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.
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
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
