AUGUST 2025 | CHICAGO

JAMES JORDAN CLUB, CHICAGO

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UNIQUE YOUTH

The youth performed new & old songs from their catalogues at our end-of-summer showcase & the responses were all that of praise. What made this showcase particularly special was the performance captured in the video, featuring the same group of youthwhocreatedtheirveryfirstsongtogetherinourstudiosix years ago, when they were just 6 and 7 years old. Now at 10 and 11, they continue to grow as artists, writing new music, performing with confidence, and adding to their catalog of songs. Watching them return to the stage as a stronger, more polished version of that same group is a true testament to their commitment, creativity, and development over the years. For me as their producer, it’s one of the proudest moments yet, as it highlightsnotonlytheirgrowthbutalsothelong-termimpactof consistent artist development and mentorship within our program 93

Creative Netwerk, a nonprofit that cultivates dance culture among Chicago youth, recently brought Pioneers King Charles and Kelli Forman into our studio to collaborate on a footworking dance video. During the visit, they taught the youth a footwork routine, encouraged freestyle movement, and filmed the session, resulting in a vibrant video that has since garnered roughly 8k views on Instagram. This collab was done in celebration of Footwork Appreciation Month, which was officially declared by Cook County in August, honoring the fast-paced dance form that originated in Chicago’s South and West sides. Chicago footwork is more than a dance; it's a cultural movement born of Black creativity and survival, evolving from house and ghetto house music into a global creative force. Its syncopated rhythms and lightning-fast foot patterns reflect both a response to struggle and a proclamation of freedom

JAMES JORDAN CLUB, CHICAGO

"THE BAG" REIGNS SUPREME

Another highlight from our end-of-summer showcase came from 11-year-old rapper Baby Virgo, who took the stage to perform his most recognized track, “The Bag.” Although the song is one of his older releases, it remains a favorite among his peers. The crowd erupted as they rapped along word for word. What made this performance stand out was the growth Baby Virgo displayed as an artist; his delivery, stage presence, and confidence were sharper than ever. After countless times performing this track, this showcase performance was without a doubt his strongest yet.

COMMUNITY COLLAB DAY

One of the most memorable days in the studio this summer was when Creative Netwerk visited to film their footworking video with our youth . Wwe were also joined by Torrence, a producer from the Notes for Notes studio in Watts, California. Though his visit was brief, Torrence made an immediate impact, leading the youth in a fun, interactive activity centered around Chicago music artists. The combination of his energy, the Creative Netwerk team’s artistry, and the youth’s excitement created a jam-packed day of community partnerships, collaboration, and cultural exchange. It was a reminder of how powerful it is when creative communities come together across cities to inspire and uplift young artists.