Hip-hop takes over Chicago in The Breaks
In recent years the Chicago’s hip-hop scene has grown global with the popularity of rappers like Kanye West, Chief Keef and Chance The Rapper. This weekend hip-hop comes to the city with a varsity roster of hip-hop heavyweights. These massive original kings in the hip-hop community take over Chicago for The Breaks.
Hosted in the largest venue in the city at Solider Field, it will host some of the best names to ever pick up the mic. Hip-hop legends Tech N9ne, Method Man & Redman are set to headline from By A Thread’s Vol. 1 The Breaks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNRdr1w3rBs
Slaughterhouse’s Royce Da 5’9, Joe Budden, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz will bring their Shady Records aggression to The Breaks.
Harlem rapper and no stranger to controversies Cam’ron returns to Chicago. Activist and rapper Immortal Technique is also scheduled to bring his lyrically story driven raps to life at The Breaks.
Chicago’s own Crucial Conflict will bring members Coldhard, Wildstlye, Kilo and Never back together. Crucial Conflict aren’t the own hometown favorites. Belo Zero, N.A.R.D and AK from Do or Die will also add to the already impressive lineup.
Opening the night, the earlier spots are nothing to sleep on. Rittz, who just announced a new forthcoming album, is one of the openers who will guarantee earlier arrivals. YouTube and fast rapper Mac Lethal brings his fast flow to the main stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l75Z8wil_U
Underground Philadelphia group Jedi Mind Tricks will bring scratch expert DJ Kwestion, classic prouder Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and lyricist Vinnie Paz to The Breaks.
The Breaks has many hip-hop heads old and new excited to see these legends on the stage. This weekend it will be a throwback to a long catalog of classics. Tickets are still available for purchase here.
The Breaks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-p2HQ2esrQ
Vic Mensa's debut album The Autobiography available for Pre Order
Vic Mensa announced the release date and title of his debut album, The Autobiography. Releasing on July 28, Mensa’s highly anticipated debut will give the Chicago rapper his first major introduction into the music world. Pre Order The Autobiography here on Apple Music.
From his latest projects like the There’s A lot Going On EP. To his most recent work in what he calls a capsule of music in The Manuscript, this is a whole new Mensa.
Mensa has matured in front of our eyes and through his music over the years. Tacking heavy issues from the Laquan McDonald shooting, Flint water crisis, self-harm and drug addiction Mensa has stated The Autobiography will be his most personal yet.
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/885298384080261120
Mensa took to Twitter to announce The Autobiography to fans. Using screenshots of different locations. Mensa had fans post a photo of themselves for a chance to listen to his album.
https://twitter.com/VicMensa/status/884811399179886592
Hearing Mensa’s dark and serious tone packed with gut punching lyrics in There’s A lot Going On and The Manuscript, July 28 can’t come soon enough.
If you haven’t already check out Mensa’s recent release of the music video for “OMG”.“OMG” was a Tidal exclusive, now streaming everywhere you can check out Mensa’s release from The Manuscript.
The Pharrell produced track features Pusha T and has guest appearances from Pusha T, Ethan Cutkosky, Joey Purp and Towkio.
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Check out these 5 Chicago artists at Lollapalooza. Whitney, Noname, Kweku Collins, The O'My's and Chance The Rapper
Let’s dive into the incredible lineup at this year’s Lollapalooza. Chicago artists came to represent at one of the largest music festivals in the world. The talent to tough but their Chicago breed artist standout in a big way. Below let’s visit five artists that call Chicago their home that you absolutely can’t miss at this year’s Lollapalooza!
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Whitney
Indie-rock band Whitney will represent the Chicago indie scene well. The young band will have the perfect match of blended tunes and heart wrenching lyrics. Their debut album Light Upon the Lake is one of the best pieces of work coming out from Chicago in the past few years. Seeing them rock the stage at Lollapalooza will be a great experience for the young band. It definitely won’t be the last time on the Lollapalooza stage.
