[RH Photos] No Color at Insit Studios (6/21/2014)
Photos by Jessi Grant
This is the first in a series of two pieces by Contributing Writer Jessi Grant exploring No Color, a new campaign dedicated to creating a foundation of diversity and positivity within the Chicago arts and creative scene.
After a tiring night of waiting tables, I made my way to Bronzeville to cover No Color's pioneering event. Upon entering Insit Studios sometime after 11pm, I was greeted by the beats of DJ Al Cheeks and the poetic words of one of the event's attendees. The crowd stood close and attentive, some waiting eagerly to step up to the mic. I became quickly enchanted by the contagious energy of the room, leaving behind my post-work fatigue.
Established by long-time friends Vee Miyagi and Steven Reaves, No Color is a campaign with the ultimate goal to unite artists from diverse backgrounds to do positive work for the community while reducing racial tensions within the arts. In order to meet their ambitions, the campaign plans to maneuver throughout various communities of Chicago using all forms of art and creativity as its driving force. Miyagi decided to house their first event at Insit Studios after gaining the support of owner Koto and learning about the charitable work his establishment has done for the Bronzeville neighborhood.
Koto hosted the June 21 event alongside Frankie Robinson of Power 92.3. The event opened by engaging attendants in the filming of a TV pilot In The Loop, a production of Chicago's 2 Guys on the Reel. Shortly after, musical performers took to the mic including Ace League, Freaky Dray, and event organizers Vee Miyagi, Reggie Ruler, Illiad, and Steven Reaves (going by his stage name King Reaves). Featured Jamla Records artist Add-2 performed the longest set of the evening with drummer Donte Webb aka Tay Sticks. The performance portion of the evening also allowed time for an impromptu cypher led by artists in attendance.
After the performances, the space remained open for attendees to connect with one another and view the artwork adorning the walls. Osei Agyeman-Badu, a featured artist in the gallery space, conducted a live example of Pyrography, a practice in which the artist uses a small torch and other various instruments to burn wood in order to create portraits. Throughout the duration of the evening, Badu worked on a piece depicting Malcom X. Additional depictions of other leaders and well-known artists in the Black community, including Erykah Badu and Nelson Mandela, sparked admiration and discussion among No Color's guests.
Originally intending to exist in the event as a spectator, I ended up having several engaging conversations with both the event organizers and attendees. I felt part of both the space and community of artists and inspired minds within. From my own experiences and those I observed in my surroundings, it was clear that No Color succeeded in building a community based on honest, meaningful, and supportive connections. A portion of the event's proceeds will go to The Center for New Horizons, a non-profit organization assisting children, youth, and families in Bronzeville and Riverdale.
[RH Interview] Rapsody
Three years ago, while a junior in the Journalism school at the University of Iowa, I hooked my first artist interview for a small blog I had established for a class. The artist’s name was Rapsody, then a new signee to super-producer 9th Wonder’s then-new imprint, JAMLA. At the time, she was full submerged in 9th's "rap boot camp" as she described it then, spending endless hours in the studio honing her craft with notes from him and the rest of the JAMLA team, who earlier this week released the collaborative JAMLA Is The Squad.
Three years later, the foundation she built through those long hours of study and practice have molded her into one of the craftiest lyricists in hip-hop today. Where she was the student then, she is now looked to by younger artists for inspiration and guidance, something she never could have imagined back then. Six projects have spanned the time since I last sat down to talk to Rapsody and each one has shown a calculated growth in everything from her delivery to her cadence. In a world where artists can go from no one to the front of a magazine seemingly overnight, the North Carolina native is a bit of a throwback to a time when the art was more important than Youtube views and Twitter followers. I ran into her last month at a JAMLA event celebrating the addition of Chicago artist Add-2 and caught up over the phone recently to discuss the what the past few years have been like since we last sat down for a Q+A. Check out our full conversation below.
[Album] JAMLA: "JAMLA Is The Squad"
Years ago, while in college and attempting to make an initial name for myself in the writing game, I somehow found myself interviewing 9th Wonder from my tiny apartment bedroom in Iowa City, Iowa. Since then, 9th and his team, JAMLA, his record label/hip-hop team that has made a distinct effort to bring soul and knowledgeable lyricism back to hip-hop. Acting as a sort of sensei for the JAMLA family, 9th has been known to put new artists through what has been described as "hip-hop boot camp," helping rappers and signers work on writing while opening producers minds to new influences and ways of creating different sounds. Last night, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Khrysis, Halo, Terrence Martin and the new addition of Add-2 come together on JAMLA Is The Squad, a compilation project of tracks from the label. Joining the squad on the release are the likes of Pete Rock, BJ The Chicago Kid, Blu and Talib Kweli who help craft a boom-bap-ish sound that pays attention to what 9th calls the "twenty year loop" in music. Check out the latest from the sample genius and his band of talented artists, streaming here below and check back to RH tomorrow for more from the JAMLA team!
