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Music, Music Feature Nov 27, 2019
Video
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.
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Music Feature, hip-hop, rap, Chicago hip-hop history, reissue, DaWreck, Triple Darkness, E.C. Illa, Live From the Ill, E.C. Illa Dissecting Live From the Ill, Big Herc Collections, Chicago Trax, Legendary Traxster, Kay-Tone, Dane Roewade, D 2 tha S, Funky Like This 94, Doomsday, It Don’t Stop, Common, TuneIn, Place in Sound, Anthony Valadez, chopper rapping, ghetto house, Chief Keef, drill, Wren Graves, Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book, Kanye West, LEP Bogus Boys, King Louie, GOOD Music, I Don't Like, Icy Palms, Cause 4 a Riot!, Wildstyle, Kevin Beacham, M.C Def Ski, Rap Tyrant, Rubberoom, Kevin Johnson, Fanum, Gothic Architecture, Nacrobats, Pugs Atomz, Closed Sessions, Ruby Hornet, Alex Fruchter, DJ RTC, Closed Sessions Vol. 1, Closed Sessions Vol. 2, vinyl, United Technique Studio, Lower Links, Rae Nimeh, Elastic Recordings, 3-2-1 Records, Architechnology, HHV, Boggie Cramb, Sterling Price, Offwhyte, Psalm One, Open Mike Eagle, Jugrnaut, Lyric District, Andre Vasquez, Optimus Prime, Infinito 2017, Culture Power45, A in the Square, A Love Supreme, Lava Lounge, Soundscape, Michael Kolar, Curren$y, Tony Baines, Bun B, Skyzoo, Fresh Academy, Kidz in the Hall, Mikkey Halsted, Fake Shore Drive, Dark Matter, Video

Music, Gossip Wolf Apr 23, 2019
The Maypole Folk Festival builds a big tent

Plus: The Goldstars lead a crowded tribute to R&B icon Andre Williams, Chicago producer Please inaugurates his new label with a Teklife EP, and more.
- By J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Maypole Folk Festival, Empty Bottle, Sam Amidon, Western Elstons, Girls of the Golden West, Rami Gabriel, Arabic Xhaman, Marydee Reynolds, Amalea Tshilds, Elyse Bergman, Andre Williams, tribute, Goldstars, Hideout, James Porter, Sally Timms, Mekins, Poi Dog Pondering, Dag Juhlin, Renaldo Domino, Bailey Dee, I Grow Chicago, Please, Issa Party, Catch Me, Nate Boylan, Boylan, Closed Sessions, Ruby Hornet, Closed Sessions Vol. 1, anniversary, vinyl

Music, Gossip Wolf Jan 22, 2019
Local punks Droids Blood add new variety to their dark, deranged hardcore

Plus: Chicago-bred rapper Open Mike Eagle makes a return visit with a fresh EP, and DJ Kool Hersh drops the expansive mix Attack of the Chicago Boogie.
- By J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Broken Prayer, Droids Blood, Scott Plant, Nick Donahue, Ceaușescu’s Dream, Unreality, Burlington, Riesgo, Sin Orden, Los Crudos, Primitive Teeth, Compressions, Open Mike Eagle, Pitchfork Music Festival, What Happens When I Try to Relax, Auto Reverse, Ruby Hornet, Digital Freshness, Closed Sessions, Fess Grandiose, Ness Heads, Star Creature Universal Vibrations, Kool Hersh, Attack of the Chicago Boogie, Boogie Munsters, Wild Prairie Vinyl & Vintage, Alex G, Night Moves, Jesse Sandwich, Tim Zawada, Shazam Bangles, Tone B. Nimble

Music, Gossip Wolf Oct 30, 2018
Video
Hip-hop site Ruby Hornet throws its first show in years

Plus: Local emo trio Mollow drop their debut on Worry Records, and Lumpen Radio teams up with Sonorama for a bumping Día de los Muertos party.
- By J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Ruby Hornet, Boathouse, Empty Bottle, Ajani Jones, Closed Sessions, Alex Fruchter, RTC, Jared Lanell, Lorde Fredd33, Worry Records, Rust Ring, Retirement Party, Regular Oatmeal, Mollow, Small, Subterranean, Calaveras y Palmeras, Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Lumpen Radio, Sonorama, Sonido Gallo Negro, Julian Donk, Peace & Rhythm, DJ Bongohead, DJ Garrincha, Tropical Diaspora Records, Marz Community Brewing, Sobremesa Supper Club, Video

Music, Music Feature Apr 13, 2016
Video
Kweku Collins celebrates a great freshman year at Closed Sessions

