A brief Chicago Tonight  segment with No ID, during Red Bull Music Festival Chicago— bonus video at wttw.com and pbs.org. No ID is a Grammy award-winning, superstar hip-hop producer, and a veteran music industry executive famous for his work with Jay Z, Drake, Rihanna, Kanye, Nas and others. This interview was a full-circle moment; we’re … Continue reading Jeff Baraka x No ID

Interviews with Afrobeat royalty, brothers Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti, sons of the iconic Fela Kuti (produced in association with WMFC).     Nice Femi re-post at Okayafrica.      

A three-part mini-doc interview with electronic music pioneer (and former TED music director), Thomas Dolby. Produced in association with WXRT (CBS Radio) and the British Consulate General Chicago. … …

A good convo over dinner with Malian “desert-blues” royalty, Vieux Farka Toure.

A too brief conversation with The God MC, produced in association with HNHH and The Shrine Chicago. Talking with Rakim was a big deal for me personally, because he’s one of my primary early influences as an MC (along with Big Daddy Kane, Chuck D, KRS-One and others). I wasn’t prepared to interview him when … Continue reading Jeff Baraka x Rakim

Fun night. I was really just hangin’ out this time, but got swept up in all the good energy. Produced in association with The Shrine Chicago.

A brief interview with Ohio MC and MMG/BCG representer, Stalley. Produced in association with HNHH.

[update] Salute Black Star (Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli) for their first new album together in 24 years! A brief, thoughtful dialogue with Yasiin Bey, the ecstatic MC/actor, formerly known as Mos Def. A fun, raucous interview with Talib Kweli (plus special guest GLC shows up). Produced in association with Shrine Chicago and GWHH.

Interview with the magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff about Red Bull Thre3style and global DJ culture (sorry for the minor audio/tech trouble on this one, there’ll be a re-do).

[update] Mark Cuban was one of my AXS TV bosses; we caught up at a Tribune event last night (3/7/14). On-assignment for AXS Live at Dwyane Wade‘s Chicago Has Talent  2012 showcase; brief segments with him and Michelle Williams. …

On-assignment for AXS Live. Interview with Wu-Tang Clan founder, The RZA about his movie, “The Man with the Iron Fists”.

On-assignment for AXS Live @ Red Bull BC One 2012 North American qualifier, interview with host Rakaa.   Earlier that day, at the 10th annual Silver Room Sound System Block Party with owner Eric Williams.

On-assignment for AXS Live at Taste of Chicago 2012. Segments with Raphael Saadiq and Roshon Fegan. …

A candid conversation with the standard bearers of intelligent rap (follow-up from North Coast meeting).

[loading…]

An insightful conversation with singer/songwriter/activist, Nneka, a dynamic voice of world and soul music. …

A short interview with Blitz The Ambassador, a vanguard of African-infused hip-hop, produced in association with World Music Festival Chicago. …

An enlightening interview with Common and the late, great Dr. Maya Angelou [RIP]. Originally produced for GowhereHH; audio version for WBEZ / Chicago Public Radio. … And a short conversation among Chicago hip-hop godfathers with Twilite Tone; a quick salute to our shared history (which also includes No ID). BONUS AUDIO: Mic Illumination – Jeff … Continue reading Jeff Baraka x Common

HRSA x GWHH. Interviews with Melanie Fiona and Wale. …

Early, roughly produced interviews with UK soulstress, Estelle and TV personality flygirl, Rocsi Diaz. …

A short interview with Elzhi, a premier MC in independent hip-hop (follow-up from an ’09 Slum Village talk).

An early, roughly produced chat with BBC Radio 6 DJ and tastemaker, Gilles Peterson.

An Okayplayer interview with Black Milk, a vanguard of true-school, Detroit hip-hop. … An Okayplayer interview with Aloe Blacc, one of the new giants of soul music.

Original post at nbcchicago.com … Original post at nbcchicago.com

A short film featuring The Roots and friends, at four incredible events in three cities (CHI / DET / NYC). Produced in association with NBC Chicago, Hennessy Artistry and Okayplayer. … A brief interview with DJ, photographer and hip-hop icon, D-Nice at Hennessy Artistry Detroit (2010).

On assignment for NBC-5 Chicago (Nude Hippo)

A brief conversation with Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal, during my time at JBTV. This was also adapted and presented as an audio story for Chicago Public Radio. Check out the official music video for his song “Television”, and a UNDP video for the MDGs we discuss. .

The first voiceover demo (above) features a few of my best, most rewarding spots for clients like AT&T, McDonald’s, Miller Brewing, etc. It also includes some of my Midway Games (pre-NetherRealm) video game work for NBA Ballers: Chosen One  (hear more below). The second demo was part of an episode pitch for the BBC Travel … Continue reading Jeff Baraka: voiceover