[Songs of The Day] 1/24/13 (Feat. G-Eazy, Kool Keith, Grizzly Bear, 9th Wonder and more)
For today's songs of the week we have a smattering of what's what around the Internet today. Kool Keith came out of a deep dark slumber to release the eclectic, "Strip Club Husband" which kind of plays out exactly as you'd expect it to. Chicago and North Carolina link up as BJ The Chicago Kid, Add-2 and 9th Wonder flex on Add's addition to JAMLA with "15 Minutes". Along with those, we have fellow Chicago native Nylo teaming up with G-Eazy and a remix of Grizzly Bear's "Will Calls" by Baths. Check it all out below and stay up to date with the latest release below.
Grizzly Bear "Will Calls" (Baths Remix)
Jamla "15 Minutes Of Fame" (Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid, Add-2, and 9th Wonder)
G-Eazy "Sleepless" (Feat. NYLO)
Kool Keith "Strip Club Husband"
[Video] Add-2 Interview with FUSE
Chicago's Add-2 and recent JAMLA-signee Add-2 slid through the FUSE offices earlier this week to sit down and talk about the whirlwind of an end to 2013 he had. Add chats about signing with 9th Wonder and what it was like working with the legend himself while crafting his latest mixtape, Between Heaven & Hell, with fellow JAMLA artist Khrysis. While touching on the different aspects of his latest project, Add gets into the inspiration for the title and songs on it like "The Ugly Side Of Beautiful", "Club Church" & "Death Of Chicago". Since 9th put him on the team, this has been one of the most exciting collaboration-signings I have seen in a long time, not to mention one that makes almost too much sense for all parties involved. Add worked hard last year to get where he is now, check out the interview below as he prepares to do it all over again in 2014.
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Top Chicago Rappers of 2013
Chicago hip-hop has enjoyed a certain popularity increase over the past couple of years. Where 2012 saw the rise of Chief Keef and "Drill", 2013 brought about a new flavor as listeners from across the country, initially hooked by the drill sound, began to explore the vibrantly eclectic different sides of the city and variety of sounds that make up what is the flourishing Chicago scene today. With seemingly everyone's eyes on the Midwest and so many talented artist rising from the area, we decided to compile a list of the top hip-hop artists from Chicago that had the biggest years in 2013. We based our decisions off of releases, co-signs, shows/tours and general influence throughout to put together who we thought had the best top to bottom 12 month cycles since this time last year. You may not agree with all of our decisions, so let us know in the comments. Without further ado, I give you the Chicago's hip-hop artists that elevated their game the most in 2013.
[Video] Add-2 Toca Tuesday Freestyle
Chicago's own Add-2 has been consistently adding to the great year he's had already and the other day continued to do so, stopping by Shade45 to spit a freestyle on Toca Tuesdays. Riding over a beat set down by Tony Touch, the witty lyricist mashed together a healthy helping of rhyme scheme and wordplay to prove why he got a look from legendary producer 9th Wonder, who signed Add to his JAMLA imprint back in October. It's been exciting to see Add get his due, and to add another Midwest product to the larger hip-hop landscape. Check out the video of Add-2 going in streaming below and be sure to pick up his latest project, and his first as part of JAMLA, Between Heaven & Hell with Khrysis.
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[Mixtape] Add-2 & Khrysis: "Between Heaven & Hell"
If you've been following the site lately, you may have noticed my excitement at Add-2 being signed by 9th Wonder's JAMLA label. To me, it is a perfect ious MCs with one of the most legendary producers in hip-hop music today. Through JAMLA, 9th has established a group of artists and producers that work under his tutelage. Of those pupils is Khrysis, who Add linked up with for this celebratory mixtape project, Between Heaven and Hell. What ensues is a soulful prelude to what will certainly come from the collaboration of JAMLA's newest signee. Check out the full team tonight at The Shrine, where Add-2, Khrysis, RapSody and 9th Wonder will all be in attendance to celebrate their new member. Info here.
fit of sorts that brings together one of the Midwest's most capable and lyrically consc