“GoalKeepers care more about what you are making and even care about how you make them feel. Gatekeepers focus on what they can get out of you. Goalkeepers matter. Gatekeepers think they matter. Perception versus reality.” – Marc Ecko, Founder of Complex
This isn’t our first go around with honoring notable Chicagoland GoalKeepers (The Above photo is from 2019). Since our last piece a few years ago on those worthy of the category, Chicago has made tremendous strides to represent the culture and help bring our city into the mainstream world of Hiphop music, news, and culture like none other. So much so, that we decided to categorize the 2023 list, giving that we have so many more notable figures to acknowledge for the continued greatness that’s produced in our city.
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: LOUIS CARR/ WAYMAKER MEDIA
founded by Louis Carr, has become the #1 conference for black men in the country. Every year men and teens from all across the city come together to uplift, empower, and enlighten each other in one space. Featuring legendary Chicago speakers such as D. Rose, G Herbo, and more, The WayMaker summit has filled a void in Chicago that brings unity and promotes perseverance within our Chicago male population.
MARKETING/ EVENTS
EventNoire – is the FUBU of ticketing for the culture. The premiere event platform has set strides in the industry especially as of recent working with Kanye West providing exceptional services for music lovers and event goers alike. We’re manifesting every cultural event, Party, panel, private listening, etc. goes through Event Noire.
DTLR (Mike Streetz & John Ester)
Nathan Gilbert
Jordan Summer Series
Ballinois Bri
Duane Armour
SPKRBX
93 Boyz – From Cannabis to community Vic Mensa and the 93 Boys has been making an impact on Chicago all 2023. They’ve amplified the Chicago cannabis industry and have made sure to keep their hands in the community as well. This holiday season, 93 BOYZ partnered with The Delta in Wicker Park to help feed those in need.
Makinde Adedapo
Eric “Gucci” Wilson
Brinton Flowers
RADIO
TERRESTRIAL RADIO
- WGCI- The Chi’s #1 for Hip Hop and R&B has made a great motive to not only play the hottest artists in the industry but include our hometown superstars as well. Starting with Home Turf where Chicago artists are celebrated for their work and music ability. The WGCI Music Summit gives artists an exclusive pass to some of the industry’s biggest execs and shines far from any narrative that our radio stations do not help our hometown artists. From Big Jam to Summer Jam there’s been a space for artists from our city to shine on the biggest stage in Chicago. Their collaboration with From the Block at Big Jam and People’s Choice Cyphers with Sprite showcased at the United Center for the entire land to see has brought a new balance to being a major station and owning the term goalkeepers of radio.
- Tone Kapone
- Zach Boog
- Leon Rogers
- Jamal Smallz
- Bree Specific
- Hotrod
- Lil Cuz
- KeKe
- Trey White
- Streetz 95.1
- Frankie Robinson
- Kye Young
- Power 92
- DJ Pharris
- Money Maha
- AfroZons
- Raw Tv Radio
- Dj RDouble
- DJ Nehpets
- Bam
- Paris Taylor
- Ricky Rampage
- Cas
- Q Jackson
- Briah Banks
- Vocalo
- Bekoe
- JoJo Alonso
INTERNET RADIO
- New Wave – Over 1 million views in counting from her Baddie Barz segment featuring Chicago’s new wave of noise makers in music. The New Wave show hosted by your favorite Chocolate baddie Mary Jhay, has been the pinnacle of putting on new artists in 2023. The Baddie Barz with Sin The Winner, Mello Buckzz, and more from this year has definitely put New Wave on the map of separating the rappers from the real artists.
- My Radio Chicago
- Illanoize Radio
- Illinois Jones, Bekeo, Pretty Riot
TV/STREAMING
- Dometi Pongo- Chicago bred, and now a national television personality, Dometi is the face of let’s represent Chicago in the most authentic way. From planting seeds at Chicago’s historic news station WVON 1690AM, to hosting some of MTV’s most prominent cultural pieces to date, Dometi is the definition of a true Chicago boy who represents his city extremely well.
- DJ U
- 16 SHOT EM
- Korporate
- Skin Bone
- Drea O Show
- FYB J MANE
PODCASTING
- What More Can I Say Podcast
- Sad boy Radio- Taking a different angle on a culturally based podcast, Sad Boy Radio is here for mental wellness and expanding the mission of digging into the artist’s point of view. They focus on different aspects of the ordinary creative’s professional journey, personal life, and the impact they’ve made in the Chicago industry.
- The Ghetto Flower
- Tree House- Is where the cousins play. The Tree House podcast is for anyone who has something to say. In a climate where everyone wants to start their own platform, Tree House understands the value of togetherness and bringing unlikely minds on one accord. The most welcoming and engaging environment of all Chicago platforms, Tree House podcast is sure to bring you viral moments, real conversations, and authentic Chicago antics from the everyday city girls and boys.
- The Corner Convo
- Terry Roseland Podcast
- The Chi Podcast
- WHAT MORE CAN I SAY
Publications/Internet
- Rome J/The Triibe
- DJ First Class
- Shawn Grant/The Source
- Mark Braboy
- JR BANG
- Andrew barber/Fake Shore Drive
- Larry Is Legend
- True Star
- Don’t be late
- Plugged Soundz
- The Chicago Wave
- 4 Shooters Only
- Precise (RollingOut)
- These Days
- AC the Plug
- 247HH
- Don’t Do Coke
- The Juice Chicago
- Purple box videos
- Real Ones– has been one of the most improved platforms of 2023. As an artist in Chicago, if you’re not looking to be featured on Real Ones, are you even a real artist in Chicago? From creating content, interviews, and coordinating music showcases for premiere artists in the city. Real Ones is the next new premiere artist platform in Chicago and they have definitely proved their spot.
