Author Archives: UnRated Magazine

Chicago Blues Festival Preview Event

Bobby Dixon, son of legendary bluesman Willie Dixon, performed at Daley Plaza on Monday, June 7th as part of a preview for the upcoming Chicago Blues Festival that begins June 11th in Grant Park.

Bobby Dixon, an accomplished musician in his own right, has performed with, to name a few, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, B.B. King and the Rolling Stones. Bobby will also be performing at this year’s Blues Festival.

This year’s Chicago Blues Festival will be held June 11-13 in Grant Park and will celebrate the life and music of Howlin’ Wolf on the centennial of his birthday with special performances and jam sessions.

 The internationally acclaimed and FREE admission festival is designed to celebrate and remember the blues tradition and heritage. The 3-day festival features five distinct stages that tell the story of the Blues using various Blues music styles.  Daily festival hours are 11am to 9:30pm.

26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival

The 26th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival was held June 5-6, 2010 in Millennium Park. The 2-day event, presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, featured dozens of performances on three stages by local artists that included Ricky Dillard and New G; as well as national artists Bryon Cage, Edwin Hawkins and Bishop Darrell McFadden & The Disciples.

Bryon Cage

Bishop Darrell McFadden & The Disciples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Dan Locke

Rapper Nelly in store appearance at Carson Pirie Scott

Carson Pirie Scott at North Riverside Mall
North Riverside, IL
June 5, 2010

Rapper Nelly paid a visit to Carson Pirie Scott at North Riverside Mall located just west of Chicago. Although Nelly ran about an hour late when he finally arrived the fans cheered to greet the rapper enthusiastically. Nelly met about 300 people who purchased the new Apple Bottom fragrance at a price of $80 and $100.

Nelly personalized bottles for fans who made purchases and took a photos. The rapper did not hold back and signed just about anything that fans asked.

 

 

 

Photo by Adam Bielawski

Little Brother at Double Door

North Carolina’s native sons Little Brother brought their southern charm to Midwest fans in May at Chicago’s Double Door.

This show was one of a few farewell performances as it was announced their latest CD, LeftBack, released in April, would be their last. A once solid, united trio consisting of emcees Big Pooh and Phonte and producer 9thWonder later became a duo as 9th departed after the group’s critically acclaimed cd, The Minstrel Show. Big Pooh and Phonte continued on and released cd’s Get Back and Justus For All as well as a few mixtapes.

The night began with local opening acts Neak, 1773 and Pugslee Atomz. DJ Itch 13 and host Awadazcate kept the show moving with comical and musical intermissions before and after each performance.

Arriving on stage, the duo was met with much fanfare but it was a somber celebration for true fans as the evening played out like the lyrics of latest single Curtain Call…. “This is it, the last monologue, Last act in the play, you can say the epilogue….. …Three became two but the party ain’t stop, Before the curtain close, before the music ends, Had the time of my life, let me thank you again.”

Their set include:  Lovin It, Watch Me, Say It Again, Hiding Place, Slow It Down, Nobody Like Me, Speed, Good Clothes, Dreams and The Way We Do It and new songs: After the Party, Curtain Call and Tigallo For Dollo.

They brought us The Chittlin Circuit, The Listening, The Minstrel Show and now they are bringing it to an end, but as Big Pooh says “You can always press rewind and relive it again”.

Rhymefest Album Release Party

The official album release party for El Che the latest CD from Grammy awarding winning hip hop artist, Rhymefest, will be held from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Thursday, June 3 at The Shrine, 2109 S. Wabash, Chicago. Admission is $2.00 at the door.

El Che is scheduled to be released on June 8th through the new independent label dN|Be Entertainment and will include 16 tracks with guest appearances from Little Brother, Saigon, Glen Lewis and Chicago emcee Twone Gabz. To coincide with the release of El Che, dN|Be Entertainment has launched an interactive website, ElCheTheMovement.com, where fans can connect with Rhymefest through the website’s blog, videos, mixtape downloads and social media (Facebook and Twitter).

Fans can pre-order a copy of El Che at www.dangerousnegro.com.

