Airgo

The Mind has lent his ear and voice to much of the best, most ambitious music to emerge from Chicago in the last few years. The vocalist is a core member of @THEMpeoplemusic, the collective of creators that Via Rosa discussed a few weeks back. Fresh off a world tour with Mick Jenkins, The Mind hops on AirGo for a conversation. Recorded live 12/10/15 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: @Karavelo - Floaties @MickJenkinsMusic - Shipwrecked (feat. @themindmusic) @StefanPonce & @Themindmusic - Lost in Translation Frankie Beverly and Maze - Before I Let Go

Bryant Cross' thoughtful words dig in his personal intersection of "blackness & how it relates to being a man, an artist, a socialist, Christian, junkie, scholar, weed-smoker, American, chronic asthmatic, hip-hop, traumatized, army brat, writer, and bastard." Even Strong Young Voices contain multitudes. The Belgian-born, Southside-raised performance poet, writer, and activist seems to balance them well. Recorded live at WHPK 88.5FM on 12/3/15 Music from this week's show: SXMPLELIFE - American Beauty Erykah Badu - Hello (feat. Andre 3000)

With Daniel back east for the holiday, Damon is joined by guest host Page May, who is one of the city's most influential and fierce organizers, to discuss the Laquan McDonald murder and the protests that have filled the streets of Chicago. Page, who is part of organizations BYP100, Assata's Daughters, and We Charge Genocide, talks with Damon about what has been seen, has been done, and where our city and culture stand right now from the front lines of the fight. Recorded live 11/26/15 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: LightningDog - @SabaPIVOT Alright - Kendrick Lamar Follow BYP100 for info about upcoming actions at http://twitter.com/byp_100

Based on Saba's breakthrough project ComfortZone, one can't help but feel like the chords of his music underpin the drastic growth he's made professionally over the last 15 months. The mainstream rap publication system is starting to take notice, leading to some recent features, but Saba's power stems from the stage–his Comfortzone Live shows have gotten bigger and better, bringing young people across the city together for a joyous musical celebration. Not bad for a self-proclaimed shy kid. Recorded live Thursday 11/19/15 Music on this week's show: LightningDog - @SabaPivot SmthnThtIWnt - @SabaPivot Whip (Areyoudown) - @SabaPivot Marbles - @SabaPivot Across 110th Street - Bobby Womack Butter (feat. Jamila Woods) - @SabaPivot

Via Rosa makes all kinds of things–some of which sound great, some of which smell delicious. The Chicago-based singer and vegan chef brings the recipe to her elegance to AirGo and discusses how she came to Chicago, how she linked with @thempeoplemusic, and talks about her amazing path to becoming one of Chicago's Strong Young Voices. Recorded live 11/12/15 At WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music on this week's show: Lithium - Via Rosa Spin Cycle (feat. Mathien) - Via Rosa Magician (feat. @thatsjeandeaux) - Via Rosa The Choice is Yours - Black Sheep Come to We 'Go: A Chicago Showcase and Celebration on Sat. 11/14 at the Silver Room. Free, all ages! https://www.facebook.com/events/1509483092707298/

We 'Go: A Chicago Showcase and Celebration is 11/4/15 at the Silver Room. Come through! https://www.facebook.com/events/1509483092707298/ Kush Thompson writes resistance. Her "bathwater influenced" poems stand tall with love, and her soul shines on canvasses and pages. The semi-autobiographical pink-haired protagonist of her paintings appears thoughtful and carefree. Recorded Live at WHPK 88.5FM on 11/5/15 Music from this week's show: Abigail - Smoko Ono Soul Food (feat. Raphael Saadiq) - Big K.R.I.T. Sunday Morning - Noname Gypsy I Say A Little Prayer for You - Aretha Franklin Open Apology - Noname Gypsy

NOTICE: We 'Go, AirGo's first live event, is at 7:30PM on Nov. 14 at The Silver Room in Hyde Park, Chicago. Catch the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1509483092707298/ On her Facebook page, Bella Bahhs does not call herself a rapper–rather, she uses the phrase "rapping public relations specialist." She communicates in the streets and on the stages of Chicago, bringing bars and hooks that intentionally counteract the dominant narrative and push back. Much of her recent work has honored her family members and connected the multigenerational dots. HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE. http://patreon.com/airgo Recorded live at WHPK 88.5FM on 10/22/15 Music from this week's show: Untitled 06 - Dert Floyd OG - @BellaBahhs Royal Family - @BellaBahhs Time Out Chair - Genesis Khan

Ravyn Lenae makes elegant music. The ChiArts High School student released Moon Shoes, an EP largely produced by 20 year-old Monte Booker, a couple months ago, and the eight-song project has been an AirGo favorite since it dropped. Her elegant writing fits Monte's production so well that Chicago heavyweight Saba said, "Ravyn and Monte together [are] damn near the best collab in music.” She swings by the WHPK studio to talk that collab, high school life, and more. Recorded live @WHPK 10/15/15 Music from this week's show: New - The ARE Moon Shoes - Ravyn Lenae Blossom Dearie - Ravyn Lenae Free Room - Ravyn Lenae Every Little Thing I Do - Soul For Real http://twitter.com/ravynlenae http://airgoradio.com http://twitter.com/airgoradio http://patreon.com/airgo HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE.

