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- News & Politics, Essay Nov 5, 2020
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Tales from the polls
What a Reader contributor saw as a first-time election judge
- Music, Music Feature Jul 23, 2020
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Thirty-five moments that brought Chicago music to the world
The Year of Chicago Music has had less music in it than anybody anticipated, but we still have plenty to celebrate.
- City Life, Street View Jul 10, 2020
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You do you
Authenticity comes first for artist Muhammad Naqee.
- Music, Music Feature Jun 2, 2020
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Rhymefest’s greatest moment in Chicago music history
The veteran rapper and activist remembers an all-star festival by and for the community.
- Music, Music Feature Feb 5, 2020
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Building on the pillars of Blue Groove Lounge
The history of DJ Jesse de la Peña’s foundational Chicago hip-hop series, in the words of the people who made it work
- Music, Music Feature Jan 30, 2020
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The best Chicago albums of the 2010s: the critics’ ballots
Here’s where to see who voted for what and how the points got divvied up.
- Music, Music Feature Jan 30, 2020
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The best Chicago albums of the 2010s
The Reader polled dozens of critics to arrive at an absolutely indisputable ranked list of several hundred records that will definitely not start any arguments.
- Music, Music Feature Nov 27, 2019
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Gifts to teach hip-hop heads their history
Each of these reissues helps unfold a different chapter in the rich narrative of the Chicago scene.
- Music, Music Feature Oct 30, 2019
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Fighting for Chicago’s place in hip-hop history
Darrell “Artistic” Roberts of Chi-ROCK Nation has worked to document the culture he loves for more than three decades—and now he’s finally publishing a book.
- Music, Music Feature Oct 9, 2019
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The gospel according to Mama Lou
Lou Della Evans-Reid spent nearly 40 years as minister of music for Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, but even at age 89 this trailblazer isn’t done spreading the good news.
- Music, In Rotation Sep 4, 2019
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Jay Wood of the Freesole collective on a rapper pushing the narrative of hip-hop
Plus: Freesole singer and songwriter S.O.S on a voice that can move you a dozen different ways, Reader intern Aaron Allen on rediscovering brown liquor music, and more
- Blogs, Bleader Dec 4, 2018
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Marvell Wesley and his mini-me stroll in style on 95th Street
Crisp but comfortable is key.
- Blogs, Bleader Nov 5, 2018
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Rahm’s legacy: fictitious narratives and real obligations
Don't be fooled. The mayor isn't gone yet, and neither are the problems he's leaving behind.
- Music, Gossip Wolf Oct 9, 2018
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The classic Smoking Popes lineup releases its first full-length in nearly two decades
Plus: Not-quite-retired Chicago rapper E.C. Illa reissues two old Kanye collabs, and SoFar Sounds celebrates Pivot Gang cofounder John Walt.
- Blogs, Bleader Sep 18, 2018
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Chicago’s first Red Bull Music Festival is all over the map, with Pusha T, Makaya McCraven, Merzbow, and more
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 25, for Red Bull Music's sprawling November festival of concerts, showcases, and lectures.
- Arts & Culture, Lit Feature Aug 29, 2018
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Haki Madhubuti has lived his life as an act of defiance
And the 76-year-old educator, essayist, activist, and founder of Third World Press is as radical as ever.
- Blogs, Bleader Jun 1, 2018
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It’s important to react as quickly as possible to Kanye West’s new Ye
You probably already know what you think of Kanye's eighth album—if only because it's recently become almost impossible not to have an opinion about Kanye himself.
- Blogs, Bleader May 1, 2018
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Rich dudes rejoice: The ‘Fair Tax’ is all but dead in Illinois
A progressive income tax requiring folks like Kanye, Rauner and Pritzker to pay more won't be on the ballot this fall.
- Blogs, Bleader Apr 27, 2018
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Kanye versus Obama: It's easier being a celebrity than a politician
Remember Obamacare, Kanye?
- Music, Music Feature Feb 28, 2018
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Towkio is officially Chicago’s highest rapper
The Save Money MC’s balloon trip to the stratosphere wasn’t just to promote his first album for Rick Rubin—it’s also about inspiration, perspective, and togetherness.
- Blogs, Bleader Jan 22, 2018
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From the archive: The Chicago preacher and gospel musician who ran a pyramid scheme
Pastor T.L. Barrett is beloved by music fanatics and rappers eager to sample throwback gospel; he also defrauded thousands, as the Reader reported in 1989.
- Blogs, Bleader Jan 22, 2018
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O'Hare serial stowaway sneaks past TSA and flies to London, and other Chicago news
Also, the history behind the name of Kim and Kanye's new daughter, Chicago West.
- Blogs, Bleader Nov 6, 2017
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Kanye West returns to Chicago, makes first live appearance in nearly a year, and other news
Also, the Chicago Police Department discredits terrorism plot rumors.
- Arts & Culture, Art Review Jun 14, 2017
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Who’s the octopus in Takashi Murakami’s ‘The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg’?
A new exhibit of the Japanese artist’s work at the Museum of Contemporary Art is a dizzying depiction of the current cultural moment.
- Blogs, Bleader May 11, 2017
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Chicago rap hero Bump J passes the torch to Ty Money
Ty Money's new Cinco de Money 3 features the first appearance by Bump J since his release from prison last month.
