Progressive Underground: ‘Where It Rains in Color’ reimagines beauty standards through Afro-futurism
Afro-futurism has been an emerging sub-genre within both music and literature — and it’s been rewriting the rules of engagement...
Chris Campbell is a broadcast personality/nationally-renowned tastemaker and host of the multi-genre electronic music program The Progressive Underground. He is also a correspondent for NPR (National Public Radio) curating global underground music for national segments such as "Heavy Rotation" and "Songs We Love." Campbell is the host of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “Paradise Jazz Series,” “Concerts at the Cube,” and is co-host of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre’s “Jazzy Wednesdays Summer Concert Series.”
He has also hosted events including the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Charivari Detroit Electronic Music Fest and has curated/hosted Detroit Performs LIVE on WTVS-Channel 56 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), along with hosting/moderating a variety of concerts, industry showcases, artist album releases, panel discussions, movie screenings, and press unveilings.
Campbell is also an author and music journalist who has written for national and international publications such as Smooth Jazz News, Upscale, and Examiner. He is a published author as his books “The Essential Neo-Soul” and “Essential Neo-Soul 2.0” spotlight the modern-day progressive soul music movement and are the only publications of their kind to cover the history of the modern/alternative soul community.
Mic Check: A WDET exclusive interview with Robert Glasper
Producer, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy Award-winning artist Robert Glasper has been at the vanguard of contemporary music for many years, and...
Five timeless tracks from Filipino-American songstress Tracy Cruz
Singer-songwriter Tracy Cruz was born in Quezon City on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Later relocating to San...
From Sly and the Family Stone to P-Funk, get to know funk music icon Dawn Silva in five songs
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Dawn Silva gravitated to music early on as she sang in a high school...
Detroit songbird Kathy Kosins’ versatility spans multiple decades and genres
Born in Highland Park, Michigan, Kathy Kosins worked in her family's clothing store as a child. Her father, Harry Kosins,...
How Anita Baker redefined Quiet Storm music with sophisticated soul
Legendary R&B siren Anita Baker will hold her final performance at Little Caesar’s Arena tonight. In honor of her significant...
Ego Ella May makes music that heals the soul
Having come up in the South London music scene, songstress Ego Ella May was influenced by artists such as Stevie...
Solange is a vibe all her own
Having grown up as the younger sister of Destiny Child’s lead singer Beyoncé Knowles, Solange would express an interest early...
Jody Watley enjoys longevity through constant musical evolution
Chicago-born and Los Angeles-bred Jody Watley was always drawn to the stage, having performed at age 8 with her...
From Award-Winning Journalist to Recording Artist: the Musical Journey of Evrod Cassimy
From a young age, Evrod Cassimy gravitated to music, singing in his church’s choir and showing an early acumen for...
Groundbreaking Quartet Kraftwerk Forever Revolutionized Electronic Music
Spawned from the late 1960s German experimental music community, Kraftwerk was formed in Dusseldorf, West Germany, in 1970 by Ralf Hütter...
French Sister Act Les Nubians Melds International Influences
The story of Les Nubians is a global one. Throughout their discography, the duo has used their music to transmit...