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Located: Chicago, IL

 

Label: Independent

 

Similar To: Wu-Tang, TDE

 

Performing Members: Mother Nature, JEFF K%NZ, Gr8Sky, Heavy Crownz, $imba P, DJ Cymba

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BIO: TheGr8Thinkaz is a lifestyle brand and multimedia collective of emcees, entrepreneurs, and educators. Rooted in HipHop, the collective produces unique content, commodities and experiences that entertain, teach, and heal. They bring a nostalgiA, COMMUNITY, AND high energy to every stage they hit. TheGr8Thinkaz currently have home bases in Chicago, Houston and Champaign, where they raise collective consciousness by committing to a holistic lifestyle of self-mastery through music, art, design, education, and culture. TheGr8Thinkaz have independently toured nationally & performed as additional support opening for Devin the Dude, Killer Mike, and Curren$y.

Located: Houston, TX & Chicago, IL

 

Label: Closed Sessions

 

Similar To: Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Rapsody, Missy Elliot, & Kendrick Lamar​

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BIO: Mother Nature is the women-led duo of HipHop emcees devoted to building a legacy founded on defiance and self-discovery. Best described as “fresh nostalgia,” the Chicago and Houston-based duo is the answer for listeners seeking both substance and simplicity. As educators, they have mastered the ability to deliver weighty content through uplifting barz that pierce the conscience. Mother Nature has independently toured nationally and internationally, and supported acts such as Rico Nasty, Princess Nokia, Doja Cat, Ty Dolla $ign, RAPSODY, KILLER MIKE, CURREN$Y, The Free Nationals + more. Their last mixtape "SZNZ" landed on a handful of 'Best Album' lists including Bandcamp and Complex and their work as educators with The Miseducation of HipHop was recognized by Grammy Awards.

Located: Chicago, IL

 

Label: Independent

 

Similar To: Larry June, Common, Gucci Mane

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BIO: Heavy Crownz is an artist, creative director, and community curator. Hailing from the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, he has one purpose for his music; to plant seeds of positive thought in the minds of his listeners. With a raspy voice, shifty effortless flow, and unique sense of style, Heavy’s sound is agricultural; forever promoting growth and the beauty in it. He tends to his own gardens by seamlessly integrating community service into Chicago HipHop culture. Heavy has embarked on three independent national tours, sold out his first Chicago headline show at the Promontory, and opened for multiple artists such as Killer Mike, Digable Planets, Curren$y, Premo Rice, MAVI, Channel Tres, and Mother Nature. He has also performed at multiple iconic venues and festivals such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, 80/35 Festival, Taste of Chicago, Taste of Randolph, Wicker Park Fest, TIP Fest, and From the Go Fest. He is a proud representative of DIRYTE EVERYDAY and TheGr8Thinkaz. Heavy Crownz designs merchandise via Grdn Supply and oversees the Peace Campus of the Imagine Englewood If… nonprofit organization.

Located: Chicago, IL

 

Label: Independent

 

Similar To: Ludacris, Kendrick Lamar, Ol' Dirty Bastard

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BIO: JEFF K%NZ is a Chicago-based emcee, painter, and visual artist. JEFF’s work is vibrant, loud and in your face; yet reflective and detailed; much like the famous artist who inspired his name. He lives by the motto, “We SHOULD all create,” encouraging his community to think Gr8, embody confidence, and use inner power to create the world around us. His music was described in These Days Magazine as "featuring rapid, Jekyll-and-Hyde-style flow switches, thoughtful bars.” Meanwhile, his artwork specializes in portraiture, because it allows him to connect with people and spend time with their faces, as a way to think about who they really are. JEFF has toured nationally with Mother Nature & TheGr8Thinkaz. JEFF headlined the Silver Room Block Party in 2023, as well as opened for acts such as Mick Jenkins and Slum Village.

Located: Chicago, IL

 

Label: Independent

 

Similar To: Wiz Khalifa, Travi$ Scott, 6lack, Bryson Tiller

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BIO: $imba P is a a Chicago-based and Champaign-native artist, actor, and educator. His music highlights the evolution of individualism and freedom of expression, reflecting the internal battle of self, while using melodic flows to reveal his vulnerability. $imba has debuted on multiple drama series such as Paper Girls, Empire, and FORCE - a spinoff of the series Power. $imba P captivates audiences across the country with the energy he shares performing live on stage and acting on our tv screens.

Located: Chicago, IL

 

Label: Independent

 

Similar To: Curren$y, Nas, Method Man, Ab-Soul

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BIO: Gr8Sky is a Chicago-based emcee and graphic designer. Sky's music style is grounding and playful, yet puzzling as he uses heavy word play to take us through portals and communicate through conscious lyricism. Sky has a very nostalgic style infused with cannabis culture that reminds us of OG HipHop and pure skiLl. Gr8Sky is also the founder of ‘Gr8Juice,’ an organic juice brand in the Chicagoland area. Through his brand, he advocates for natural healing while educating his community on the importance of nutrition and living holistically. Gr8Sky has toured nationally with Mother Nature & TheGr8Thinkaz and performed as additional support opening for Devin the Dude, Killer Mike, and Curren$y.

