Stay ConnectedSubscribe on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airgo/id1016530091
A radio show, podcast, and radical media hub showcasing culture workers reshaping Chicago for the more equitable and creative. Listen to longform humanizing conversations with artists, organizers, performers, comedians, scholars, and more who are reimagining Chicago and beyond toward liberation. Hosted by Damon Williams and Daniel Kisslinger.
DJ, curator, creator, radio-maker, and teacher Rae Chardonnay is one of the best vibe-creators and party-builders in the city of Chicago. Voted the best DJ in Chicago by the Reader, she is one of the cofounders of the remarkable Party Noire, alongside AirGo alum Lauren Ash and Nick Alder. If you haven't been to this remarkable celebration of Black Joy, make sure you come through the Party Noire Black Metropolis New Year's Eve celebration. Recorded live 12/15/16 at WHPK in Chicago Music from this week's show: Here - @ericlaumusic Acid Rain (@chancetherapper x @kanyewest) - DJ Critical Hype and DJ Clyde Saggy Denim (feat. @wikset) - @destiny-frasqueri
Because of a last-minute cancellation, Damon and Daniel take the opportunity to check in with each other and share some ideas and stories, from sphinxes to imagining new futures to Daniel's contentious dilemma about a moose antler. Recorded live 12/8/16 at WHPK 88.5FM Music from this week's show: I Need to Know - @kanyewest Cha Cha - @BigbabyDRAM Zombies (feat. @karifaux) - @childishgambino Stranger - Paul Simon, @donnietrumpet, @alldayrecess
Sir The Baptist is a preacher's son, rapper, and singer who is reimagining what it means to celebrate one's faith in public and in one's art. Born and raised in Bronzeville, he embraces challenging hypocrisy of the church as part of his religious practice, all while compelling folks to dance in celebration. He has recently performed at Afropunk, the Made in America festival, and the Tidal Showcase at the Barclays Center. Recorded live 12/1/16 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Open The Door - @FKJ-2 Raise Hell - @sirthebaptist What We Got - @sirthebaptist Creflo (Almighty Dollar) - @sirthebaptist
This week's episode shares some of the voices, stories, and experiences of the Standing Rock occupation on indigenous land in North Dakota. First, Daniel and AirGo alum Kristiana Colón discuss their experience visiting last weekend. Then, we share three audio portraits by the podcast series "Voices of Standing Rock," produced by Bo Hakala and Bill Prouty. Hear "Voices of Standing Rock" here: https://www.facebook.com/voicesofstandingrock/ Follow Oceti Sakowin camp: https://www.facebook.com/OcetiSakowinCamp All music from this episode is by A Tribe Called Red, a group of First Nations DJs and producers. Learn more about the group: atribecalledred.com
You should listen to Jhon Myquale. The emcee found his way to Chicago a couple years back, and has quietly been putting in work with folks across the city. He's put out a string of dope tracks this year, and is poised to break through. He brings his thoughts and some bars to AirGo. Recorded live 11/17/16 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: wavs - @JhonMyquale Summer '04 - @JhonMyquale Flight - @JhonMyquale Hey (Instrumental) - MF Doom
On days like these, we need the proper vibes dealt more than ever. Drea Smith is a singer, songwriter, and member of the Medicine Woman collective with AirGo alumnae Via Rosa, Ravyn Lenae, and Jean Deaux. The elder statesperson of the crew, Drea has traveled the country as the singer for indie pop band He Say She Say and duo Pyyramids. She drops by AirGo to help figure out what the hell we do now. Recorded live 11/10/16 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Fuck Donald Trump - @YG and @Nipseyhussle Fake Like - @supportyourlocalvibedealer Division - @supportyourlocalvibedealer
Singer, poet, and activist TASHA shines. A Chicago native, she has recently released her fiercely warm Divine Love EP. She's also on the staff of Black Youth Project-100, serving as assistant to BYP National Director Charlene Carruthers. TASHA's brother is old-school AirGo alum Ethos, who was featured on the sixth episode of the show. Recorded live 11/3/16 Music from this week's show: Ocean Floor Kisses - @Galimatias We Got Power - @WowTashaWow
Help save WHPK here: https://www.facebook.com/SaveWHPK The University of Chicago administration has recently announced that personnel of WHPK 88.5FM will no longer have access to the station premises outside of the regular hours of the Reynolds Club, the on-campus building in which the station is housed. This change has cut out a third of our programming and ends a tradition of 24/7 broadcasting that the station has maintained since the 1980s. The decision to restrict access was made behind doors, with little consideration of DJ input. WHPK DJ, Sick Muse zine editor, and curator of The Promontory's The Corner series Sasha Teko hops in the studio, with WHPK stalwart Mario Smith on the phone, to talk about the campaign to save community involvement in the radio station. Recorded live 10/27/16 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Church Eye - @Sivey World in My Hands (feat. @Sminobrown and Legit) - @SabaPIVOT Icy - @SolPatches Freestyle Battle - @KanyeWest and @Common
Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib loves his city like Chicagoans love Chicago. He writes Columbus, Ohio with care and love, as a poet, essayist, and journalist with MTV. His new book of poems, "The Crown Ain't Worth Much," is raw as hell, and available now. Recorded 10/15/16 in Chicago, IL Music from this week's show: Piece of What - @RJD2
José Olivarez talks about Chicago the way Kanye talks about Kanye. Originally from Calumet City, a southern burb of Chicago, he's a product of the Young Chicago Authors community and former staff member of the organization. He has since moved to New York, where he is the Program Director of youth poetry organization Urban Word NYC. He's the cohost of interview podcast The Poetry Gods, and isn't a huge Nas fan. Recorded live 10/13/16 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Let Nas Down - @JColeMusic Hate Me Now - Nas
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
