Nudia Hernandez

2 weeks ago | wbez.org | Nudia Hernandez |Mendy Kong

Sueños Music Festival is Chicago’s unofficial kickoff to summer, and while icons such as Shakira, Peso Pluma and Don Omar bring the heat on stage, fans turn Grant Park into a runway of fuego fits that steal the show. Now in its fourth year, Sueños arrived with perfect festival weather that included sunny skies and a breezy 61 degrees, ideal for any curated outfit.

2 weeks ago | wbez.org | Nudia Hernandez |Morgan Ciocca

Taylor Bennett’s new single “Get Loose” is a juke anthem with a goal of getting people up and dancing. Literally dancing: The independent rapper and owner of Tay Bennett Entertainment encourages his fans to record videos of themselves moving to the track, and he shares them. Bennett, the manager and younger brother of Chance the Rapper, is a big proponent of Chicago music and culture.

1 month ago | wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez

Chicago artist Dreamer Isioma has a penchant for cosmic themes. The Nigerian American musician, who uses they/he pronouns, often performs with a band called The Celestials and named their third solo album StarX Lover. The project, in the works for three years, finds Isioma in a brand new universe.

2 months ago | wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez

Bookclub co-founders Cam Stacey and K.O. Weakley didn’t plan on opening a venue. But a last-minute show cancellation made them realize the lack of easy access to small venues for local bands. “Our leap of faith was a tremendous one,” said Stacey, who with Weakley and co-owners Maren Rosenberg, Nick Heineman and Rupert Murray debuted Bookclub earlier this year in a Lake View space formerly belonging to Elbo Room. The new venue is a leap of legitimacy for a formerly underground operation.

Feb 20, 2025 | wbez.org | Morgan Ciocca |Nudia Hernandez

Los Angeles-based producer Brian “Killah B” Bates didn’t know his song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” would be the breakout hit from Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning country album Cowboy Carter. He was just honored to be included on the project, and he says he’s still processing it all. Before becoming a beatmaker-turned-producer, Bates and his brother lived with their grandparents in Chicago’s Morgan Park neighborhood. He grew up in drum and piano lessons, receiving classical training from the ages of 6 to 14.