Raised on poetry and West African drumming, this thoughtful young Evanston rapper and producer just released his first album, Nat Love.
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Music Feature, Kweku Collins, Closed Sessions, Nat Love, Evanston Township High School, Alex Fruchter, Ruby Hornet, OddCouple, Boathouse, Jamila Woods, Andrew Barber, Fake Shore Drive, Ell Purp’s, Black Belief, Michael Kolar, Soundscape Studios, Say It Here While It’s Safe, Freshman Year, Ego Killed Romance, Death of a Salesman, Worlds Away, The Valley, Stephan Collins, Frances Collins, Memorial, hip-hop, rap, Video

Blogs, Bleader Dec 22, 2015
Video
Remembering DJ Timbuck2, a guiding force in Chicago hip-hop

A nightclub party starter, WGCI radio personality, and scene linchpin, DJ Timbuck2 died Saturday at age 34.
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Hip-Hop, Music, DJ Timbuck2, Timothy Jones, WGCI, Treated Crew, Mic Terror, Fake Shore Drive, Andrew Barber, the Twilite Tone, Ruby Hornet, Closed Sessions, Alex Fruchter, Twista, YP, Mano, Common, No I.D., WHPK, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, the Cool Kids, Bump J, Video

Blogs, Bleader Jul 12, 2013
Video
ShowYouSuck has the edge

The rising local rapper drops a new track about straight-edge, and one Reader writer reflects on his own relationship with the term and what it represents.
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Hip-Hop, Music, ShowYouSuck, Minor Threat, XXX (Straight Edge), One Man Pizza Party 4: Slice After Death, Mishka, Ruby Hornet, Netherfriends Does Nilsson, Netherfriends, Video

Best of Chicago, Goods & Services Jun 19, 2013
Critics' Picks
Best Place Where Music and Clothes Meet

Jugrnaut
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Goods & Services, Best of Chicago 2013, streetwear, clothes, hip-hop, Manny Rodriguez, rappers, pizza, ShowYouSuck, Leaders 1354, Saint Alfred, Fake Shore Drive, Ruby Hornet, Elevator, mixtapes, Alex Wiley, Chance the Rapper, Treated, Jugrnaut, Critics' Picks

Music, Music Feature Apr 23, 2013
Video
Chance the Rapper drops Acid Rap

The local MC's second mixtape is about to take him to some places he's only imagined.
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Music Feature, hip-hop, Hannibal Buress, release parties, Sulaiman, King Louie, Treated Crew, Chance the Rapper, schools, Taylor Bennett, Closed Sessions, Ruby Hornet, Alex Fruchter, In Rod We Lust, Roosevelt University, Lincoln Park, Rodney Kyles Jr., Blended Babies, Patrick Corcoran, Peter Cottontale, Caleb James, Vic Mensa, Nico Segal, Stefan Ponce, Oak Park River Forest High School, Advocate Illinois Medical Center, ThemPeople, L-Boogie, Chuck Inglish, Lili K., Fake Shore Drive, Red Bull Sound Select, SXSW, South by Southwest, ShowYouSuck, Cool Kids, Chancelor Bennett, Chief Keef, mixtapes, rap, Acid Rap, Andrew Barber, Save Money, Kids These Days, Lincoln Hall, Danny Brown, Childish Gambino, XXL, Pitchfork, videos, Austin Vesely, dance, humor, Chatham neighborhood, Ken Williams-Bennett, Kanye West, Chef Sean, rappers, Jones College Prep, YouMedia, Harold Washington Lirbrary, Young Chicago Authors, Lounder Than a Bomb, open mikes, YCA, Kevin Coval, Video

Blogs, Bleader Mar 6, 2013
Video
DJ and editor Alex Fruchter on leaving Ruby Hornet to focus on Closed Sessions

The man known as DJ RTC: "Curren$y, he sent me an e-mail, just three words: 'I'm with you.'"
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Hip-Hop, Music, Alex Fruchter, Ruby Hornet, Closed Sessions, hip-hop, rap, Decon, Fool's Gold, Alex Wiley, Cannibal Ox, Kickstarter, Club Wiley, Vic Mensa, ShowYouSuck, Sunday School 2, Tree, Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper, Digital Freshness, Roc Marciano, Curren$y, Raekwon, 2dopeboyz, Chuck Inglish, Soundscape Studios, Video

Blogs, Bleader Jul 23, 2012
Video
Closed Sessions opens up Chicago hip-hop

Local studio to release its third compilation
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Boom!, Music, Soundscape, Closed Sessions, Michael Kolar, Ruby Hornet, MTV 2, Sucker Free, hip-hop, L.E.P. Bogus Boys, Hollywood Holt, Million Dollar Mano, YP, Naledge, Sir Michael Rocks, Cool Kids, Raekwon, Ninjasonik, Action Bronson, Cyhi da Prince, Mic Terror, Freddie Gibbs, Mr. Muthafuckin' Exquire, Video

Music, Gossip Wolf Mar 8, 2012
Gossip Wolf: Julian Malone's mistaken dis track

Plus: The wayward Sam Zurick returns for an Owls reunion, and Baby Teeth drop their fourth LP
- By Jessica Hopper and Leor Galil
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Julian Malone, 2008ighties, Ruby Hornet, 2dopeboyz, Calez, Legit, Sam Zurick, Cap'n Jazz, David Foster Wallace, Tim Kinsella, Joan of Arc, Davey Von Bohlen, Baby Teeth, Abraham Levitan, Peter Andreadis, MC Steinomite, Detholz!

