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The Original OGs: Remembering DJ Sam Chatman, the Godfather of Steppin’   Some legends don’t just play the music—they move a culture. DJ Sam Chatman, Chicago’s “Godfather of Steppin’,” leaves a legacy that connects generations through rhythm, style, and community.   Chatman made Chicago home, working for the Chicago Transit Authority by day and spinning records by night. In the 1970s, a moment on the dance floor sparked a name that would stick: after watching a friend break away from his partner and walk back toward her, Chatman encouraged him to “step on.” He coined “Steppin’,” and posters and flyers helped carry the phrase. Rooted in 1940s bopping, the dance grew into a global phenomenon, with Chatman’s events, showcases, and community gatherings helping spread the movement.   Chatman knew how to read a room—and make people feel like they belonged in it. His music selection, rhythm, and storytelling shaped a soundtrack for generations of steppers and social dancers. A personal shout-out during his sets could make an attendee feel special. Beyond the booth, he mentored community members, encouraged fresh ideas, and kept tradition in the mix.   Behind the public legend was a family man. Chatman leaves behind his wife, seven children, and grandchildren. His youngest daughter, ABC7 anchor Samantha Chatman, dedicated an Emmy Award to him with a deeply personal tribute: “Sam On Your Side takes a whole new meaning.”   Chicago’s steppin’ community and media outlets have celebrated Chatman’s role in taking a Chicago-born dance culture to an international audience. His legacy holds tradition and possibility in the same rhythm—honoring where steppin’ came from while inspiring dancers to keep it moving.     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Walter Burnett Jr. (born August 16, 1963) is a Chicago political veteran who held down the city's 27th Ward from 1995 to 2025. His turf stretched across the West Loop, Greektown, East Garfield Park, Near North Side, Old Town, West Humboldt Park, West Town, Goose Island, and the Illinois Medical District.  From 2023 to 2025, he stepped into another major role as vice mayor of Chicago. Walter Burnett Jr. entered the world on August 16, 1963, at Cook County Hospital in the Illinois Medical District. But his road was anything but smooth. He served two years behind bars for his role in an armed bank robbery in Kankakee. Burnett had agreed to drive two friends there; they robbed the Momence Federal Savings and Loan of $3,000. The situation spiraled when the trio stopped at a convenience store, stole a car, and kidnapped its driver at gunpoint. Burnett rebuilt his life through public service, putting in 11 years with Cook County government and working a range of jobs along the way. One of the most important was serving as special assistant to Jesse White, then the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. Burnett later joined White's campaign for Illinois secretary of state. By 2023, Gregory Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business described Burnett as White's protégé—a sign of the political foundation he built before making his own name in Chicago.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who Is OG Mr. Rick? Part 2 turns up the heat in this raw, UNCUT, hard-hitting episode of The Original OG. Go beyond the legend and discover the real meaning behind the famous playa known as the King of the Players—Bishop Magic Don Juan. Kick back and ride through the streets of Chicago’s West Side, where pimps, players, and hustlers-built names that still echo today. If you’ve ever wanted the real story behind Chicago’s legendary player lifestyle, this is the episode you can’t miss. Pour your favorite player’s drink, settle in, and let the game unfold—uncut, unapologetic, and straight from the source. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

THE ORIGINAL OGS UNCUT - Live life and learn the truth behind the Original OGs, OG Mr. Rick and OG Cadillack. You’ve heard the buzz—now meet the real men behind the movement. In Part One of this exclusive two-part series, OG Mr. Rick and OG Cadillack pull back the curtain and take you inside the hustle, hard lessons, big laughs, and unforgettable moments that made them social media standouts. The stories are raw, the energy is real, and the OG wisdom hits different. Tap in, like, and subscribe—you don’t want to miss this one! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Remove the Black Fathers and the family will fail. Turn the Black woman against the Black man, he will fail. Remove the Black woman from the home. The Community fails. “Willie Lynch Letter.” This is one of the most powerful stories you will hear on any podcast platform. Meet LaTanya Jenifor-Sublett. At just 19 years old, she was tortured, falsely accused of a crime she did not commit, and sentenced to 42 years in prison. She endured 21 years of incarceration before finally being released. A survivor of torture by members of the Chicago Police Department, LaTanya does not call herself a community activist—but she refuses to remain silent. Today, she fights for justice and stands against the mistreatment of those who are too often overlooked. LaTanya Jenifor-Sublett Story:After I refused to sign it, I was slapped, choked, beaten, slammed into the concrete wall, handcuffed, and called names that I had never been called before. I was in that interrogation room for hours without water, nothing to eat. I urinated on myself. They threatened to incarcerate my mother if I did not sign it. And still I said, “I’m not gonna sign this.” One detective walked out of the interrogation room. When he came back, he opened the door, and my mother was standing there in handcuffs. They said, “We’re taking your mom to jail for this. F*****g sign it, or your mom’s going to jail.” My mom was just crying. And I’m like, “How are you [taking her to jail]? I’m telling you what happened.” And they took my mom away. And I thought that she was in jail. So, I’m like, “Okay, okay, okay. [I will sign it.]” Then they literally grabbed my hand. One of them held me by the neck as I signed this statement. In several places. They don’t make you just sign it at the bottom—you sign it in all the spots where it incriminates you. That young, nineteen-year-old woman thought she could go to the police station and say, “I’m mad about this crime. Don’t be mad at me; be mad with me.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who Are Violence Interrupters?Violence interrupters, also called credible messengers, peacekeepers, or street outreach workers, are individuals from the communities they serve who have lived experience with violence, gangs, or the criminal justice system. Many have been directly affected by violence, incarcerated, or involved in gangs, which gives them credibility and insight into local dynamics. Their personal histories allow them to connect with high-risk individuals and mediate conflicts effectively. Tio Hardiman and Violence InterruptersTio Hardiman is the Executive Director of Violence Interrupters, NFP, a nationally recognized community organizer, violence prevention strategist, author, educator, and two-time gubernatorial candidate who has dedicated over two decades to advancing peace, restorative justice, and public safety in communities affected by violence Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Part 2 Jazz loves the phrase “elder statesman,” and few artists embody it as fully as Kahil El’Zabar. The “elder” part is easy: He has spent decades making music. But “statesman” suggests something larger—an artist who serves as both figurehead and ambassador, carrying the music forward and inviting new listeners into what may be America’s greatest cultural achievement. El’Zabar has done exactly that, helping define jazz not merely as a genre, but as a nation of its own within the nation.A percussionist at heart, El’Zabar moves fluidly among drums, hand percussion, thumb piano, and voice. He is also a magnetic bandleader and a collaborator with modern masters including David Murray, Lester Bowie, and Billy Bang. At the center of his work is the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a shape-shifting group that has endured for 50 years. More than one of the great jazz ensembles of the past half-century, it is a powerful social and political project—music with memory, purpose, and movement.The ensemble is inseparable from Chicago, where El’Zabar was born and raised and where Black American life forged a singular history. In the long shadow of post-Reconstruction segregation—and especially during the Great Migration, when Black families moved from the South to cities across the East, Midwest, and West—a largely self-sustaining Black society took root in Chicago. The community built its own economy and institutions, from banks to a Black musicians union. The system was far from ideal, but the culture that flourished within it was vibrant, resilient, and transformative. Kahil El’Zabar emerged from that world—and has spent his career carrying its pulse forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jazz loves the phrase “elder statesman,” and few artists embody it as fully as Kahil El’Zabar. The “elder” part is easy: He has spent decades making music. But “statesman” suggests something larger—an artist who serves as both figurehead and ambassador, carrying the music forward and inviting new listeners into what may be America’s greatest cultural achievement. El’Zabar has done exactly that, helping define jazz not merely as a genre, but as a nation of its own within the nation. A percussionist at heart, El’Zabar moves fluidly among drums, hand percussion, thumb piano, and voice. He is also a magnetic bandleader and a collaborator with modern