This week's guest is the sister of one of AirGo's hosts–let's see if you can guess which one. She is also an accomplished and ferocious playwright, poet, and organizer whose newest play Octagon, a critical depiction of the slam poetry scene, recently premiered in London. Kristiana Colón has been using her Strong Young Voice for years in Chicago, reshaping the artistic and organizing communities for the fresher. Recorded live @WHPK 88.5FM on 10/8/15 Music from this week's show: Air Between Toes - Swimful Butterfly Water Me - FKA Twigs 40 Days 40 Nights - April Fools Too Little in Common to be Lovers - The Newcomers HELP SPREAD THE WORDS OF THESE STRONG YOUNG VOICES BY BECOMING AN AMPLIFIER WITH A MONTHLY DONATION THROUGH PATREON, THE ARTS PATRONAGE SITE. http://patreon.com/airgo Thanks to @neonpajamas for curating the show's instrumentals.

Comedian Just Nesh appears on stages across the city, bringing a laissez-faire comedic voice to some of the struggles of being a working comic, and a Black woman, in the City of Wind. In addition to her role hosting and performing all over Chicago, she's also the voice behind some of the funniest parody songs the AirGo crew has ever seen. In short, she's really funny. Recorded Live 10/1/15 at WHPK 88.5FM Music from this week's show: Breathe (Instrumental) - @Just-Blaze Tiny Soldiers - M&O L's - @GHerbomusic Dot Out (Katie Got Bandz Pop Out Parody) - Just Nesh Hotel California - The Eagles They Don't Care About Us - Michael Jackson

After an AirGo bye week, Damon and Daniel return to the air with Dwamina Drew, the mastermind behind Chicago's Enstrumental clothing company. You may have seen the brand's famous "Rap–Lies=Hip Hop" shirts and stickers around town–the tee is unquestionably fresh–and Drew's work declares important statements about identity with the concision of a poet and eye of a master craftsman. He jumps on the air to discuss the brand, his new film The Revenge of Emmett Till, and more. Recorded live at WHPK 9/24/15 Music from this week's show: King Rashad (Never Letting Go) - @RomanFlowrs Go Go Gadget Flow - @lupefiasco Bank Head - @kelelam Cuz I Love You - Lenny Williams http://enstru-mental.com http://twitter.com/airgoradio

Add-2's debut album Prey For The Poor, released on 9th Wonder's Jamla Records, is settling into playlists and headphones across the city in the week since its release. The Chicago emcee couldn't be happier. Every social media post seems to be a grateful and relieved celebration, which he has certainly earned after years of consistent bars and beats on the vanguard of this era's Chicago renaissance. Aired live 9/10/2015 at WHPK 88.5FM Music from this week's show: Untitled 108 - @bruceleekix Young Black Boy - @add2themc feat. Jamila Woods Stop Play Rewind - @add2themc feat. Rapsody Use Me - Bill Withers Heartbeat (Instrumental) - Kanye West

After a last-minute switch last week, we welcome singer and rapper @ThatsJeanDeaux to the program. Some of Chicago's Strongest Young Voices are also some of the city's sweetest and most somber. Jean's most recent project Soular System Vol. 1: Dark Matter[s] feels like weaving on Lake Shore Drive in a moment of reflection, grounded and free at the same time. Touted as one of Chicago's "Next Big Things" for a couple years now, Jean has stayed patient, releasing quality work of her own and lending her voice in collaboration with colleagues Mick Jenkins, Chance the Rapper, Noname Gypsy, Isaiah Rashad, Alex Wiley, and more. Hear "Soular System Vol. 1: Dark Matter[s]" at @ThatsJeanDeaux Recorded Live @WHPK 88.5FM Sept. 3, 2015 Music on this week's show: Chicago - Oddisee Glow - Jean Deaux Voodoo - Jean Deaux Pusher Man - Curtis Mayfield Who Am I - Jean Deaux Thanks to @neonpajamas for curating the show's instrumentals.