Music, Music Feature Jan 26, 2012
It takes the Village

With the help of his crew, Kembe X has gone from high school dropout to hashtag hip-hop hustler
- By Leor Galil
- Tags: Music Feature, Kembe X, Alex Wiley, South Holland, hip-hop, the Village, Big Ghost Fase, Doc Da Mindbenda, Sir Mickey Rocks, The Cool Kids, Rodney Kyles Jr., hashtag rap, Ruby Hornet, King Louie, Ambition Chicago

Blogs, Bleader Mar 24, 2011
This Week in Reader Music

High-concept hip-hop comps, puzzling singer-songwriters, Elephant 6 tours, hot gossip, and lots of recommended shows
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Crickets, Music, Chicago, Sharp Darts, Ruby Hornet, Jessica Hopper, Emily Lacy, Elephant 6, Lincoln Hall, Gossip Wolf, Pitchfork Music Festival, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Dawnbringer, Xray Eyeballs, the Robert Glasper Trio, Danielson

Music, Music Feature Mar 24, 2011
A Hornet’s Nest at South by Southwest

Chicago hip-hop blog Ruby Hornet filled an Austin mansion with rappers to make the new comp Closed Sessions: ATX.
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Music Feature, Ruby Hornet, South By Southwest, Closed Sessions: ATX, GLC, Rhymefest, Hollywood Holt, Naledge, Fashawn, Freddie Gibbs, Dilated Peoples, DJ Babu, Michael Kolar, Alex Frutcher, Andrew Barber, Fake Shore Drive, Curren$y, Chip the Ripper, Cyhi da Prince, Raekwon, Bun B, Paul Wall, Killer Mike, Lupe Fiasco, Mic Terror, Rakaa, Curt@!n$, Fonzworth Bentley, Yelawolf

Music, Gossip Wolf Mar 2, 2011
Gossip Wolf: The Scoop on Pitchfork Headliners

Superchunk, TV on the Radio among possibilities. Plus: Ruby Hornet gets into the record biz, Dawnbringer’s first show in 13 years, and more
- By Jessica Hopper and J.R. Nelson
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Pitchfork, Superchunk, Ruby Hornet, Alex Frutcher, Walter J. Liveharder, Tennille, Cool Kids, Sir Michael Rocks, Hollows, Chips for the Poor, Steve Ignorant, Crass!, TV on the Radio, Odd Future, Dismemberment Plan, Atmosphere, Queensryche, That Dog, Nachtmystium, Superchrist, High Spirits, Dawnbringer, Neon Marshmellow Fest, Netherfriends, Red Electric Rainbow, Diane Izzo, Califone, Marco Zas, Kleenex Girl Wonder, Joe Public

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Each of these reissues helps unfold a different chapter in the rich narrative of the Chicago scene.

Plus: The Goldstars lead a crowded tribute to R&B icon Andre Williams, Chicago producer Please inaugurates his new label with a Teklife EP, and more.

Plus: Chicago-bred rapper Open Mike Eagle makes a return visit with a fresh EP, and DJ Kool Hersh drops the expansive mix Attack of the Chicago Boogie.

Plus: Local emo trio Mollow drop their debut on Worry Records, and Lumpen Radio teams up with Sonorama for a bumping Día de los Muertos party.

Raised on poetry and West African drumming, this thoughtful young Evanston rapper and producer just released his first album, Nat Love.

A nightclub party starter, WGCI radio personality, and scene linchpin, DJ Timbuck2 died Saturday at age 34.

The rising local rapper drops a new track about straight-edge, and one Reader writer reflects on his own relationship with the term and what it represents.

Jugrnaut

The local MC's second mixtape is about to take him to some places he's only imagined.

The man known as DJ RTC: "Curren$y, he sent me an e-mail, just three words: 'I'm with you.'"

Local studio to release its third compilation

Plus: The wayward Sam Zurick returns for an Owls reunion, and Baby Teeth drop their fourth LP

With the help of his crew, Kembe X has gone from high school dropout to hashtag hip-hop hustler

High-concept hip-hop comps, puzzling singer-songwriters, Elephant 6 tours, hot gossip, and lots of recommended shows

Chicago hip-hop blog Ruby Hornet filled an Austin mansion with rappers to make the new comp Closed Sessions: ATX.

Superchunk, TV on the Radio among possibilities. Plus: Ruby Hornet gets into the record biz, Dawnbringer’s first show in 13 years, and more

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