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Published by Ben Moskow
Fresh off a 2021 Chicago Reader nomination for Best Music Podcast, Real Ones brings you carefully curated conversations with rising artists from the 312 and beyond. Host Ben Moskow moderates long-form talks with the musicians making noise in the underground who just might be household names in a few years. Brought to you by Project FILO. Logos by Zack Zagula.
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Entertaining Atlanta rapper Vayda recently stopped in Chicago while opening for Veeze on his "Ganger" tour. We caught up with her outside the venue to talk about her whirlwind 2023, that time when Doechii commented on one of her TikToks, the realest song she's ever made, paranoia and more. Click HERE to listen to Vayda's new album 'Forrest Gump' Keep Up with Real Ones Website | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube Keep Up with Vayda Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
We sat down with writer, A&R, photojournalist and activist Isiah Veney, aka Thought Poet. for an insightful conversation about the state of Chicago music, why he's stuck around in the city this long, learning to "positively take up space," his criteria for working with artists, and more. KEEP UP WITH THOUGHT POET: http://instagram.com/thoughtpoet77 https://twitter.com/thought_poet77 https://linktr.ee/ThoughtPoetsOpinion KEEP UP WITH REAL ONES: http://twitter.com/realonesshow http://instagram.com/realonesshow http://tiktok.com/@realonesshow Host/co-editor: Ben Moskow Guest host: Reina Danzy Guest: Thought Poet Producer/Videographer: Michael Magitman Audio mixed by Michael "Farley" McFarland Editor: Aidan Siavelis Special thanks to Second Street Studios Support the show
Ten days before she took off for sunny Los Angeles, we sat down with singer-songwriter Ebony Loren about her favorite memories of living in Chicago, being a voice major during online school, languages she wants to learn and more. KEEP UP WITH EBONY LOREN: https://twitter.com/ebonylorenmusic http://instagram.com/ebonyloren http://tiktok.com/@ebonylorenmusic KEEP UP WITH REAL ONES: http://twitter.com/realonesshow http://instagram.com/realonesshow http://tiktok.com/@realonesshow Host/Editor: Ben Moskow Guest: Ebony Loren Producer/Videographer: Michael Magitman Special thanks to Roc Star Studios Support the show
Right before the release of his EP 'Hasta La Dorada' we caught up with LA-based, Chicago-raised Latin indie artist Danny Schiller to chat about how the project came together, his past as a soccer player, who he would most want to tour with, his philosophy when it comes to making music and much more. KEEP UP WITH DANNY: TWITTER | INSTA | TIKTOK KEEP UP WITH REAL ONES: TWITTER | INSTA | TIKTOK Host: Ben Moskow Guest: Danny Schiller Producer: Michael Magitman Audio editor: Michael "Farley" McFarland Video editor: Faye Siavelis Special thanks to Second Street Studios Support the show
Rising pop-punk musician SAIAH joins Ben on Season 2, Episode 10 of Real Ones, recorded right before the release of their single "radio.fm." Topics include how they were first drawn to punk rock music, recording "Cheater" with Tom The Mail Man, touring with RIZ LA VIE & Guardin, getting booked for their first festival opening for Beach Fossils, preparing to move to Los Angeles and much more. Support SAIAH INSTAGRAM: | TWITTER : Support Real Ones LINKTREE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | TIKTOK Support the show
This convo with Juwan Elcock of BLK ODYSSY happened back in January. He's since opened for Cordae on a US tour, dropped the deluxe version of debut album BLK VINTAGE featuring Baby Rose, Mereba & Benny the Butcher, and announced his first-ever headlining tour. Things are going up. Keep up with the latest BLK ODYSSY news here / the BLK REVOLUTION TOUR COMES TO CHICAGO AUGUST 27 at SLEEPING VILLAGE. TIX here / AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE FIRST EVER REAL ONES CURATED SHOW AUGUST 20. LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM Your Stepdad, Gayun Cannon, the Stranded Civilians, Morgan Gold and A.N.I. TIX here / Check out our Linktree to stay updated on all things Real Ones! Support the show
We get the chance to sit down with Your Stepdad about his strong month of April, how he's built buzz on TikTok, why every huge underground rapper is so young, and much more. Keep up with Stepdad: Instagram @deflynotdoowop TikTok @yoursteppops NEW PLAYLIST additions (courtesy of CXR's Collin Donovan): Kendrick Lamar - Mother I Sober Dende - Round Trip to Atlanta Noah - Revelations Kehlani - Little Story Mack Keane, ESTA - Never Enough SUPPORT: Obviously, the U.S. has a horrendous problem with gun violence and gun culture. And politicians on both sides of the aisle don't seem interested in doing anything about it. I've attached a Twitter thread here with GoFundMe information for as many of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting as I could find. I'm devastated that this has become accepted as normal in the US. We need structural change immediately.. To check out the Good Work we highlight each episode, check out this document : Creative consulting by Brandon Washington. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
