AirGo

We've all heard "conscious" rappers preach their asses off in a song that nobody wants to hear–the onslaught of big words and holier-than-thou declarations can be exhausting. David Ellis' autotuned bars reverberate with a catchiness that help his thoughtful, loving ideas shine through clearly and without pretense. The other half of duo FYI (Fuck Yo Institution) with AirGo alum Ric Wilson, he's also an organizer and activist across the city, especially involved in the fight to save Chicago State University. Recorded live 1/12/17 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Kinda A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West) - The Clipse BLK Crack - @DavidEllis00 Budget or Else - @DavidEllis00 Liberation - @DavidEllis00

Lester Rey is a singer and musician whose unflinching and infectious creations remold and reimagine in the spirit of boogaloo, overlapping the edges and sounds from Puerto Rico, across Latin America, and his home city of Chicago. His most recent project, entitled PROMESA, is a fierce and loving reflection based off the passage of the PROMESA Act, passed this past summer, which placed governance of the island under the control of a Congressionally-appoint board and continues the colonial violence enacted by the U.S. on Puerto Rico. Catch Lester performing 1/14, presented by AMFM and The Dojo: https://www.facebook.com/events/1239081902847780/ Music from this week's show: Got Myself a Good Man - Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers Promesa - @lesterreymusic Coqui - @lesterreymusic

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