The AMp from Vocalo

The AMp from Vocalo

Interviews amplifying arts + culture + community.

Episodes

The Field Museum Celebrates Black History Month with an Exhibition on Carl Cotton

February 13, 2020 • 9 mins
Curator Reda Brooks talks to Jill Hopkins about how the Field Museum is celebrating Black History Month with an exhibition about Carl Cotton, the museum's first Black taxidermist.
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Hannibal Buress Talks New TV Special, NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and Chicago Food Cravings

February 13, 2020 • 8 mins
Hannibal Buress is one of Chicago's greatest comedy exports. He's back in town for NBA All-Star Celebrity Game with his team captain Common among others. He spoke with Jill Hopkins about the game, new TV special, and his Chicago food cravings.
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Stephanie Skora talks "Girl, I Guess" Voting Guide for Illinois Primaries

February 12, 2020 • 16 mins
Chicago-based activist and organizer Stephanie Skora, author of the popular "Girl, I Guess Voter Guide" joins Jill Hopkins on the AMp to discuss the latest edition focused on the Primaries.
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Metro Owner Joe Shanahan Talks Winter Block Party and Recreating Blue Groove Lounge Vibes

February 6, 2020 • 8 mins
We spoke with the owner of Chicago's Metro and Smart Bar, Joe Shanahan, about this weekend's Winter Block Party and the spirit of the early Chicago Hip Hop scene in the days of the Blue Groove Lounge parties. Photo by: Joe Mazza
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Mental Giants Talk Hip-Hop History with Jesse De La Pena

February 6, 2020 • 8 mins
Mental Giants were a crucial part of the Chicago Hip Hop scene in the days of The Blue Groove Lounge. Vocalo host Jesse De LaPena spoke with the duo about Chicago Hip Hop history, and their upcoming show this weekend at The Winter Block Party.
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Ang13 and Brittney Carter Talk Womanhood and Hip-Hop

February 4, 2020 • 6 mins
Ang13 and Brittney Carter are some of the finest MCs in Chicago. They sat down with Jill Hopkins to chat womanhood, songwriting and the art of hip-hop.
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DJ's Pumpin Pete and Ca$hEra talk House and Hip Hop scenes old and new

February 4, 2020 • 7 mins
In anticipation of this week's Winter Block Party, we spoke with DJ Pumpin Pete and Ca$h Era about the Hip Hop and House scenes back then and the state of Hip Hop culture right now.
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Author Kiley Reid on Race and Privilege in Her Debut Novel “Such a Fun Age”

January 31, 2020 • 5 mins
Kiley Reid’s “Such a Fun Age” is a hyper-relateable story of race and privilege set around a young Black babysitter Emira and her White feminist employer, Alix, and what happens after a tense, racially driven incident brings their differences to light.
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Second City Digs Into Archives in Celebration of Black History Month

January 29, 2020 • 11 mins
This year, The Second City is bringing back its Black History Month Show, pulling from decades worth of iconic archival and classic sketches and songs created by African American alumni. we spoke with Ali Barthwell and Dionna Griffin-Irons about the show.
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AMp pays tribute to Kobe Bryant

January 27, 2020 • 23 mins
Yesterday, the news broke about the tragic death of NBA player Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash. Jill Hopkins and Vocalo social media correspondent Curtis Shaw Flagg pay a tribute and remember the basketball star and his contribution to the game.
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Writer Terrence Chappell on Frankie Knuckles and his contributions to fostering inclusivity in the dance scene

January 27, 2020 • 12 mins
House music godfather, Frankie Knuckles, was instrumental in creating sanctuaries for queer Black and Brown youth. We spoke with writer and cultural critic Terrence Chappell about Frankie Knuckle's legacy and the foundation of inclusivity he left behind.
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Dometi Pongo talks True Life Crime

January 24, 2020 • 9 mins
Dometi Pongo is a journalist and the host of MTV's True Life Crime. Bekoe caught up with Dometi about his Chicago beginnings and what it takes to produce a documentary series that explores the unseen parts of society and its subcultures.
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Chicago Poetry Center celebrates Valentine's with poetry and a fundraiser

January 23, 2020 • 11 mins
Chicago Poetry Center Executive Director, Beth Sampson, and Poet in Residence, Frankeim Mitchell, joined Jill Hopkins to talk about "No Love for Love" Valentines fundraiser on 2/13/20.
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Endangered Species Protection Board struggles to revive endangered species in Illinois

January 23, 2020 • 12 mins
WBEZ environment and climate reporter, Jerome McDonnell, joined us to talk about the work of Endangered Species Protection Board to record, protect and revive the 480 endangered species in Illinois.
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Cubs Charities Help Rebuild Athletic Fields in Puerto Rico.

January 8, 2020 • 10 mins
After earthquakes in Puerto Rico, rebuilding communities is more important than ever. Alicia Gonzalez is the Executive Director of Cubs Charities. She spoke with Jill Hopkins about the Diamond Project and its impact in the island.​
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WBEZ's Mariah Woelfel Breaks Down First Week of Legal Weed Revenue in Illinois

January 8, 2020 • 10 mins
WBEZ News Producer Mariah Woelfel joined Jill Hopkins on the AMP to tell us how much cash Illinois has pulled in in the first week that marijuana has been legal.
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Sandra Trevino Shares Favorite Latin Alternative Tracks of the Year

December 20, 2019 • 9 mins
Sandra Trevino is the Founder and Editor of Enchufate.com, one of Chicago’s leading resources for Latin Alternative music, art and culture. She brings us her favorite songs of the year.
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Ci3 Game Changer Lab Educates About Sexual and Reproductive Health Through Games

December 20, 2019 • 9 mins
Ci3 Game Changer Lab at UChicago designs games that educate and improve the sexual and reproductive health of young adults. Director Mason Arrington talks how health and play converge in innovative ways at Ci3.
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Top 5 Chicago Stories of 2019 with Reset's Jenn White

December 19, 2019 • 21 mins
Jenn White of WBEZ's Reset joined Jill Hopkins on The AMp to look back at the biggest news stories that defined Chicago in 2019, including Mayor Lightfoot’s election, CTU Strike, Chance the Snapper and more.
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The Harlem Globetrotters Chat With Vocalo

December 19, 2019 • 12 mins
Vocalo spoke with Harlem Globetrotters about their beginnings in Illinois, learning that ball spin, and the joys of basketball.
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