The Shrine Chicago Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Beginning Wednesday, June 2nd, The Shrine, located at 2109 South Wabash in Chicago, will welcome some of the most respected names in the music industry to celebrate its 1st Anniversary.  

DJ Premier will kick off the festivities on June 2nd and will offer a special salute to GURU of Gangstarr followed by Chicago’s own Rhymefest album release party for his latest CD, El Che on June 3rd and DJ Spinna will conclude the celebration on June 4th with Wonder-full, a tribute to Stevie Wonder.
 
Doors open at 9 p.m. for all performances. Pre-sale tickets are $10 and are available at clubtix.net/theshrine, $20 at the door.

The Shrine is a next generation nightclub in the emerging South Loop district of Chicago. Named after the renowned music venue founded by the late Fela Kuti, the legendary Nigerian musician/human rights activist who created the Afrobeat music movement, in under a year The Shrine has quickly established itself as Chicago’s new home for soulful music across an eclectic cross-section of genres.

The venue has showcased live concert performances by mainstream acts such as Common, The Roots, Lupe Fiasco and Ludacris as well as underground artists Pac Div, Platinum Pied Pipers and Roy Ayers. For more information on The Shrine, visit www.theshrinechcago.com

Special Screening of the Karate Kid

The Karate Kid Screening
May 26
AMC River East 21

Over 750 Chicago Public School 8th grade students along with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago and YMCA groups can out for a street festival and special screening of The Karate Kid, a remake of the 1984 film with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita.

The 2010 version includes Jaden Smith (son of Will and Jada Picket Smith) and Jackie Chan who attended the screening along with Will Smith, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and Chicago Bears players Isreal Idonijae and Richard Dent.

The film centers around  Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) and his struggle to fit after his recent move to China with his mother. With no friends and emerging bullies, Dre gets help from Kung Fu master Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). The film opens nationwide on June 11th.

 

Photos by Adam Bielawksi

Nas & Damian “Jr Gong ” Marley Distant Relatives

Distant Relatives
Nas and Damian Marley
Release: May 18, 2010
Label: Republic Universal Music

By Mozelle Ellis

I’m rarely left speechless concerning music. Amazingly this is one of those cases. Nas & Damian Marley had me just amazed at this miracle composition of tracks.

It is the blessing we have all been waiting on to arrive. Both, Nas and Marley, take us on a world wind trip from the Islands straight to Africa. It is heart beating, strong with pounding percussions and powerful accentuations of rhythms.  Distant Relatives is one of the most amazing collaborations and I’m sure it will be blessed as a classic.  This is the birth of a new sound and I see many Grammy’s from this strong production.

Distant Relatives is very evident that much heart, love, spirit, and knowledge of what the people really want to hear. In addition this definitely was not a rush job CD. Distant Relatives is filled with many thought provoking lyrics, mixing Reggae, Hip-Hop, and World Music (African). It’s not a CD packed with filler or lack of substance. You can push away from the table feeling very full with good vibes and wisdom. The blessing has arrived.

I love every track on Distant Relatives equally, but if I had to pick tracks that stand out with this one it’s not easy at all. The CD was released last night and I woke up to find email and comments on my Facebook from family and friends telling me what tracks they were really feeling. This was definitely a first for me. Nine hours after the release I’m getting emails.

Maxwell and Jill Scott Summer Tour

R&B superstars Maxwell and Jill Scott brought their summer tour to the United Center on May 25th. Maxwell performed songs from his latest CD “BLACKsummers’night”  while Scott sang some of her hits.

 

 

 

 

Photos by Dan Locke

Just Wright Chicago Premiere with Common

The AMC River East 21 welcomed rapper/actor Common for the Chicago Premiere of the his new movie Just Wright with a guest list of Chicago celebrities at the red carpet ceremony.

Celebrities at the premiere included: Chicago Bear players Otis Wilson, Earl Bennett, Israel Idonije, Jarron Gilbert, Matt Forte, and Matt Teaina; New Jersey Jets star Bobby Simmons and singer/songwriter Phoenix Phenom.

Photos by Adam Bielawski