Pengo

Chicago does the hyphenate like no other spot. Ayala’s artist practice goes from breakdancer, to street photog, to cancer center nurse. In this convo, Ayala and Kevin follow the path of how all that got synthesized into insatiable creative expression.You’ll hear how Ayala found his way from roots in Little Village to honing his moves at Alternatives in Uptown. It all led to worldwide acclaim with Phaze2, a crew known for invention and for multiple global championships. This chat is about the keen awareness of space and movement in dance, photography, and life. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

There is a complexity in the language spoken and expressed within the streets and the blocks where graffiti writers are bred. In this conversation, Kevin chops it up with one of the OG pioneering writers of the ‘80s. The story of Pengo’s name is as rich as his history in the Austin neighborhood — a Polish kid growing up on Chicago’s black and brown West Side. Pengo is very specific about his calling. “I’m not an artist. I’m a graffiti writer.” But as it turns out, he’s also a chaplain. In all things, his marks are profound. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

There is something about the fitness of writing. The exercise of it. Paris Rosenthal has crafted a life that is equal parts best-selling author and revered personal trainer. In this convo, Kevin and Paris track the discipline of both lanes through the lens of loss and discovering the life you want most. The tangents are plenty as Paris recounts the experience co-writing a #1 New York Times best-selling children’s book with her mom, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Plus, you’ll hear about Paris’ insightful self-defined college major. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

This is a conversation about trusting your journey. Ashok Selvam is a James Beard award-winning food writer with a passionate vision for how stories should be gathered and shared. In this convo, Kevin and Ashok get into the heart of why journalism is best served by empaths. You’ll hear about Ashok’s childhood journeys along Devon Avenue and his drive to support/create worker-owned businesses. Plus, we catch some of the straight up truths faced by first-gen Americans in Chicago. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

This week we roll through the evolution of a sort of OG of hip hop culture and organizing in Chicago. Larry Miller’s supreme talent as an MC is equalled by his drive to make space for others at the mic. Over the past two decades he’s been filling even more rooms as a DJ all over the city. Larry has navigated all kinds of neighborhoods with his ears low to the ground, and his dad’s massive record collection playing in his head. This is a conversation about how being attuned to all cultures fuels community. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

Off the top. Chicago is lucky to have RAE. Her roots are Detroit, but risk and communal creativity planted RAE in this town for the long haul.During this convo, we get into the ways folks are motivated by something other than the gig they have. RAE is a photographer, who has a beautiful brand called DAILY VIIISION. She creates shoots and moments and stories with narratives that visually represent a cool vibe, a style, and fantasy.You’ll hear about her life in hospitality & self-taught artistry. Mostly, you’ll learn the way RAE visualizes success by her own definition. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

If you are a Chicago MC, that means you inherit a tradition of incredible penmanship within the genre. You also participate in the legacy of the best writers on the planet, starting Gwendolyn Brooks. This is a conversation about how Philmore Greene inscribes tradition, and gets tireless about redefining what the future sounds like.Philly & Kevin dip into documenting Chicago’s place in hip hop culture and the global respect it has fought for past & present. You’ll hear the story of his collabs with Erick Sermon, and why Philmore’s ground-breaking work creating “The Rent Due” — is challenging every rule. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

Tenacity fuels expression. Zeye-One is a graffiti writer who made the uncommon shift to studio artist. In this convo, Kevin unpacks Zeye’s path from falling in love with Frida Kahlo in 3rd grade to tirelessly merging the realities of business with her life as a creative. Her hustles are many — muralist, barber, and tattoo artist are just part of the list. Zeye is the embodiment of Chicago’s working spirit. You can visit her shop & gallery, Obsidian Dagger in Pilsen. But you’ll want to hear her inspiring story first. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

Those that are one-of-one stir some really straight talk. FatBoyGoth is someone Kevin first met as a musician that traveled in hip hop, punk, and emo. Goth has merged all his dreams into being a full-time content creator. His IG show is finding a massive following across the nation, but what are the costs of his prank stardom? This convo explores Goth’s kindness and honesty about the life he predicted. In fact, you’ll hear how his “otherness” in the Austin neighborhood defined him, and what fuels his unharnessed spirit. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

This convo hits you almost live from Kevin’s kitchen. For real. Our chat crawls through all the explorations of Shawnimals. His work is seen on over two dozen murals across the city, or you might know his playful creations from Rotofugi. Shawnimals is a multi-talented artist, toy maker, illustrator, and curator of ideas. His entrepreneurial spirit looms large in this conversation about being ready for anything in life. You’ll hear why Gen X kids are so wonderfully nerdy, and catch a fresh definition of sampling. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe