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Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM is Chicago’s only NPR Music affiliate and only Urban Alternative station — the first of its kind in the country. We strive to highlight and uplift artists and changemakers breaking through the noise, both in and out of Chicago. Our goal is to make listeners say and feel: THIS is what Chicago sounds like. Dig deeper into our stories and conversations at Vocalo.org.
Vocalo is a subsidiary of Chicago Public Media, and is the sister station to WBEZ Chicago.
Vocalo is a subsidiary of Chicago Public Media, and is the sister station to WBEZ Chicago.
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As a Scorpio herself, singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin knew exactly what to name her latest album even before it was finished. The project was born as McFerrin's engagement — and relationship of eight years — came to an end, and served as an integral part of her grieving process. Her sophomore album, "SCORPIO" is a soul-filled journey into self-discovery and healing from heartbreak.
McFerrin kicks off her tour in support of the album on Sept. 30, stopping at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall on Oct. 23. Before hitting the road, she virtually met with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss opening up on the album, co-producing track “I Don’t” with WILLOW, funding the project through her wedding savings and collaborating with Tyler, the Creator. McFerrin also teased that her Chicago show will be the only one on the tour with background vocalists …
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Monday, Sept. 23. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.
From director Justin Tipping and Jordan Peele's Monkey Paw Productions, new film "HIM" asks: "What is the price of success?" After enduring a career-threatening injury, pro-football prospect Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) gets invited to train with his childhood idol Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). While training in White’s private facilities, Cade is introduced to the darker side of pro-football. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says Cade’s naiveness paired with White’s ruthlessness allows the audience to sense something explosive is waiting to happen.
“HIM” is also the acting debut for Tierra Whack and Guapdad 4000 — both of whom are featured on the film's soundtrack alongside Gucci Mane, Denzel Curry, Sampa the Great, MAVI, Jean Dawson and more.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube, Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
Chicago artist Rich Robbins newest album “IN GOOD TASTE” is out today, Sep. 4. Robbins sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss his song “Balance,” which highlights the people around him, as no one can do it alone. He dives into the inspiration for the album, including features from Clairice, theMIND, femdot. and Renzell.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Tuesday, Aug. 27. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.
Chicago DJ and self-declared “Meme Queen“ Hiroko Yamamura will hit the stage with a B2B performance with HAAi at ARC Music Festival on Friday, Aug. 29. In preparation for ARC weekend, she explained how minimum planning is ideal — her set will depend on the vibes, the people and the weather of that day. As music has been an integral part of her life, she shared her thoughts on pre-produced sets, how she defines genres and her honest advice to young DJs.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Tuesday, August 19. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok. Dig deeper into the story at wbez.org/vocalo.
Spike Lee’s newest joint "Highest 2 Lowest" finds music mogul David King (Denzel Washington) in the middle of a life-or-death ransom plot and a moral dilemma – questioning whether a contract makes the industry more about the money than the music. The film also stars Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, Jeffery Wright, Dean Winters and Ice Spice.
Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder breaks down the film into eight C’s: crime, conflict, culture, comedy, cameos, concerts, characters and contracts.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube, Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
When Chicago artist Mike DFG put on his mask for the first time, he knew it was time to start digging deeper into his artistic identity. The 21-year-old rapper has only been pursuing music professionally for around two years, but earlier this month made his Lollapalooza performance debut on the John Walt Foundation’s Chicago’s Got Next Stage. He’s also the founder of his own local imprint (Bigger Than the City, or BTTC) and a part of a local music collective (Social Introverts).
Mike sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss his experience at the festival and some of his upcoming performances.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Tuesday, Aug. 12. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Talia Lopresti. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.
The Fly Honey Show, a well-known Chicago arts variety show, hosts its last run this month at Thalia Hall, with a local focus. Across 15 seasons, the Fly Honeys built a following with a mix of burlesque, dance concert and party, along the way earning a reputation as hosting a joyful celebration of all bodies and identities.
They’re staging a grand finale this month that pays homage to Chicago’s creative community with six unique performances on a custom stage at Thalia Hall. Along with 20 dancers and a nine-piece band, the show will feature special Chicago guests including Shawnee Dez, DJ CQQCHiFRUIT, Roy Kinsey, Chillona, Mariachi Sirenas, DJ Bonita Appleblunt and the Good Girls DJs.
Director Erin Kilmurray stopped by to discuss the shows with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez. Dig deeper into the story at wbez.org/vocalo, and find performance details at theflyhoneyshow.com.
Ana de Armas stars in this action-packed continuation of the ‘John Wick’ franchise. We find her as Eve Macarro, an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma, as she seeks revenge against her father’s killers. And don’t worry — Keanu Reeves still makes an appearance as the titular suited-up action star. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says ‘Ballerina’ is “the action film that action fans are looking for.” Be warned: The violence and gore may be gratuitous for some viewers.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on YouTube, Twitter, BlueSky and Instagram @TheReelCritic.
Swedish-American artist Yukimi is the co-founder and vocalist of Grammy-nominated band Little Dragon. Last month, the musician began a new chapter with the release of her debut solo album: 'For You' explores "love, loss, feminine energy and innate resilience" with a fusion of jazz, soul, electronic pop, roots and hip-hop. The artist stops at Chicago's Thalia Hall tonight on her North American tour in support of the album. In a conversation with Vocalo, she said fans can expect a journey through sound and emotion during her show. She also delved into the easiest ("Sad Makeup") and hardest ("Make Me Whole") songs to record on the project and the importance of embracing sadness.
This interview originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Thursday, April 24. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca, with production support from Elizabeth Landt. Keep up with us @vocalo on Instagram and @vocalo.radio on TikTok.