Music / Entertainment Business
- Bo Deal
- Dave Jeff
- Joe Fresh Goods
- Fashion Geek
- Private Stock
- Kenya H
- Don C
- Doe
- Dough From da Go
- LDRS
- Cole Bennett/Lyrical Lemonade
- Derrick Hardy
- J.IVY
- Boog Da Beast
- C.Sick
- Taylor Bennett
- Digital Dash- President of Urban A&R for Geffen Records, Dash has always been a force for making sure talented Chicago artists elevate to mainstream status. Working with hometown artists such as Dreezy, Lil Bibby, Juice Wrld, & more, Dash defines what a music goalkeeper is in our city and continues to strive for leading with talent to build his legacy.
- Wayne Hampton/Create Music Group
- Flawless Ent.
- Merk
- Complex Studios
- Shake Phelps
- Hurricane
- Mikkey Halsted
- Mitch Gaddis / Covert Operations
- OG Dino
- Chella H
- Dex Millions
- John Monopoly
- Hustle Simmons
- Darryl Jones Esq(Lawyer)
- Charles Harrington III Esq (Lawyer)
- Naja Imani Hawk Esq (Lawyer)
- ATS (AT THE STUDIO)
- No More heroes- who had an amazing year? No More Heroes definitely did! From the top artists showcases, to signing the hardest artists in Chicago, and producing videos for Fendi, Sexy Red, Pooh Shiesty, etc. If you utter Chicago within the music industry, you have to mention No More Heroes. A collective of Chicagoans who love pushing the culture forward and gaining knowledge in mainstream hip hop. They’ve also opened their own music production studio within the lower west side of Chicago.
- LSD Studio
- Classick Studios
- Happy
- DJ L
- DJ Victorious
- Chris Minto
- D.Brooks Exclusive
- Josh K (The Spaceship Chicago)
- DJ BANDZ
- OakStreet Media
- Joseph Cabey
- Beleshia “Lyrical” Mcculley
- Kosine
- Miriah Mark
- Drew Harley
- Connect The Starrs
- Shaun Redwell
- Grade A
- Tayler Nash
- Pete
- Lil Bibby
- G Money
- Steve Cannon
- Manny Treo
- Benda World
- Born Leaders
- Black Wealth Music Group
Community
- Project Swish
- Englewood Barbie
- Social Works
- Delilah / The Mural Movement
- Phatal
- Williams Calloway
- 6D Networktainment
- Englewood Branded
- Healthy Hood- a pivotal part of the community Healthy Hood is a non for profit organization that has made sure to show their integrity and service to the Chicago community through culture, music, servitude, and more. Serving in the Pilsen neighborhood, Healthy Hood provides affordable resources for the surrounding communities and undeserved people of the community.
- Chairman Fred Hampton Jr
- Unity/Goalden Chyld
- Add 2
- Recoe Chi
- Chi Gives Back
- Public Equity
- Dcase
- Englewood Branded
- PepRally Takeover- Connecting the community to the students who live in it. Pep Rally Takeover by Hot Rod and DJ B Man sets the precedence in keeping our youth engaged with their community, music, and most importantly their education. Pep Rally Takeover has collaborated with some of sports and lifestyle biggest brands to bring peace, fun, and involvement back to our Chicago schools for our youth.
- Kicks 4 the City
- Femdot/Delacreme Scholars
- Exclusive 773
- True Chicago
- Chris Crater (The Obama Foundation)
- Jeff Beckham
- The Neighborhood Hero Foundation
- The John Walt Foundation
- 3 Seeds Mentoring
DJS
- Sean Mac
- Will The Thrill
- Dj Ca$h Era
- DJ Amaris
- DJ Milticket
- DJ VDUB
- DJ AM PM
- DJ MIKE P
- DJ MUSTAFA ROCKS
- DJ KCEASER
- DJ LIL CORIE
- DJ Nehpets
- DJ Commando
- DJ LOUIE V
- DJ SIMMY
- JAMAL SMALLZ
- DJ HOOP DREAMS
- DJ D93
- DJ DRIP
- DJ MILE HIGH
- Jukie Tha Kidd
- DJ Shon
- YDot Gdot
- Nosike- An international sensation when it comes to creating the vibes for any event. From Afrobeats to House music, Nosike is as adaptable as they come. Sprouting from a music publishing background and continuously working with specialty music artists in Chicago, Nosike is a fresh new take on Goalkeeper.In the 2023 year, not only has she made her name as one of the most versatile DJs in the city, she’s also become the official DJ for Mielle Organics- the largest black owned hair company in the country. Most recently she had the opportunity to spin at Kanye West’s Miami listening event.
- DJ BG
- DJ B MAN
- DJ OREO
- DJ Pharris- The legend himself. DJ Pharris leads the pack of top tier DJs in the midwest area and nationwide. His iconic “THIS CHICAGO N*GGA,” put Chicago on the map as the premiere city of flourishing music and continuous involvement in the industry. When it comes to Chicago you have to check in with DJ Pharris for the city stamp. He has also evolved into a bigger music bag with his production and releases of his own music featuring Hip hop greats like Chance The Rapper, Wiz Khalifa, and more. There is no one in the midwest like our very own DJ Pharris.
- Shoutout to all the DJS we couldn’t list!
FILM/VIDEO/PHOTO
Will Gates
Leo Allen
Christopher Lockridge
O Visualz
Tito (Got It Lens)
Diamond Deshon Photography
Public Market
Miguel Visuals
Royal T Media
Troy Proyor
Hypno Carlito
Akisha Lockhart
Kandid Kam