Located: Chicago, IL

 

Genres: Open Format, HipHop, R&B, House, Funk, Soul, Gospel, Trap

 

BIO: DJ Cymba is a Chicago-based DJ, host, and event curator, known for his ability to mix tracks of the nostalgic past and a fresh present. DJ Cymba selects sounds that take us through time via unexpected yet seamless blends of HipHop, RnB, Funk, Soul, Gospel, and Trap. Often combining b-side selections with current trending hits, Cymba creates a safe space for his audience to reflect on timeless gems and create new memories. DJ Cymba has toured independently and internationally with Mother Nature, TheGr8Thinkaz, Elton Aura, and LALA LALA, opened for acts like CupcakKe and Durand Bernarr, and performed sets at Wilson, Soho House, Virgin Hotels, and more. His signature event series “Cymba Sessionz” celebrates Black culture within the universal music-loving and record-digging community. DJ Cymba has blessed the stages of fests such as Bom Da Lot Fest, Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza, and SXSW.

Located: Chicago, IL

 

Genres: Open Format, HipHop, R&B, House, Funk, Soul, Gospel, Trap

 

BIO: Love Day is a multifaceted talent in the music industry, serving as both an innovative DJ and co-founder of 3V Agency. As a visionary that is deeply rooted in Black music and hip-hop culture, she seamlessly integrates her passions for entrepreneurship, live entertainment, and education. Known for her euphoric soundscapes that blend soulful edits across genres, Love Day has become a sought-after DJ for luxury and lifestyle events, catering to discerning tastemakers. Her performances have graced stages in LA, Houston, and New York, including an official artist spot at SXSW in Austin. Through her work at 3V Agency and behind the decks, Love Day continues to foster talent, push musical boundaries, and create immersive experiences that resonate with diverse audiences, embodying the power of passion and versatility in the modern music landscape. Love Day has opened for artists such as Mother Nature, King Marie, Sky Jetta, Mick Jenkins, and Goapele. 

Located: Chicago, IL

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Management: Lyrical Eyes Management 

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Similar To:: Joey Bada$$, Doechii

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BIO: Freddie Old Soul is a healer and emcee from the South Side of Chicago, embodying nostalgic renaissance and inspiring creativity through words of affirmation. As she moves and heals others with her words, she heals herself. Through her active role as a medicine woman, along with her dedication to speaking words that free her people, she is on an unstoppable road to restoring and aiding the community. Freddie has nationally toured with Heavy Crownz and opened up for artists such as Mother Nature, Sa-Roc, Devin the Dude, and Mick Jenkins.

Located: Chicago, IL

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Management: Independent

 

Similar To: Tyler the Creator, Lady of Rage

 

BIO: Jasmine A Barber, also known as the rapper J Bambii, is an artist, educator, tarot reader, and cartoon-lover from the Southside of Chicago. She is the founder and creator of The Brown Skin Lady Show and the community healing initiative called “Come Together”, as well as the co-founder of “The FiFi” a party created on the Southside, for the Southside. Jasmine has also released a tape called “RETROGRADE” under her alias. She is currently working on more community-building events and the release of her debut album "Black American Beauty." J Bambii has performed at festivals such as West Fest and AFROPUNK, sold out two headline shows in. Chicago, and opened for artists such as The Fly Honeys, Cupcakke, and Big Freedia. 

Located: Chicago, IL

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Management: Independent

 

Similar To:Bad Bunny, Kali Uchis, Omar Apollo, Rosalia, Rauw Alejandro, 070shake

 

BIO: Lester Rey’s ability to blend the contrasting cultures of the Windy City of Chicago and the tropical island of Puerto Rico are what define him as an artist. Lester Rey defines his catchy, eccentric, and honest sound as a new home for people who feel forgotten and displaced, and A proclamation to declare our existence and worth in a post colonial matrix. Recognized by Vocalo Studio 10 for best performance of the decade, NPR City Scenes top 5 Chicago Latinx Artists to Watch, NPR World Cafe Latin Roots best Alternative song of 2019, and nominated on the Chicago Reader for best international act 2024, Rey's message has been amplified with coverage by various outlets such as Remezcla, NTS Radio, Sounds & Colours, Latina Magazine, Wussy and many more. Lester Rey has shared the stage with Chuwi, Residente (Calle 13), Reyna Tropical, Cimafunk, Cachorra, Nino Augustine, Niña Dioz, Ric Wilson, Kaina, Victor Internet.

Located: Chicago, IL

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Management: Independent

 

Similar To: Purity Ring, Billie Eilish, Kaina, Ethel Cain, The Japanese House

 

BIO: Lilla Sol is a Chicago-based sister duo that creates genre blending music rooted in storytelling. For these sisters, music is a means of cathartic expression; a key to deeper understanding of both personal and shared experiences. Their sound explores sonic realms that include piano, synth, cello, guitar, and lush vocal harmonies. Sisters Eva and Arden B. were previously members of the indie-pop trio Moonrise Nation, touring the country to play festivals and venues such as SXSW, Electric Forest, Stubbs BBQ, 7th Street Entry, The Gramercy Theater, and Millenium Park. Lilla Sol was named best song of 2023 by esquire and has been featured in california and new york film festivals.