Ben sits with Chicago's Nina Tech to talk about their latest single/video combo "Love Show," influences from the 80s, favorite places in Chicago, the foundations of drill and more! Keep up with Nina: Instagram @ninatechxx Twitter & TikTok @ninawthetech NEW PLAYLIST additions: Sports Boyfriend - Crying in July grouptherapy. - Pink Papers Groupthink - Guilty Pleasure Pink Siifu, Valee - Griptape'!! BoofPaxkMooky, GRIMM Doza, - You & Me SUPPORT: Chicago Show Cal is helping you make your Chicago concert plans EVERY WEEK and DAWA Heals is providing a financial safety net to low-income BIPOC Austin, TX residents. Donate and follow today! All details are visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document Creative consulting by Brandon Washington. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
In an interview conducted last December, Ben chats with Chicago-area musician Worry Club about why he prefers working on music alone. how a ridiculous TikTok idea almost turned into a record deal and more. Since our convo, the Club has collaborated with lead singer Chase Walsh's favorite band The Maine, went to SXSW as an official artist and played a show in Norman, Oklahoma of all places. Follow Worry Club: IG, Twitter, TikTok @worryclub NEW PLAYLIST additions: Pass the Water - Raé Luna Lonestar - Monet Ngo GUCCI SLIDE - Turich Benjy blue lung - Justend, Joe Aste Kick Back - Lo Artiz SUPPORT: Make sure to catch Birria Ta-Ta-Tacos ' popup at Sleeping Village on Thursday, March 24. Also, Schuba's is throwing free shows with their "100% Off Series." See Cece Maravilla, Ebony Loren, and more for free on April 4. All details are visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document . Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Mixed by Dagz. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS Ben is joined by guest interviewer Brandon Washington to speak with prolific Chicago MC and creative femdot. about his biggest accomplishment, his first experiences rapping over 20 years ago, his love for J Dilla and more. Follow femdot: IG & Twitter @femdotdotcom Keep up with Delacreme Scholars: Twitter @DelaScholars, IG: @delacremescholars NEW PLAYLIST additions Omni ! - WILLIE Che Noir, 7xvethegenius, Armani Caesar - Ladies Brunch Cashus King - SKUNK! TheLoveofPpl - Rat Race Porsh Bet$ - Passenger SUPPORT: The LA Mission is working to end homelessness in the greater Los Angeles area. Brave Space Alliance is a Black, Trans-led LGBTQ+ organization located on Chicago's South Side committed to uplifting Black queer youth. All details are visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document . Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Mixed by Dagz. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS Ben interviews three of Chicago's most exciting young talents: Senite, an R&B singer and poet who's already been making waves in the city; KAI, a neo-soul rapper with his own poetry club; and Menace4Hire, a rapper, poet and fashion designer. The three became fast friends and all worked together on KAI's EP Steve's Demo. Listen to find out how they met, how KAI convinced Senite to record in his car, the meaning behind the name "Menace4Hire" and more. Follow Senite: IG @_senite, Twitter @seniteb Follow KAI: Twitter @city4KAi, IG: @kaicrewsade Follow Menace4Hire: IG @menace4hire NEW PLAYLIST additions courtesy of Jay Wood (@jaywoodsole): Kendrick Lamar - GOD ye, Dwele - Flashing Lights Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover Kid Cudi- Immortal 50 Cent - Heat SUPPORT: Kyra Horton just released her debut poetry album "The Silencer" which is available on all DSPs. Alejandro Hernandez (a.k.a. Dro in the Wind) now has a newsletter on Substack, where you can pay $7 a month to read quality long-form think pieces and other Chicago music musings. All details are visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document . Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Mixed & mastered by Dagz. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS Ben interviews Chattanooga rapper, YGTUT, where he explained how he knows Biggie Smalls' son, revealing more of his true self on his upcoming project, touring & working with Isaiah Rashad, and more. Follow YGTUT on Instagram @tuthouse & Twitter @YGTUT NEW PLAYLIST additions: Sunny Days - Sir Trevor James, Kira Janel MONOLITH - Masongo Ogora, woolmangrundy Location Scout - Stiggy James PLUS FLOW - BACKSEAT [S}MILES, Silky Southern Juice - Jiles SUPPORT: IMAN Central is doing free COVID testing at their South Side location and working on a nutrition education program for people with diabetes. Kai Poetry Club is bringing positive affirmations to the Instagram timeline and creating space for poetic storytelling. All details are visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document . S2 theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Mixed & mastered by Dagz. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS Chicago-based rapper, singer and producer Semiratruth stops by the studio to discuss the meanings behind a few tracks on their most recent project I Got Bandz For the Moonlandin' , how New York has helped shape their sound, the shortcomings of streaming services and more. Follow Semira on Instagram and Twitter: @semiratruth NEW PLAYLIST additions courtesy of Reina Danzy of From Chicago to the World Get 'Em High - Ye, Common, Talib Kweli Steamer - Brian Fresco, Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, KAMI, Towkio AIN'T GON' STOP ME - reggie, Monte Booker, Kenny Beats I Don't Want to Lose You - Phyllis Hyman MY GAWD! - Semiratruth SUPPORT: The Pilsen Art House, an invaluable venue for rising artists to perform and various other community events, will be