AirGo

Defcee has been raised in the renaissance. He is a rapper, educator, and mentor who has been a stalwart of the creative community in the city for years. He just released a tremendous new album called Damn Near Grown, his first in seven years–the project reflects both his own growth and the growth of the community. Cop Damn Near Grown on @Defcee's Bandcamp: defcee.bandcamp.com/album/damn-near-grown Recorded live 12/17/15 at WHPK 88.5FM in Chicago Music from this week's show: Try it Out - DJ Burn One Noir - @Defcee All My Heroes Did Dope - @Defcee When Somebody Loves You Back - Teddy Pendergrass Homealone - @Montebooker Like Someone in Love - @tomppabeats

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.