Vocalo’s December Chi Sounds Like Showcase Recap

Vocalo’s fourth Chi Sounds Like Showcase was the place to be on Dec. 14!

Held at the historic Subterranean in Wicker Park, Vocalo’s final Chi Sounds Like Showcase of 2022 was filled with high-energy performances from Kid Breeze, Bianca Shaw, Rashida Briana and Ro Marsalis. Hosted by Vocalo mornings host Bekoe and sounds provided by afternoon host DJ Nudia Hernandez, Team Vocalo made the night one to remember.

^{Bekoe and Nudia Hernandez at Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like Showcase at the Subterranean on Dec. 14, 2022.
Photos by Morgan Ciocca, Vocalo Radio / Chicago Public Media.}

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Rashida Briana

^{Rashida Briana at Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like Showcase at the Subterranean on Dec. 14, 2022.
Photos by Morgan Ciocca, Vocalo Radio / Chicago Public Media.}

Rashida Briana kicked the Showcase off with a soulful selection of songs detailing her past relationships with toxic men. Her powerful voice captivated the room as she performed songs like her debut single “Baby You,” which, following her set, Bekoe noted stopped him in his tracks when he first heard it on the radio. The single was even more hypnotizing in person, and she even showcased some new music. As Bekoe said, Rashida Briana can sang.

RELATED: Rashida Briana Creates Musical Experiences

Rashida Briana Creates Musical Experiences

Bianca Shaw

^{Bianca Shaw at Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like Showcase at the Subterranean on Dec. 14, 2022.
Photos by Morgan Ciocca, Vocalo Radio / Chicago Public Media.}

The multi-talented Bianca Shaw was a show-stopper with her witty lyrics and smooth flow. Her energy was infectious as she pumped the crowd with a drum solo and a song she created in collaboration with Chicago artist ChiBuddah, who she brought out onstage during her set. Toward the end of her time on stage, she called up fellow Chicago creative Davo Sounds to take the stage… and he left audience members’ jaws dropped as he threw a backflip on the Subterranean’s wooden stage in a hat and, as Bekoe described, “church shoes.” In case you were wondering, no, the hat didn’t budge. Before the Showcase, Bianca stopped by the Vocalo studios to catch up with Bekoe, and break down her recent rebrand and latest singles on the Windy City Hour. Stream their conversation below!

Kid Breeze

^{Kid Breeze at Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like Showcase at the Subterranean on Dec. 14, 2022.
Photos by Morgan Ciocca, Vocalo Radio / Chicago Public Media.}

Diving smoothly into the next set, Kid Breeze kept the energy going with a selection of songs to get the audience vibing out. He brought a whole entourage of friends and collaborators onto the stage with him, including past Chi Sounds Like Showcase featured artists Heavy Crownz and Joel Q. He brought some strong energy to the crowd which lasted the rest of the night, and got the audience ready for the night’s closing act.

Ro Marsalis

^{Ro Marsalis at Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like Showcase at the Subterranean on Dec. 14, 2022.
Photos by Morgan Ciocca, Vocalo Radio / Chicago Public Media.}

Headliner Ro Marsalis closed out Vocalo’s final Chi Sounds Like Showcase of the year with several of his hit singles to wrap up the night. Midway through his set, he called fellow Chicago artist (and past Showcase performer) Ausar up onto the stage to perform his new single released earlier in the day, “we all lose,” which Ro produced. Ro Marsalis also made his way to the Vocalo studios to discuss his performance, music origin story and mental health journey on the Windy City Hour with Bekoe. Check out their conversation on Spotify below. (Content warning: discussion of suicide)

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Introduction written by Joshua X. Miller

Photography by Morgan Ciocca

Interviews and audio editing by Bekoe

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