Mike DFG is a powerhouse from Chicago’s West$ide, blending raw storytelling with anthemic energy to become one of the city’s most versatile and slept-on underground artists. Known for his distinctive voice, genre-spanning catalog, and captivating stage presence, he’s carved a lane that’s as dynamic as the city that raised him. His music reflects both the struggle and the soul of Chicago — unfiltered, unapologetic, and unforgettable.

He solidified his sound with two of his most ambitious releases to date: the self-mixed & mastered Line Of Fire EP and his debut mixtape Love Letter To The West, which dropped in October and turned heads across the city. From packed sets at venues like Metro, Reggie’s, Subterranean, and SXSW in Texas, Mike’s live show proves he’s not just next up — he’s here.

Outside the booth, Mike DFG is deeply rooted in community work. He serves on the Chicago Chapter Grammy Board, is a proud member of the John Walt Foundation, and runs his own nonprofit, Bigger Than The City, a platform dedicated to uplifting local creatives and giving them real opportunities to be seen and heard. His impact goes beyond music, proving he’s not just building a career, he’s building a legacy in real time.

Recoechi was born and raised on the south-east side of Chicago. He grew up during the Chief Keef era of Chicago Hip Hop. When he discovered other artists like Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill, Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole it unlocked another dimension for him and inspired him to use music as a way to describe and change his environment and those around him. Recoe is heavily involved in community organizing – working with Healthy Hood Chi and his own EastSide Collection , which was co-founded by the producer C-Sick.

Musically, Recoe’s name has been bubbling in the Chicago music scene since late 2023 when he linked up with producers such as C-Sick, Renzell, and Thelonious Martin, as well as caught the eye of Sway Calloway and local outlets like Illanoize Radio and The Chicago Reader.

OkDEAZY is a 22-year-old rising underground rapper and producer from the North Side of Chicago, Illinois, known for his authentic, storytelling-driven sound within the city’s music scene. Active since 2020, he has garnered attention for his melodic, high-impact deliveries.

Kamyah Williams (known professionally as Xella Red) born June 29, 2006, is an American recording artist and producer born in Chicago, Illinois. At 12, she began releasing music after recording with her family members (who were also prominent artists).

$IC•PARVIS•MAGNA• Based & Created in Chicago, $.I. is a music collective with footprints already set in the Underground Chicago Music Scene #WarReady🪖

22 year old Chicago based producer, singer, and songwriter with an electrifying ethereal-like sound moving between the realms of triphop, electroclash, synthpop, and more .

Right here!
HaHaHa
bring me dat (ft. femdot.)
chi

Chicago artist, MVTE is known for her one-of-a-kind voice, effortless flow and poignant, relatable lyrics. Her music is a rich, diverse mosaic spanning sonic landscapes from jazz influenced slow burners to hard hitting anthems to dance floor favorites. Drawing inspiration from artists like Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill, Anderson .Paak, and Amil, her music is unique, fun and filled with feeling, transporting the listener into her world.

Since 2023, MVTE has been consistently performing and releasing new music including singles, music videos and an EP titled Mama’s House. She has graced the stage at iconic Chicago venues including The Promontory, House of Blues and Reggie’s Rock Club as well as festivals like Pride Parade and Market Days. MVTE’s starpower continues to grow with every release and performance, making her one of music’s most exciting and unique voices.

@young.in__ & @fydelemusic

Waine Ghazi, a producer and engineer from Chicago, is celebrated for creating immersive worlds through sound and vision. Drawing from the legacy of hip-hop greats, Waine produces and engineers every track himself, crafting music that’s both authentic and boundary-pushing. Expanding into R&B and free music, Waine’s work carries powerful messages of self-discovery and finding oneself, while championing inclusivity and self-love in safe spaces for Black and Brown communities.

CRASHprez is a rapper from Fort Washington, MD, currently based in Chicago. These are the musings of a young Black man living, loving, struggling, and building a new world from the wreckage of whatever all… this is. “This” being this ugly world we landed in; CRASHprez raps about that ugly, and the beauty in that, too. CRASH is 1/3rd of the group defprez, with Defcee and knowsthetime. CRASH has shared stages with the likes of Chance the Rapper, Mick Jenkins, Vince Staples, Saba, JPEGMAFIA, and Slow Pulp among many others.

I make music for the broken. You are not alone. GREYISHERE.