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Noname
After an incredible year of appearances at Saturday Night Live, Bronzeville native Noname will be making her Lollapalooza debut. The spoken word artist made the past year her own with her soulful and honest approach to storytelling that we hear in her latest protect, Telefone.
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Kweku Collins
Closed Sessions rapper Kweku Collins will bring his poetry and melodic rap sound to life at Lollapalooza. Making his Lollapalooza debut, the Evanston (close enough) native will represent the young label well. He will be rubbing shoulders with some heavyweight rapper while making a bold appearance at Lollapalooza in his own right.
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The O’ My’s
Rock meets soul back again when the O’ My’s return at Lollapalooza. Showing early support in their career to the likes of Chance The Rapper, the O’ My’s will receive a long overdue warm welcome. Seeing Maceo Haymes taking the stage with Nick Hennessey, Boyang Matsapola, Baron Golden, Erick Mateo will bring the longtime Chicago favorites to new heights. If you haven’t already do yourself a favor and check out their EP, Keeping The Faith.
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Chance The Rapper
This one goes without saying. If you’re from Chicago, you have to come through and support Chicago’s biggest name in the business. Chance The Rapper just a few short years ago performed at the smaller BMI stage. This year, Chance The Rapper will headline August 5 on the main stage expecting his biggest crowd to date.
After a number of incredible accolades for the young 24-year-old artist, Chance The Rapper will bring it all home at Lollapalooza. After his three well deserved Grammy wins, donating over 1 million dollars to the Chicago Public School District and widely praised third released mixtape Coloring Book, Chance’s set will be one to remember for years to come.
4-Day Passes and single day passes are currently sold-out, VIP passes are now at Lollapalooza.com.
Lollapalooza 2017: Chance The Rapper, Arcade Fire, Muse and The Killers to headline Lolla 2017
Lollapalooza 2017 just released it's lineup and it's incredible! Chicago’s biggest music festival returns to Grant Park August 3 – 6, returning as a four-day spectacle.
Four day GA passes went on sale and to no surprise to anyone, sold out a few short hours after release.
Single day tickets are now available but be sure to snag those up as they too will sell out almost immediately.
Headliners Muse, The Killers, Chance The Rapper and Arcade Fire, respectfully all close out the 26th annual Lollapalooza.
Other notable heavyweights include" Lorde, Wiz Khalifa, Run The Jewels, Big Sean, Zeds Dead, Blink -182, Porter Robinson, and Cage the Elephant.
We need some time to digest the return of one of the biggest music festivals. Be sure to check out for an in-depth take on this year’s lineup. We’ll see where it stacks up against previous years.
Single day tickets are available here.
Lollapalooza 2017 lineup
React Presents announces Mamby Plunge
Chicago based promotion company React Presents is taking an extra step in helping to reduce Chicago crime.
React Presents this week announced their “React To Violence” campaign. React is the company behind mega-festivals Spring Awakening, North Coast, Summer Set and also Mamby on the Beach.
The “React To Violence” is the company’s campaign to improve Chicago. In a statement along with the campaign React stated, “After a record setting year of violence in Chicago, it has been nearly impossible to ignore the struggle within our beloved Windy City. That’s why React Presents is launching a “React to Violence” campaign in an effort to improve our city and ultimately, the world around us.”
React Resents and Mamby On The Beach have teamed up for a winter campaign fundraiser, the “Mamby Plunge”.
The campaign has pledged to give all proceeds from Mamby Plunge to the nonprofit origination Bright Star Community Outreach. Staff members have also pleaded to take a plunge into Lake Michigan, if $10,000 or more is donated. The deadline for the $10,000 goal is by Saturday, March 11.
Mamby staff members Martin Godinez (Marketing Manager/Talent Buyer), Alan Brant (Social Media Manager), Zach Partin (Talent Buyer), Pat Grumley (Marketing Director), Dom Brown (Festival Marketing/Experiential), Ashley Egly (Festival Director) and Yolie Carrera (Yoga Instructor) have all agreed to take the Mamby Plunge.
