The
Record.
Chicago's Afro-diaspora, documented. The rooms nobody else is writing about, the selectors running the city, the promoters building the infrastructure. First-hand. In real time.
NOLACES RADIO · CHICAGO, IL
Our Playlist Is Human, Too.
On Vocalo's Hotline, the stations that became institutions, and the Afro-diaspora listening culture Chicago was always building.
CHICAGO · DOCUMENTED · 2026More from The Record.
The RecordBAD Is a Pregame
Inside the Chicago Friday format three weeks old — The Pregame, DJ Q-Hefner, and what reverse brunch actually means for Black Chicago's grown-and-social economy.
◷ Coming Jun 4 — Get notifiedThe RecordFriday Jr. — Peter Cottontale's Thursday
A Grammy-winning Chance the Rapper collaborator holds a weekly residency at Ace Lounge on Wells Street. Nobody is writing about it. We are.
◷ TBA — Get notifiedThe ReadingForever Mine — Chicago's First Diaspora Festival
They called it R&B and house. We heard the diaspora — Shaggy, Kaytranada, Terry Hunter, Hillery Banks on one ticket.
◷ TBA — Get notified