Chicago’s Green Festival

Last week, Chicago hosted the Green Festival at Navy Pier. This two-day event featured some of America’s most progressive green thinkers such as Van Jones, Amy Goodman, and Naomi Davis – to name a few. The event featured 350 local and national businesses and organizations vetted by the Green Festival for either their organic, sustainability, or social justice practices.

Everything from food and body products, to compost toilets and consumer-ready solar panels was featured at the festival. Ford Motors even featured a new Focus made of organic materials such as corn husk, sweet potatoes, and wheat straw. My personal favorites were all the organic wine and beer but they were nothing compared to the Community Action Area where I met artist and musician Dan Bellini with Occupy Chicago.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Ife

[VIDEO] Chicago’s Son: Doc Franchise Speaks

Doc Franchise has been making music for Chicago hip-hop artists for a few years now. Always an individual, this self-proclaimed “nerd” drops his new EP this month. His music is eclectic, classic, and futuristic all at the same time. Watch this exclusive interview with his message on education, style, and hip-hop after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Ife

[INTERVIEW] Malik Yusef on Politics and Hip-Hop

Artist, poet, writer, musician, MC, rapper, and Chicago native, Malik Yusef is no stranger to success. This year, he won a Grammy with Kanye for the writing of “All of the Lights,” but this poet didn’t always have it so good.

Malik dropped out of high school because he had difficulty writing and speaking aloud in class.

“I used to crack a lot of jokes, distract the class, and get sent out all so I didn’t have to read out loud,” he said.

After dropping out of school, Malik decided to educate himself by spending a lot of time in the library. He started to write poetry about growing up on Chicago’s South Side as a coping mechanism.

“I had to learn ways to deal with people,” Malik said. “[young people should] figure out how to learn. They need to understand environmental literacy, and use context clues to inform themselves.”

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Ife

Chicago Artist Blaise B. performs during SXSW

Hip-hop artist Blaise B. is known in the underground Chicago scene for his eclectic instrumentals and thought-provoking lyrics. Having worked with countless independent and mainstream artists, Blaise B. prepares to bring a little Midwest flavor to Texas. Check out this exclusive interview and original music from the Chicago native!

Blaise B. @ SXSW
… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Ife

#NewMusic: BJ The Chicago Kid “East Side High 2012 & Forever”

BJTCK, one of the many artists that are scheduled to be present at SXSW (click link for show details), has just released an album called Pineapple Now & Laters, some of which we’ve posted last week. The second song on the album is a cover of East Side High’s Alma Mater from “Lean on Me.”

I have never heard a rendition this smooth.

The Original- Written By: Catherine Peragallo Miller

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes