The ReUp w/ Malik Alim

Angela Davis Fegan is a self-described race traitor, emotional terrorist, printmaker, and painter. We talked about her existence as a fair-skinned woman of African descent, the Lavender Menace poster project, humanism vs. consumerism in art, and much more. She's funny af and one of the smartest people I know, so follow her on IG @davistint and check out her website angeladavisfegan.com. Escuchen! Recorded 3/15/2019 at Blue Market Studios in Chicago.

Rafael Soto is a self-taught guitarist, bassist, drummer, and singer. He was also my roommate in college, which makes him someone I've known for almost 10 years. We met up at his home studio and talked about growing up undocumented in the US, teaching yourself, who he thinks should be the next president, and more. Check out his band (Holly,) on Spotify, follow them on IG @holly.band, and check out Rafe's solo work @zapatabeats. Escuchen! Recorded 02/28/2019 at Blue Market Studios in...

Nina Iliza is a Rwandan native and the founder of an organization called Heart of a Thousand Hills based in her home country. We chopped it up about her experiences growing up African af in the Midwest, the differences and similarities between the US and Rwandan education systems, navigating the world of non-profits, and more. Follow @HeartOfTheHills on IG and visit heartofathousandhills.org and give her your money! Escuchen! Recorded 02/07/2019 at A. Sidney Katz Studio in Chicago. Music:...

My friend Cherisse Jackson is a chef, mother, organizer, and all around real ass individual. She joined my homie Camille (@odywkm) and I in studio and we talked about her journey to Chicago from Texas, her experiences working in Chicago's restaurant kitchens, and why food matters in the context of social movements. She also runs a catering company called Breakfast at Evonnes. Follow her on IG @kwamenaquamina and @breakfastatevonnes. Escuchen! Recorded 01/31/2019 at A. Sidney Katz Studio...

Liz Gomez is a visual artist, singer, dancer, and all around dope individual from San Antonio. We talked about her project called the Divine Gratitude Portrait Movement, how identity informs creativity, and healing others through art and intimacy. Visit her website liz-gomez.com, check out the project at divinegratitudemovement.com, and follow her @liz_go_gomez on IG. Escuchen! Recorded 01/24/2019 at A. Sidney Katz studio in Chicago. Music: Bruce Banner x Mick Jenkins, Broke +- x Jay...

On this episode, my brothers Ish and Troy joined me in studio to reflect on a range of topics, including the evolution of the music and film industries, shitty vacations, and 'PC' culture. We also debated the best music streaming service, whether or not animated movies are better today, and floated ideas about artist collaboration and management. Follow them @csysivebilal & @waythefarer on IG. Escuchen! Recorded 01/10/2019 at A. Sidney Katz studio in Chicago. Music - Beautiful Smile x...

Rey Colón is a former Alderman and current Director fo the Walt Disney Home in Chicago. We had a quick conversation about Chicago politics, the upcoming elections in February, and his experiences in leadership. Escuchen! Recorded at A. Sidney Katz studio in Chicago on 12/13/2018.

Resita Cox is a poet, journalist, and producer with a passion for unorthodox storytelling. We talked about her background as a news reporter, the importance of independent journalism (shoutout to Digifé and City Bureau!), and the restorative justice/creativity hub called trap house chicago. Follow her on IG @poetresitacox and Twitter @ResitaCox and watch her short doc "98 Percent" on Vimeo. Recorded at A. Sidney Katz studio in Chicago on 12/13/2018.

Alaxandria Foreman and Mariah Sutton want to revitalize communities that look and feel like the ones they grew up in on the Southside, while protecting and contributing to the culture. They came to the studio to talk to me about their project Hands of Honey, a marketing platform and financial intermediary for minority owned business. We got into elitism, sustaining Black communities, what it means to be a criminal, y mas. Follow @handsofhoney on all platforms! 9:15 - revitalization vs...

Manasseh is a brilliant singer, voice coach, and vocal arranger. He joined me in studio with his friend and multi-instrumentalist Charles Ramsey III and got into dealing with trauma, putting together a good team, and training yourself to notice divine signs. Follow him @yomanasseh and look out for his album Monochromatic Dream this fall! 10:00 - human connection 23:00 - cultivating our gifts 30:10 - sadness 37:00 - album preview Recorded at A. Sidney Katz studio in Chicago on...

Ep. 20 - Smart Mouf x Da Soul w/ Ace Da Vinci, L11, B'Rael Ali & Iszy by Malik Alim

Poet, performer, actor, author (etc) E’mon Lauren joined me for a quick convo about page vs. stage poetry, what’s in a name, and dying. Go cop her book “Commando”, which examines intersections of womanism and the hood, on Amazon. She is a mesmerizing performer so follow her @laurenlikepolo for dates y mas! 2:15 - cinephile tings 10:40 - CHASTITY BELTS 16:40 - the art of performance 21:10 - death Recorded at A Sidney Katz studio on 6/14/2018 in Chicago.

Melissa DuPrey wears many hats, including producer, comedian, and actress. She joined Kristiana Rae Colón and I in studio to discuss the displacement of Puerto Ricans in Chicago, making spaces for Black and Brown voices in theatre, and indigenous culture. Follow @boomboomduprey and go see Tilikum (written by Kristiana Rae Colón and featuring Melissa DuPrey) at Sideshow Theatre! 3:00 - Puerto Rican Chicago 15:30 - Sexomedy 21:00 - Desayuno 25:30 - Free Street & The Jeffs 43:40 - Brujaja...

London (aka l0l0beats) is a musician and producer and a good friend of mine since we both came to Chicago damn near ten years ago. London also met Martian Peace Child around that time and they started making music together. We talked about life as starving artists and learning from your friends and dropped bars. Para la cultura. Follow @l0l0beats @martianpeacechild_ Recorded 4/26/2018 at A. Sidney Katz studio in Chicago. 2:15 - Pronouns 10:15 - The Chocolate Factory 25:35 - What Would...

Follow @adornamorphosis_by_ruby_pinto on Instagram and check out her work at etsy.com/shop/rubypinto. Also follow the dope work of the Free the People Artist Collective at freethepeoplecollective.org! Co-hosted by Kristiana Rae Colón. Recorded at A. Sidney Katz Studio on 3/1/2018. 3:15 - FTP Artists collective 13:02 - #byeAnita 21:28 - Zine Life 36:43 - Manufactured Desire 42:55 - Decolonization 104:10 - Healing

Mike Ware is a storyteller at heart and a film director and producer by trade. We talked about his upward trajectory after dropping out of film school, his Creative Cinema House called New Millennial, and the ins & outs of feature film production. I've known him for half my life and am incredibly proud of the work he's been doing, so follow him @mikedware and check out newmillennial.com. 5:08 - How to watch a film 19:00 - Film sets 30:50 - New Millennial 36:32 - Frustrated by r.lum.r 39:55 -...

Guy is a jewelry maker, mentor, poet, and intercontinental public servant. We talked about his journey from Central America to Uganda, Heart of a Thousand Hills (@heartofthehills), and the Bearded Dragon Collection (@beardeddragoncollection). FOLLOW THEM and support the movements! 3:30 - Heart of a Thousand Hills 12:00 - Culture Perspectives 20:30 - Missed Histories 29:15 - Rockheads Recorded at A. Sidney Katz Studio in Chicago on 01/18/18.

Fanni is an artist, illustrator, painter, and overall dope individual. We talked about the pressure to create as a graduate of art school, softening the portrayal of black women in media, and the simple beauty of people living life. You can purchase her art at justfanni.com and follow her @justfanni. Also check out @lrcchi and lrcchi.com. 5:00 - Art school 12:00 - The JustFanni style 29:10 - Gatekeeper by Jessie Reyez 35:15 - Inktober/Coloring books Recorded at A. Sidney Katz studio in...

Kristiana Rae Colón is a playwright, poet, actress, author, and activist from Chicago. There are infinitely more ways to describe her, but we'll leave it at that. We talked about her genesis as a creative, using art as a catalyst for action, and being a founding member of the #LetUsBreathe Collective. Kristiana is a phenomenal mind and heart. Make sure you follow her @kristiana_af. Her upcoming play 'Florissant & Canfield' premieres at UIC's theater school in April 2018. Also be on the...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Glenance and Miguel to talk about A G Thing and the Chicago Boricua Resistance, their respective organizations, as well as an event they are curating with the #LetUsBreathe Collective called Melanin Voices for Puerto Rico. This live lit event will feature poetry, music, and storytelling from unsung voices of Chicago and will also serve as a fundraiser for Hurricane Maria relief efforts. Go follow Glenance @innerg_is_me, check out her website...