When twin brothers return home to Mississippi for a fresh start, they uncover something far more evil than what they left behind. Michael B. Jordan stars as both twins, Smoke and Stack in ‘Sinners,’ alongside Miles Caton, Hailee Steinfeld and more. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, the 2025 horror adventure film has two starkly different halves. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder calls it “a history lesson, a cautionary tale and a nightmare all at once.”
“The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
Chicago’s Dreamer Isioma is not just a musician, but a creative director. Their new cosmic-themed album, ‘StarX Lover,’ is accompanied by otherworldly visuals and a new sound Isioma calls “Afropop rock.” Taking inspiration from classic psychological thrillers, the 2000s pop-punk era and their Nigerian-American roots, the project is both deeply personal and supernatural.
Isioma sat down with Nudia Hernandez to discuss the making of the album, including recording the single “Find Some Space” with fellow Chicago musicians, Adan Diaz, Victor Internet and Brooklynn Skye.
Their North American ‘StarX Lover’ tour launches on April 24, concluding in Chicago on May 31, 2025 at Lincoln Hall.
This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It originally aired on Vocalo 91.1 FM during Nudia In The Afternoon on Tuesday, April 8. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca.
Bookclub is the new live music venue and community space inside what used to be the Elbo Room. Begun as a DIY project by high school friends Cam Stacey and K.O. Weakley in 2021, Bookclub became a legitimate venue earlier this year — and they’re already booking shows and welcoming neighbors every week. Stacey and Weakley sat down with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez to discuss Bookclub’s journey and their hopes for the future.
This segment was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez. It originally aired on Vocalo 91.1 FM during Nudia In the Afternoons on Wednesday, March 5. It was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca. Find more info on upcoming shows at bookclubchi.com!
2024 documentary 'Daughters' follows four young girls as they prepare to reunite with their fathers for a special Daddy Daughter Dance through a fatherhood program in a DC jail. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the film offers authentic and vulnerable insight into the lives of families impacted by incarceration.
’Daughters’ is currently available on Netflix, and has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
Chicago disco-funk musician and activist Ric Wilson has a personal style inspired by vintage, his international travels and people he's met across different eras of his life.
He's performed alongside acts like Chromeo, Black Pumas, DRAMA, Yellow Days and more. Wilson sat down with Vocalo for our "Getting Dressed" series to talk all things style, share takeaways from living in London and give us the breakdown of how he packs for international tours.
This segment was hosted, cut and mixed by Morgan Ciocca. It was engineered and produced by Dave Miska, and edited by Cassie Walker Burke. Special thanks to Mendy Kong and Jessica Martens. Keep up with Vocalo @vocalo on most platforms, and subscribe to our newsletter at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods.
With the 97th Academy Awards rapidly approaching on March 2, Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder paid a visit to the Vocalo studio to help us break down the races and films we need to look out for. He gave us his take on the film he thinks will claim Best Picture, plus his predictions for Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Director and more. He also highlighted what he feels was the biggest snub this year, and his feelings about some standout movie scores. Keep up with Reggie Ponder @TheReelCritic on most platforms.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons on Wednesday, Feb. 26. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca.
Keep up with Vocalo @vocalo on most platforms, and subscribe to The Goods newsletter for a weekly film recommendation (and more) every week at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods.
Yearly film series Melanin, Roots, and Culture celebrates Black stories and filmmakers at the Music Box Theatre, wrapping up tonight with “Life Within The Lens” — a short film screening showcasing Chicago creators. Other featured films included ‘The Woman King,’ ‘Here and Now’ and more. Film programmer Tyler Michael Balentine discussed the series with Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder. Find more information at musicboxtheatre.com.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
In this latest Marvel Studios offering, Steve Wilson — previously the Falcon, now the new Captain America — finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with president Thaddeus Ross, and must foil a malevolent global plot before it’s too late. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder says the new installment of the ‘Captain America’ franchise is worth the watch, but feels the writers were “unable to make it iconic” — though they set the stage for something bigger in the future.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
Nonprofit Black Alphabet and Center on Halsted present a Black History Month Mini Film Festival this Saturday, Feb. 22, celebrating Black and queer stories at the LGBTQ+ community hub with several short film screenings and a brief talkback. Organizer Joshua X. Miller of Black Alphabet stopped by Vocalo to discuss the film fest and its mission with host Nudia Hernandez, and we heard from filmmakers Gio Johnson and Kin Marie about their featured works. Find more info at blackalphabet.org.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo 91.1 FM on Wednesday, Feb. 19. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and it was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca.
Keep up with more Chicago happenings by subscribing to The Goods weekly arts and culture newsletter at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods
Brian “Killah B” Bates walked away with two Grammy wins for his work on Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter.' The Los Angeles-based, Chicago-rooted producer and songwriter didn’t know his song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” would be the breakout hit from the album. He was just honored to be included on the project, and he says he’s still processing it all. We hopped on a call with the producer to chat all things “Texas Hold ‘Em” and his advice for aspiring producers.
This segment originally aired on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM on Thursday, Feb. 13. It was hosted and produced by Nudia Hernandez, and it was edited and mixed by Morgan Ciocca. Subscribe to our newsletter at wbez.org/vocalo-thegoods.
Action comedy ‘Love Hurts’ follows Milwaukee realtor Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan), who is shocked to receive a letter from Rose (Ariana DeBose): his former partner-in-crime who he left for dead. Pulled back into the world of hit-men and betrayal, Marvin is hunted down by his ruthless crime lord brother (Daniel Wu) as he reckons with his past. Amid the guns, gore and exaggerated fighting sequences, the film is punctuated with love and relationship humor. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder felt the film’s title was particularly appropriate … it really did hurt. Hear his thoughts on ‘Love Hurts’ in this review.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.
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