Airgo

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!

The guys take some time to check in about getting older, environment affecting growth, jobs, softness and masculinity, and much more. Recorded live 10/18/18 in Chicago

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! Recorded 10/2/18 in Chicago Music from this week's show: OMAR - @roykinsey Royparations - @roykinsey

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. Recorded 9/25/18 in Chicago Music from this week's show: Hey You - @Eltonplusminus Demonz - @eltonplusminus

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. Recorded 9/25/18 in Chicago, IL Music from this week's show: FAST - @solosam Runnin' Around (intro) - @solosam

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. Recorded 8/29/18 in Chicago Music from this week's show: Ashes - @iristemple Tear You Down - @iristemple x @xvromar

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. Recorded 9/11/18 in Chicago Music from this week's show: Good Times - Audiobinger

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.  Recorded 8/31/18 in Chicago Music from this week's show: Por Ti - @Tatianahazel Dimelo - @Tatianahazel

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. Recorded live 8/30 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Baghdadi - @longlivecarl x @mulattobeats x @senmorimoto Pants from Japan - @longlivecarl x @kahrion

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. Recorded live 8/23/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: D'Evils - Jay Z Window Seat - Erykah Badu x Rick Ross

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. Recorded live 8/16/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Son Shine - @fessgrandiose

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. Recorded live 8/9/2018 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Puddles (feat. @Sabapivot) - @the-omys

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. Recorded live 8/2/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Take It All In, Check It All Out - Bill Withers

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. Recorded live 7/26/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Private Parts - @littlebearsoundslike Needs - @littlebearsoundslike Home - @littlebearsoundslike

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! Recorded live 7/1/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Summertime (prod. Eddie Burns) - @loonadae

Shawnee Dez is a vocalist, songwriter, and joyous spirit. Living in the world of soul music, Shawnee's sound connects to a lineage, but can't be mistaken for anyone but her. She swings by AirGo to get nostalgic, wax rhapsodic, light us all up, and more. Recorded live 7/12/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: A Blues in Tyne - Alexis Lombre Wasted Time - @shawneedez x Matt Hines

None of us know the future–no matter how muscular our radical imagination. But we do know that as long as Kaleb Autman is in it, there will be at least one person bringing love, honesty, and courageous, quiet righteousness to our fights for liberation. The 16 year-old organizer, photographer and writer delves deep into his thoughts on student protest, building a life, Future Kaleb, and more. Recorded 6/22/18 in Chicago Music from this week's episode: The Kiss - Roulet

Mani Jurdan is finding balance. He's a rapper from out west, mentor at a youth program in Austin, and a happily-affiliated member of Chicago creative collective Huey Gang. He drops by to talk loss, mentorship, his music, and more. Recorded live 6/21/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Venus, Mars (feat. @starkofhuey, John Renaissance) - @manijurdan Differentiation - @manijurdan

Nikko Washington's contours and contrasts are something to behold. He's a painter, clothing designer, and Hyde Park native, whose work has covered the albums of many of Chicago's finest, including Kami, Noname, Joey Purp, Vic Mensa, Towkio and many more. He has a new exhibition, entitled Saturn, going up this friday at the Adidas Originals store in Wicker Park. Recorded live 6/14/18 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Collect (Your Thoughts) - @harmonicsapien

At the intersection of art, culture, social justice, and community building, Kuumba Lynx produces The Chicago Hip Hop Theater Fest (CHHTF). The fest features nine different performing artists/companies presenting 12 different shows over five days. CHHTF is curated by Kuumba Lynx Co-Founders Jaquanda Villegas and Jacinda Bullie in an effort to reclaim public space, and cultivate a community building & performance space that reflects the communities we represent. The fest utilizes critical Hip Hop Theater to engage in a dialogue that aims to rewrite our narratives, reimagine the world more just, and connect people across communities. AirGo sits down with several of the presenters and participants to talk about their creative works, perspectives on the fest, and more! Hear each individual episode here: https://soundcloud.com/airgoradio/sets/airgo-x-chicago-hip-hop-theater-fest Recorded 5/26/18 in Chicago Music from this week's episode: Bust a Move - Young MC