At CHIRP Radio, one of our favorite things to do is to play tracks by the amazing local artists who fill our community. 2016 was a banner year for Chicago music, whether it was the increasingly high profile of the best ambassador a city could hope for in Chance the Rapper -- and his group of stellar friends and collaborators like Jamila Woods, Saba, and Noname, who put out a universe of outstanding releases of their own this year, a warm, positive, much-needed burst of hope from the legendary Mavis Staples, or the breezy, vintage fun of the Flat Five, who finally put some of the joy of their live shows down on tape. Pair these with a healthy dose of up-and-coming indie records from the likes of Impulsive Hearts and Flesh Panthers, the lush jazz-folk of Ryley Walker, the heaviosity of High Priest... we could talk about these records all day -- but the better alternative is to give them a listen.
And once you finish listening to this playlist, head over to CHIRPradio.org and see what our DJs are spinning. We're always live, local, and commercial-free, with hosts who are passionate about sharing new musical discoveries and old favorites alike.
--Shawn Campbell, Founder of CHIRP, and the CHIRP staff