The JAAM

We we're called upon to do a live show at the Chicago Teachers Union Delegate Conference AND WE DELIVERED! With May right around the corner, we facilitated a conversation around getting the youth involved into politics and strategizing for May Day 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AIPAC, Crypto, and other billionaire companies have infiltrated the Illinois Primary Election. Money and greed caused this unforced error. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we sat down with the deeply loved Chicago influencer, poet, and community organizer, Chima “Naira Bills” Ikoro! In a powerful conversation, we took a deep dive into her life journey, exploring the experiences, challenges, and defining moments that shaped her into the impactful voice and leader she is today. Connect with Naira Bills!————————————- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naira.bills?igsh=MTR4bWt2eXdibDlsMw== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nairabills?_r=1&_t=ZP-94f5EyEj0k3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH! We sat down with the Award-winning activist and storyteller Anya Dillard! Aya explains that her journey into activism started at a very young age, though not initially through politics. At five years old, she accompanied her mother to work at a hospital and met children living in a pediatric nursing facility with disabilities. That experience deeply impacted her and sparked a desire to help. Connect with Anya Dillard!—————————————Personal IG:https://www.instagram.com/iamajdillard?igsh=ZGNhdDd1aTd4azh6Youth Org.:https://www.instagram.com/thenextgencu?igsh=eTN5aWNxZnhheDdwProduction Company:https://www.instagram.com/jenevesque?igsh=dW9lMTc5d3l3dDNl Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sub to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thejaampodcastThis episode features a scholar, educator, content creator, NAACP Image Award nominee whose work centers education as liberation, our homie The Conscious Lee!! This conversation connects lived experience to systemic critique in real time.Connect with Conscious Lee!------------------------------------------VOTE FOR LEE!https://naacpeoty.judge.live/categories/6fb0bef7-bed3-451d-ac84-08de4c8933d8/entrants?fbclid=PAVERFWAP7xgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacFgOiFDCvEYZxFtgWYVwqa3c5VFs0Atvas6CSBtmcuHTaZ6q4P2TwncUdGgA_aem_dqXlQx3wrBznNZhh9Xh40gInstagram- https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouslee?igsh=MW42NGJmaGh3aHQxdw==TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@theconsciouslee?_r=1&_t=ZP-93snBDgrsJL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We sat down with Kat Abughazaleh, a candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District, for an in depth and wide ranging conversation about her life, politics, and the moment we’re living in right now. It’s a real discussion about power, resistance, and what it takes to run for office in a system that often punishes dissent. Whether you’re interested in progressive politics, grassroots organizing, or the future of democracy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Connect with Kat!!————————— Website: https://www.katforillinois.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kabughazaleh/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁠ ⁨@katmabu⁩ ⁠ Discord: https://discord.com/invite/katforillinois Sub to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thejaampodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The unjust killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has sparked national outrage. In this video, we break down why this was a clear cut murder, how people are still attempting to justify it, and why federal narratives don’t align with the facts. We also discuss Pam Bondi’s threats toward Governor Tim Walz, the escalation of political pressure, and what comes next for the country. If this feels like the beginning of a Civil War, we argue it’s because we’re already living in one. RIP to Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and to the people that have lost their lives protecting whatever we have left of this democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sub to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thejaampodcast In this episode, we break down the disconnect between rhetoric and reality among prominent right-wing internet figures and call out how the personas they preach online fall apart in a real world setting. We discuss the irony of “alpha” branding colliding with insecurity, contradiction, and performative behavior. We also pivot to politics, examining Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland and why. Finally, we draw parallels between ICE and the mindset of Confederate power structures, questioning whether current policies echo what the Confederacy might have looked like had it succeeded after the Civil War. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJAAMPod?sub_confirmation=1Want to be featured on the show? Leave a comment with #JaamTalks Connect with the hosts!JJ: @jwilliamjhttps://www.tiktok.com/@jwilliamjAbee: @abeetheartisthttps://www.instagram.com/abeetheartist/Matt: @wyomattthttps://www.twitch.tv/wyomatt/Allen: @SohoStudios https://www.instagram.com/sohostudios.co/ ———— Thank you so much for watching #thejaampod ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sub to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thejaampodcastWhat looks like entertainment, policy debate, and internet culture is really a map of power and who it serves. The conversation then tightens around policy and culture. We break down how Zohran Mamdani helped make universal childcare a reality in New York City and why billionaire-owned media rushed to frame it as “impossible.” We unpack what it means for Timothée Chalamet to be crowned “White Boy of the Year,” who benefits from cultural proximity without responsibility, and how Hollywood’s comfort zone keeps rewarding the same archetypes. We also discuss Kai Cenat signaling burnout with the streaming economy and searching for something more substantive beyond clout. We close with ICE escalating violence in Minneapolis, where federal agents are operating with impunity, misinformation, and open political cover. What’s happening isn’t a failure of procedure. It’s a system doing exactly what it was designed to do.Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJAAMPod?sub_confirmation=1Want to be featured on the show? Leave a comment with #JaamTalksConnect with the hosts!JJ: @jwilliamj / https://www.tiktok.com/@jwilliamj.Abee: @abeetheartist / https://www.instagram.com/abeetheartist/Matt: @wyomattt / https://www.twitch.tv/wyomatt/Allen: @SohoStudios / https://www.instagram.com/sohostudios.co/————Thank you so much for watching #thejaampod ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sub to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/thejaampodcastHAPPY NEW YEAR JAAM FAMILY!! Hopefully yall had a wonderful transition into 2026 because we're 9 DAYS in and this administration has already started with the BS. In this episode we talk about our New Years celebration, grifters like Fresh and Fit and Adin Ross's unwarranted hatred for Doechii. We also dive into the controversy behind the Critics Choice Awards and the ongoing conflict in Venezuela. Based on how this month started.... ITS GOING TO BE A LONG YEARSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJAAMPod?sub_confirmation=1Want to be featured on the show? Leave a comment with #JaamTalksConnect with the hosts!JJ: @jwilliamj / https://www.tiktok.com/@jwilliamj.Abee: @abeetheartist / https://www.instagram.com/abeetheartist/Matt: @wyomattt / https://www.twitch.tv/wyomatt/Allen: @SohoStudios / https://www.instagram.com/sohostudios.co/————Thank you so much for watching #thejaampod ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The JAAM, we’re closing out the year with a special holiday episode featuring Chicago legend, Grammy nominated, multi platinum artist Vic Mensa.Vic pulls up for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from his early Chicago roots and the Internet Tape era to hip-hop culture, artistic independence, mental health, African history, and navigating fame in the internet age. We dive deep into creativity, ownership in the music industry, politics, spirituality, and what it really means to stay authentic while evolving.HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJAAMPod?sub_confirmation=1Want to be featured on the show? Leave a comment with #JaamTalksWant to watch all of our episodes? Catch them here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0nquUqSmmJBBd_hyzmCrDh762z7bHqqiHave 10 minutes? Check out a clip:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0nquUqSmmJBXkCqeETdgfQs4k6oY2BvgConnect with the hosts!JJ: @jwilliamj / https://www.tiktok.com/@jwilliamj.Abee: @abeetheartist / https://www.instagram.com/abeetheartist/Matt: @wyomattt / https://www.twitch.tv/wyomatt/Allen: @SohoStudios / https://www.instagram.com/sohostudios.co/————Thank you so much for watching #thejaampod ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final regularly scheduled episode of the year, we reflect on a chaotic, transformative season for both the podcast and the world around us. We dive into men’s mental health conversations, celebrity accountability, gun violence, and systemic failures across politics, healthcare, and justice.We appreciate the love and support you all showed us this year! Next year is GOING TO GET CRAZY! STAY TUNED!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The JAAM takes on another GTA 6 delay, Met Gala announcements, Jasmine Crockett’s Senate bid, and the hard emotional labor of being a Chicago Bears fan.Then we dive into the advent of Kalshi, the probability-market betting app trying to turn politics, news, and daily decisions into tradable wagers. The boys break down the ethics,the influencer pressure and accountability, exploring the disturbing reality that Kalshi lets users bet on things like famine in Gaza, polio coming back, and other crises that should never be treated like sportsbook props.We also break down the dumpster fire that was the Streamer Awards; terrible production, cameras cutting to the wrong Black streamers, tension between the “poggers” side and the W/L community, and the general chaos of the whole thing. From India Love’s “Kanye moment” to Kai’s responsibility as the face of the platform, the crew asks what these awards even do for Black creators and why everyone still chases white validation.And then, unfortunately, it’s finally time to talk about Nick Fuentes. His latest viral moment forced its way into the discourse, so we break down what happened and why he keeps resurfacing. We also get into why he might literally be the antichrist of American politics and why the direction he’s dragging young men in is deeply concerning. Tap in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America is out here cosplaying global supercop again, and the funniest part is they don’t even understand the shit they’re breaking. This week the JAAM digs into how U.S. leaders keep stumbling into international disasters with the confidence of a man who can’t read but insists he “gets the vibes.”We talk Venezuela, the “drug boat” lies, the propaganda videos nobody asked for, and the media gremlins trying to sell regime change like it’s a Black Friday sale. It’s empire, but dumb. Empire, but unserious. Empire run by people who still think socialism is a haunted house.Plus all the chaos you expect: quarter-zip cults, Nike Tech slander, Chicago’s tax mess, Starbucks settlements, Shedeur’s shaky debut, Sabrina Carpenter ethering the deportation video, and whatever else we yelled about before remembering the world is on fire.Welcome to The Ignorance of Empire. Grab a plate. America cooked itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black Friday is basically a fundraiser for the billionaire villains ruining your life. These corporations cut your food, killed your healthcare, raised your rent, and then had the audacity to email you a 12 percent off coupon like that’s supposed to fix generational trauma. So this weekend, keep your money in the hood. Buy local, buy Black, buy from people who would actually notice if you died. Stop donating to Jeff’s space cult. Stop feeding CEOs who think you’re a line item. Starve the rich. Feed your block. Let these corporations choke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything is still on fire and nobody’s holding the hose.Nikki Minaj is out here pretending she’s a foreign policy expert, talking wild about Nigeria, while the Grammys disrespect The Weeknd again for no reason. Zohran Mamdani is ready to show New York City what real leadership looks like, and Paul Pierce might’ve just set a new world record for the dumbest take ever recorded.Back in Chicago, ICE is terrorizing Little Village, CPD is playing security for the wrong team, and Democrats somehow managed to fumble the government shutdown like they were actively trying to lose. Just another week of America speed-running its own collapse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.