masters including David Murray, Lester Bowie, and Billy Bang. At the center of his work is the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, a shape-shifting group that has endured for 50 years. More than one of the great jazz ensembles of the past half-century, it is a powerful social and political project—music with memory, purpose, and movement. The ensemble is inseparable from Chicago, where El’Zabar was born and raised and where Black American life forged a singular history. In the long shadow of post-Reconstruction segregation—and especially during the Great Migration, when Black families moved from the South to cities across the East, Midwest, and West—a largely self-sustaining Black society took root in Chicago. The community built its own economy and institutions, from banks to a Black musicians union. The system was far from ideal, but the culture that flourished within it was vibrant, resilient, and transformative. Kahil El’Zabar emerged from that world—and has spent his career carrying its pulse forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Original OGs salute the legendary Mr. Bill Duke—an undeniable force selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. This is more than an honor; it’s a major celebration of a trailblazer whose impact on film and television has echoed across generations. The Big Announcement: On June 24, 2024, the word dropped—Bill Duke had officially joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2025. Chosen by the Walk of Fame Selection Panel of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, this recognition puts a well-earned spotlight on a true original whose work has helped shape the culture. William Henry “Bill” Duke Jr. is built different—an American actor, director, producer, and humanitarian with a commanding presence in front of the camera and a visionary eye behind it. Known as the “Godfather of African American Cinema,” he has delivered unforgettable performances in Predator, Commando, and Menace II Society, then called the shots on classics including A Rage in Harlem, Deep Cover, and Sister Act 2. For more than five decades, he has moved through action, drama, and powerful cultural documentaries like Dark Girls and Light Girls—always bringing truth, purpose, and real OG excellence to the screen. Bill Duke didn’t just enter the game; he elevated it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tune into the SPECIAL EPISODE! Nolan Wells! What is F@(K is wrong with Blacks when we can explain away the taking of another Black life? How have we become so comfortable turning pain into excuses, grief into silence, and tragedy into something we move past too easily? Death of 18-Year-Old Nolan Wells in Mississippi Circumstances of the disappearance Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, died after going missing on July 4, 2026, during a boat trip to Horn Island, a barrier island about 10 miles from the Gulf Coast abcnews.com. He was last seen around 3 p.m. that day with three friends, but one of them reported him missing at about 11 p.m., and his mother called the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department shortly after Biloxi Sun Herald. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Straight from the concrete where legends are made, OG Mr. Rick sits down with OG Skin Fire — a former enforcer from Brooklyn, Illinois, the oldest Black township in America. Tune in as OG Mr. Rick discuss the code of being a chosen enforcer on the mean streets of Brooklyn Illinois, a township that exist within shouting distance of East St. Louis. Brooklyn’s roots run deep: AME and Baptist churches formed in the 1830s, later tied to Underground Railroad work that helped freedom seekers move north. Built as an early interracial community, Brooklyn was boxed in by discrimination, bypassed by transport routes, and starved of investment. Oral history says “Mother” Priscilla Baltimore led Black families across the Mississippi from St. Louis to Illinois, founding a freedom village in the American Bottom. Records place Baltimore between St. Louis and Brooklyn in the 1830s, with her first documented Brooklyn connection appearing in 1839. Baltimore became a Methodist preacher, while William Paul Quinn helped found Brooklyn AME Church in 1836 — now Quinn’s Chapel AME, believed to be the first AME church west of the Appalachians. In 1837, abolitionists platted the land into a mostly Black town; by the mid-1800s, Brooklyn had grown into a community of about 200 African Americans. Quinn Chapel AME and Antioch Baptist served as Underground Railroad stations, sheltering freedom seekers before sending them toward Canada. Brooklyn incorporated in 1873. By 1886, its Black majority organized politically and elected John Evans as the village’s first Black mayor. But investment flowed around Brooklyn and into East St. Louis, leaving the village isolated from