22-year-old community activist and Southside Chicago resident Ric Wilson has already made a name for himself selling out venues and opening for the likes of The Roots, Public Enemy’s Chuck D and DRAM. Wilson found his origins with the renowned Young Chicago Authors organization that also helped kickstart the careers of Jamila Woods and Chance the Rapper.
Following 2016’s The Sun Is Out and Soul Bounce and 2017’s Negrow Disco, Wilson released his third EP Banba just today – a six pack of soul-soliciting tracks, packed with a ton of features. One of such feature-frenzy tunes appears halfway through Banba and gives voice to Kweku Collins, Nick Kosma and Rane Raps. Watch out, A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario” and Wu Tang Clan’s “Protect Ya Neck” – here’s a modern day posse cut with a lot more lyrical depth – “Sinner”.
–Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)