerged because of it, his work as a librarian at a Chicago Public Library branch out west, his queerness, and more! Make sure to listen to his full-length Blackie, as well as his new EP #MoreRoy!
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 156 - Elton
Elton’s exploring, and he’s got the tools for some new discoveries. The emcee swings by AirGo to talk his roots as a preacher’s kid, being on the brink, working with AirGo favorites Luke Titus, Brian Sanborn, and Phoelix, and much more. His most recent project Elevated is excellent, and available now.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 155 - SoloSam
SoloSam is a Chicago emcee and a thoughtful, generous soul. He recently dropped Itis, a 7-track introduction to his well-written, boisterous sound, and has been performing on all the stages a Chicago rapper performs on right before they're ready to jump to the next level. The smart money's on Solo making that jump. He also, incidentally, works as a cold-cutter in a glassblowing studio, which we barely mention but seems really cool.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 154 - Iris Temple
Iris Temple is a dynamic duo with some of the most dynamic sounds in the city of Chicago. The two Kansas City natives went to high school together, and have been making music in the city for the last few years. They've collaborated with Xavier Omar and others, and they just tore down North Coast with a great performance.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 153 - Amara Enyia
This week's guest is in the thick of a run for the mayoral seat in our unfair city. Amara Enyia is a policy-maker, innovator, entrepreneur, and candidate for the Mayor of Chicago whose vision and platform is grounded in a way rarely seen in our political climate. She is candid and thoughtful with the guys as they break down co-ops, political machines, Jay Electronica, and more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 152 - Tatiana Hazel
Tatiana Hazel is ready to pop. The singer, songwriter, and Logan Square native is bringing vibrant, newly imagined pop music, with an intention of expending the "Latin music" lane to incorporate a wider range of experience and perspective. The former Youtube star just played her first headlining show with a full band at The Hideout, and dropped an album called Toxic. We talk youtubing, pop, family, and expand the realm of RnB beef.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 151 - Qari
Qari has bars and a smile on his face. He is, according to Kiss, "one of the city's best rappers," and his pretty constant flow is good raps over good beats shows no signs of slowing. A member of the now-defunct squad Hurt Everybody, Qari flows with an ease and dexterity that isn't common, even in the extraordinarily talented Chicago hip hop community. He talks his love of words, surviving, and trusting his choices in this honest, open conversation.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 150 - Vic Lloyd
Vic Lloyd is truly the big homie. The Fat Tiger Workshop owner and Operations Manager has been at the center of Chicago's creative community for over a decade. He was the Creative Director and GM of LDRS, the iconic streetwear company and store, and has designed apparel for Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and New Era. He's one of the city's sought-after DJs, and has spun at festivals across the country. His brand Big Homie Sensei is available at FTW and online.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 149 - Morgan Malone
Morgan Malone is an organizer, idea cultivator, and solutions engineer. Based in Englewood, she's a Commissioner with the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation, and is a Program Manager with Teamwork Englewood's Englewood Quality of Life Plan. She swings by to talk about reimagining on a block-by-block basis and much more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 148 - Healing Village
With Daniel out of town, Damon sits down with some of the organizers of the Healing Village, a pop-up encampment in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. The Healing Village is an accessible mental health space that is "artful, imaginative, expansive, and free from stigma." Led by community organizations STOP, BLMChi, and the #LetUsBreathe Collective, the Healing Village has brought a wide range of free classes, therapy sessions, meditation workshops, and skills trainings to a previously abandoned lot. In the face of an eviction notice from Alderman Willie Cochran, who is currently under several indictments and last week referred to himself as a self-proclaimed "gangster," the village has been facing eviction. Learn about the next steps, the work of the village, and more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Ep 147 - Kwynn Riley
As she puts it, Kwynn Riley isn't healed, but she's better. She is a poet, organizer, and blogger who hosts and runs the new In the Yard Open Mic series at Breathing Room, #LetUsBreathe's movement-building and healing hub on the South Side, which has brought folks out from all corners of the city. She has a second book on the way, and a play going up at Black Ensemble Theater. She stops by to talk about growing through the stillborn birth of her son this past winter, learning from family, and much more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 146 - little bear
little bear is having a hell of a whirlwind week here in Chicago. Between Pitchfork pop-ins, studio sessions, press, a backyard release party for their new EP Needs on Thursday, and playing in the house band at the third annual Chicago Poetry Block Party, the Bronx-based electrabrasspop artist is on the run, and enjoying every minute. Their new EP features AirGo alums the Burns Twins and Sol Patches, and the Chicago connections run deep (their brother just happens to be AirGo cohost Kiss). With Damon out of town, the two brothers talk music, next steps, shared childhood, and more.
HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.
Episode 145 - Loona Dae
This week's guest is Loona Dae, a vocalist, songwriter, and producer originally from St. Louis who has been a mainstay here in Chicago for a few years now. She recently dropped a fantastic new track produced by AirGo alum Eddie Burns called "Summertime (U Remind Me)," and has a new project called Moon Flower coming soon. In the meantime, peep her Phases EP from last year!