railroads, industry, and growth. In 1891, Evans named the post office Lovejoy after abolitionist Elijah P. Lovejoy; the town’s later high school carried the same name and reputation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lady Re — “The Funny Lady” Comedian Lady Re, also known as Aretha Richardson and “The Funny Lady,” is a stand-up comedian, radio host, and actress based in St. Louis, Missouri. She is known for her improvisational style, upbeat energy, and positive humor, often performing for both grown-up and family audiences. Lady Re’s comedy career began when a friend encouraged her to take her natural humor to the stage. As a St. Louis native, she has performed at local venues and has sold out shows, including a variety special at the Blue Strawberry Showroom in 2021. She has recorded live comedy specials such as I Got That Duck Juice and has appeared on radio programs like Smoooth Conversations. Her performances often blend improvisation with relatable, lighthearted storytelling, making her a favorite. Fans describe her as fun, engaging, and inclusive, with a mix of observational humor and improvisational flair. She’s known for making audiences laugh while keeping the energy positive and welcoming. Lady Re is a name in the comedy scene you don’t want to forget. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

OG Mr. Rick keeps it real with Benzino and brings in two legends—OG Ronnie Real from St. Louis and OG Natalac out of Jacksonville, Florida. This isn’t just a convo—it’s a masterclass in what it means to be a true OG. Tap in for stories, wisdom, and straight-up game from the originals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Benzino bursts onto the mic with passion, purpose, and a powerful message. Stepping boldly into the world of podcasting, he makes it clear that the culture is craving a voice rooted in wisdom, authenticity, and real-life experience. With fearless honesty, Benzino brings a fresh perspective to hip-hop while standing firm in his truth—staying real, staying Black, and speaking unapologetically in a time when that voice matters more than ever. Also known as Raymond Scott or Ray Benzino, is a rapper, record producer, television personality, and urban media proprietor. He first gained recognition as a member of the rap group Almighty RSO in the 1980s and 1990s. Later, he collaborated with Mr. Gzus and Antonio Twice Thou to form the group Made Men. Benzino has cited the film Wild Style as one of his main inspirations for entering the rap genre. As a founding member of both Almighty RSO and Made Men, he played a significant role in shaping early East Coast hip-hop. Since 2012, Benzino has appeared on the reality television show Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta. Benzino also co-owned The Source magazine with David Mays in the late 1990s. The Source is an American music magazine and website specializing in hip-hop and entertainment. It was founded in August 1988 by Harvard University students David Mays and Jonathan Shecter, initially as a black-and-white, one-page newspaper promoting their college radio show. Within months, it evolved into a professionally designed, full-color magazine. Dubbed “the bible of hip-hop,” The Source primarily focused on hip-hop music and culture, while also covering politics and fashion. Its music reviews were highly influential in the hip-hop community, with the coveted “five mics” rating regarded as a significant achievement. These ratings frequently sparked heated debates among artists and fans alike. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don’t miss Episode #13 of The Original OGs! OG Mr. Rick links up with his West Side Chicago fam Belo—one-third of the legendary rap group Do or Die. Straight outta East Garfield Park, Do or Die put the Midwest on the map with their rapid-fire flows and smooth hooks. Remember that platinum smash “Po Pimp”? Yeah, that classic hit climbed all the way to #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and had the whole city vibing. This episode is packed with real talk, Chi-Town stories, and hip-hop history you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in for a raw, unfiltered ride with the OGs! Do or Die is a Chicago-based hip-hop trio known for their rapid-fire delivery and platinum hits like "Po Pimp." Group Overview Do or Die is an American hip-hop trio from the East Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago's West Side, formed in the early 1990s. The group consists of N.A.R.D. (Anthony Round), AK-47 (Dennis Round), and Belo Zero (Darnell Smith), with N.A.R.D. and AK-47 being brothers and Belo Zero a longtime friend. They are recognized for their fast-paced lyrical style and contributions to the Midwest hip-hop sound, often blending gritty street narratives with melodic hooks from collaborators like Johnny P and Twista. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.