How does a Strong Young Voice from the city of Chicago reshape the culture of spaces and institutions across the country? Eve Ewing is a teacher, writer, artist, research scholar, and BreakBeat Poet whose voice has taken her into middle school classrooms, through Ivy League lecture halls, onto stages, and to the alternative learning spaces across the country. Currently working on her doctorate from the Harvard School of Education, where she co-chairs the Harvard Educational Review, Eve returns to her old stomping grounds at University of Chicago, where she went for undergrad, and shares her story. Recorded 8/27/15 at WHPK 88.5FM Music on this week's show: Hot Sugar - Trapper Keeper (feat. Baghdaddy) Ravyn Lenae - Greetings Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves the Sunshine Thanks to Ben Niespodziany (@neonpajamas) for curating the episode's instrumentals Read and listen to Eve's piece "Requiem for Fifth Period and the Things That Went On Then" at Bird's Thumb: http://birdsthumb.org/february-2014/2014/1/10/requiem-

The first non-native Chicagoan to be showcased on AirGo, Reginald Eldridge, Jr. is a writer, multidisciplinary artist, curator, educator, and artist who plays an integral and interesting role in Chicago's contemporary renaissance. Whether on the canvas, behind the lens, on stage, in front of a classroom, or with a pen in his hand, RJ doesn't shy away from challenging himself or his students, and has become one of the city's Strong Young Voices by exploring the spaces between ideas and media. Recorded 8/20/15 Music on this week's show: Them Changes - Thundercat Ace Da Vinci - God Bless Erykah Badu - Out of My Mind, Just in Time William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got http://airgoradio.com http://twitter.com/airgoradio http://facebook.com/airgoradio

Ethan "Ethos" Viets-VanLear is a poet, organizer, peace-circle keeper and prison abolitionist hailing from Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago. Whether he's performing on stage or marching through the streets, Ethos has established himself as one the boldest voices in the city. His organizing work has allowed him to travel the world at a young age, including a trip to Switzerland where h testified on police torture at the United Nations as a part of the delegation We Charge Genocide. Ethos is also the lead vocalist of the new band Thy Neighbors, who are set to release their debut EP. Aired 8/13/15 Music on this week's show: Through the Way - Blazo Pray 2 God - Goodbye Tomorrow I'd Rather Be With You - Bootsy Collins Black N Mild - Thy Neighbors Meat Grinder - Madvillain Thanks to: WHPK 88.5FM Ben Niespodziany (@neonpajamas)

What illuminates the people who bring light into the world? Jasmine Barber has found a light source that she shares as a writer, educator, friend, and pillar of the Chicago creative community, and she carries her torch with honesty and openness. A Young Chicago Authors teaching artist, Jasmine is working on her first children's book. Aired live 8/6/15 Music on this week's show: HC Saba - Temporary (feat. Tink) The Joy - M&O People Make the World Go Round - The Stylistics Thanks to Ben Niespodziany (@neonpajamas) for curating this week's instrumentals. http://twitter.com/airgoradio http://facebook.com/airgoradio http://airgoradio.com

Nate Marshall is from the Hundreds. He stands in front of his house on the far south end of Chicago, completely at home in a stretch of the city often overlooked in the city's narrative. Marshall is bringing the city's triple-digit stories forward in his new poetry collection Wild Hundreds. In addition to his poetry, Nate is a Visiting Professor at Wabash College and a rapper, whose project Grown is due later this summer. NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the live show didn't record. In it's place, you have a 10 minute mini-AirGo featuring some live poems and freestyles from this week's guest. Aired 7/30/15 Thanks to Ben Niespodziany (@neonpajamas) for curating the instrumentals on this week's show: Mastermind - Apollo Brown Eclectic Relaxation - The ARE Drippin' Swagu - Woody http://airgoradio.com http://twitter.com/airgoradio http://facebook.com/airgoradio

Prison abolitionist and hip hop artist Ric Wilson is a Strong Young Voice working in the studios and streets of Chicago. He has also moved across national borders in his activism, heading to Switzerland as part of group We Charge Genocide last fall to testify about police torture in front of the United Nations and traveling to Cambodia to transform harm caused by state and interpersonal violence and create community healing. He's also one-half of rap duo FYI (Fuck Your Institution), and released his debut full-length project Penny Raps in April. Hear AirGo live Thursday at 12PM CST on WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago, or on the WHPK livestream. The show will be available as a podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes on Friday. Find out more about the show and corresponding We 'Go Mixtape Series at http://airgoradio.com, and stay linked on Twitter & Facebook @AirGoRadio. Help spread the words of these Strong Young Voices by becoming an Amplifier with a monthly donation through Patreon, the arts patronage site. Aired live 7/

Raych Jackson is a teacher in every sense of the word. From the classroom to the stage, her nurturing buoyancy shines through, turning every person into a thoughtful student and every space into a home for joyful learning. An educator, poet, and member of Chance the Rapper's #STAFF, Raych engages every day in reshaping the stories and communities of Chicago. Find out more about the show and corresponding We 'Go Mixtape Series at airgoradio.com, and stay linked on Twitter & Facebook @AirGoRadio. Help spread the words of these Strong Young Voices by becoming an Amplifier with a monthly donation through Patreon, the arts patronage site. Aired live 7/16/15 on WHPK 88.5FM Best I Could - JCW Time Machine (feat. Michael Anthony, Via Rosa, & The Mind) - THEMpeople Sun - Jhon Myquale Hey Love - Delfonics