The Mamby Plunge will also be held at the same location of Mamby on the Beach, at Oakwood Beach. The plunge into the lake will be on Saturday, March 11 at 2 p.m. The Mamby Plunge is open to the public.
The plunge will be able to watch on Mamby On The Beach’s Facebook page here.
Those who donate will also be entered into a raffle for VIP passes to this year's Mamby On The Beach.
You can donate to the Mamby Plunge here!
Spring Awakening 2017 lineup: Phase one
Chicago's biggest electronic music festival returns to it’s new location at the Addams/Medill park. React Presents just released it’s first phrase of it’s massively stacked lineup.
The sixth annual festival will be host over 80 artists from Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11. Along with the lineup we already see which artists are performing at certain stages.
The phase one lineup includes returning favors with some local talent coming back home. For it to be just phase one, Spring Awakening surely has more surprises in store for when phase two is announced. React Presents along with the lineup announced this year’s six branded stages.
Festival fans will get to experience uniquely tailored lineups for each stage. Returning favorites like the Trance Area and Bass Kitchen stage with host a lineup of artists of grit and grime.
New themed stages we haven’t witnessed at Spring Awakening will be Sunday School, ANJUNADEEP, and music publication’s Dancing Astronaut. The two main stages are already announced to have some of the biggest names in electronic music today.
The Solstice stage with host artists from Afrojack, Alesso, Diplo, and Martin Garrix. While the Equinox stage with host Chicago’s own Louis The Child, Krewella, along with Die Antwood and others.
Check out the full lineup below. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Spring Awakening 2017 - Phase 1 Lineup (In Alphabetical Order)
- Afrojack
- Alesso
- Armin van Buuren
- Axwell ^ Ingrosso
- Datisk
- Die Antwoord
- Diplo
- Duke Dumont
- Excision
- Galantis
- GRiZ
- Jauz
- Krewella
- Louis The Child
- Marshmello
- Martin Garrix
- Yellow Claw
- ZHU
Photos: House of Vans opens Chicago location
Vans, a brand that prides itself in music, and street culture, opened it’s door for it’s House of Vans Chicago.
The opening night featured performances from Future Islands, Digable Planets, and Chicago’s own rising star, Noname.
House of Vans Chicago also showcased photography exhibits from photographers Jonathan Mehring, Ryan Kobane, and Ashley Osborn.
Opening night featured an immerse theme of Vans signature skating and alternative rock photography work from past Vans events. The intimacy between guests was well received from the huge warehouse store turned indoor skating park, store, and music venue.
Chicago’s Noname opened the night with a headlining caliber performance. The perfect setting setter, Noname’s “Telefone” had the House of Vans guests uplifted. The Chicago hip-hop rapper and poet, could have performed the whole night without any objection. Nomane kicking off her Telefone Tour, already sold out every single stop across the U.S.
Alternative hip-hop trio Digable Planets, brought their bold Brooklyn flow to Chicago’s west side. The trip has been around for some time, the trio put no time to waste put on a rhythmic race of funky beats and spell bounding lyrics. True experts Digable Planets, made sure the House Of Vans Chicago got their dose of a old school hip-hop. Preforming classics like “Where I’m From” and “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) House of Vans Chicago were given a throwback of 90’s hip-hop treat.
House of Vans Chicago ended the night with Baltimore band Future Islands. A true showman, front man Samuel T. Herring had the crowd in a frenzy with his intense performance.
Future Islands previewed tracks from their new album “The Far Field”, the heavy spirt or prowling and growling of Herring made Future Islands performance not one to miss.
House of Vans Chicago has stated they will be free and open to the public.
Noname | Digable Planets | Future Island
Photos: Léon makes impressive Chicago debut
Swedish singer Léon made her Chicago debut selling out Lakeview’s Schuba’s Tavern on her 20 city stop tour.
On her first North American Tour, with special guest Jacob Banks, Léon shined in Chicago with a very impressive city debut.