reopening on January 29 with "Art and Edibles." Support Your Local Weed Man is fighting to include Black and Brown people, as well as formerly incarcerated Chicagoans, in the city's growing cannabis industry. All details are visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document . S2 theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS Rising Harlem-based musician and poet Mamadou. discusses the metaphors on his debut project To Stitch A Rose , his unique process for finding creative inspiration, who he's been listening to lately and more. Follow Mamadou. on Instagram and Twitter: @mamadouofficiall NEW PLAYLIST additions: SENSE OF URGENCY - 4200Kory Collar - Worry Club All Gas, No Brakes - WADE08 BOOSMOBIL - Timothy Bright "angel" - WASTEDJU, Blake Saint David SUPPORT: Coffee Hip Hop and Mental Health is a nonprofit org selling coffee & merch with the proceeds going to paying for Chicagoans to attend therapy and recently hosted a healing circle for teachers experiencing the CPS lockout. And the Chicago chapter of the New Era Young Lords are fundraising to purchase weighted blankets for Chicagoans experiencing homelessness. Venmo: @Paul-Mireles-7, cashapp: @Papom1. All details visible in our SEASON 2 GOOD WORK document. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
GET READY FOR SEASON 2 OF THE REAL ONES PODCAST. 12 EPISODES. 2 PER MONTH FROM JANUARY-JUNE 2022. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US FOR SEASON 1 Catch up on everything from S1 here at our Linktree. song: What I Want - Qari, greenSLLIME Support the show
SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS After our first interview was lost to a faulty hard drive, it was great to sit down again with rising Chicago rapper SONNY. We chat about how he capitalized off of the success of hit song ”KILL BILL,” his relationship to Chicago, how some of his recent music videos came together and more. Follow SONNY on Instagram and Twitter: @hatesonny NEW PLAYLIST additions: GHOST - Devin Burgess Indecisive (ft. Hadji Gaviota) - Ben Beal, Elijah Who HELLUTALMBOUT - Rizz Capolatti More Than Gold - LORD JAH-MONTE OGBON, Phiik Drawing - Silas Short SUPPORT: Local WOC-owned publication Braided Magazine is throwing a show to celebrate five years of the mag with live music, vendors, and live artwork. From Chicago to the World just started out and is one of the cooler music curation platforms to emerge in the city. More details are in our GOOD WORK document. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos & cover art: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO Support the show
Founder of The Ghetto Flower Michael Tayo stops by SoundSpace Studios to discuss the skills that helped him create TGF, how the platform has expanded since its inception in 2017, the branding strategy and more. SEASON 1 PLAYLIST additions: AFV - TC Superstar, Zero to 60 - Aaron Stephens, The Lesson - Mélat, GHOST RIDE - BLK ODYSSY, Black Girl Payday - Riders Against the Storm SUPPORT: Austin Cinemaker Space is providing affordable studio time and ample resources to Austin creatives and Black Austin Musicians Collective uplifts the work of Black Austin musicians and helps them navigate the industry. More details are in our GOOD WORK document. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Logos: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO . Support the show
Chicago-area artist heartgaze stops by SoundSpace to discuss transitioning from making English songs to adding Spanish, how it felt to play the final show at the Aux, collaborating with Elijah Who and much more! SUPPORT: Jane's Due Process is helping Texans get access to birth control and abortions and Chicago-based travelling cypher group Voices of Prophecy needs to replace their stolen equipment! Cashapp VoP here & donate on venmo @VofP1. More details in our GOOD WORK document. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Cover art and episode artwork: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO . SEASON 1 PLAYLIST : Support the show
Chicago-area producer Evan Dawkins stops by the studio to chat about his latest single "By Your Side," rapping on stage with GoldLink at Lollapalooza, the importance of Discord and much more! Evan is also our guest playlist curator for this episode. Playlist selections are here CALLING ALL EMERGING ARTISTS: Get a show under your belt ASAP at the Lumber Studios Gallery series. Have an idea for a show bill? The Golden Dagger will help you put it on. Reach out to zoey@harmonicadunn.com to make it happen! Click here for good work and songs mentioned in this episode. Theme music by the man himself, Evan Dawkins. Cover art and episode artwork: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO . SEASON 1 PLAYLIST : SEASON 1 GOOD WORK : Support the show
Ben talks with hip-hop collective L.O.V.E Culture of Duval County, Florida over Zoom about the hometown homages of their most recent album 1827 N Pearl, the different sides of the Jacksonville music scene and how they complement each other in the collective. Che Forreign, the lone female MC of the group, was unable to attend. Make sure to send some money over to Forever Calcasieu and Imagine Water Works for Hurricane Ida disaster relief. Click here for causes and songs mentioned in this episode. Theme music by Evan Dawkins. Cover art and episode artwork: MC Blue Matter. Sponsored by Project FILO . SEASON 1 PLAYLIST : SEASON 1 GOOD WORK : Support the show
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