Gossip Wolf loves WBEZ’s Winter Block Party, an all-ages hip-hop fest copresented by Young Chicago Authors. This year it takes over Metro on Saturday, January 28, beginning at noon with a free celebration of hip-hop arts that includes a dance workshop, a DJ battle, and a graffiti wall. The ticketed concert at 7 PM ($10, $6 for students) is a doozy, with seven local female acts spanning generations; unimpeachable soul singer Jamila Woods headlines. Gossip Wolf is particularly keen to see vocalist Kaina, who’s fresh off the Sweet ASL EP (made with teenage duo the Burns Twins and producer Bedows), and underground collective Medicine Woman—its members include Drea Smith, Via Rosa, Jean Deaux, and Ravyn Lenae. Show up early to catch rising rapper Lin-Z. Hip-hop veteran Amina Norman-Hawkins (of Urbanized Music) hosts.
On Sunday, January 29, local avant-awesome label FPE Records (“For Practically Everyone”) celebrates five years with a motley cast of musical characters at the Empty Bottle. Poppy headliners Zigtebra, who’ll release a new video every month this year, dropped the first on New Year’s Day. Opening are Chicago rapper Fury and Saint Louis singer Syrhea Conway, aka Syna So Pro, whose warped and winning LP Vox the label released in December. v
