As much as mainstream Western music-media outlets compare contemporary African artists to one another, often flattening the expansiveness of their sounds under a single Afrobeats umbrella, some musicians from the continent continue to prove they’re in a league of their own with every new release. Burna Boy’s fifth studio album, Twice as Tall, is the latest testament… Read More The personal and spiritual growth doesn’t stop in Burna Boy’s Twice as Tall

Imagine an intimate room full of young children playing decorated DIY shakers and other instruments they’d just learned to make from beans, beads, macaroni, water bottles, and rice; or an audience at a senior citizens’ center cheering on an all-Black string quartet; or a crowd that ranges across the ages in between that’s dancing, mingling,… Read More D-Composed redefines classical music

I co-edited the Whack Factory zine for Red Bull Music Festival Chicago in 2019 in celebration of rapper Tierra Whack’s show. RBMF Whack Factory Zine

AWAY’s Here Magazine It’s early on a Saturday morning and writer, poet, and singer Jamila Woods is walking swiftly to the entrance of the Young Chicago Authors (YCA) building. Dressed comfy-cozy in a large jean jacket, Woods unlocks the doors with her AirPods still in her ears. Aside from a few joggers and cyclers, the block is nearly as… Read More Returning to Chicago with Singer Jamila Woods

Loose squares, loose squares!” rang through the aisle. “Boy, if you don’t bring yourself back over here,” said a middle-aged woman with long twists flowing from her roots. The wide-eyed little boy tried to run farther down the el car when a teenager in a puffy jacket slightly stuck his Js out in front of… Read More Chicago Reader: Red Ahead

Scapi Radio sat down with Karen Hawkins, “Rebelle-in-Chief” of Chicago’s Rebellious Magazine. The six-year-old digital magazine covers Chicago events, culture and news through unique, feminist perspectives. Read the full piece here.