City So Real with Kevin Coval

There is a complexity in the language spoken and expressed within the streets and the blocks where graffiti writers are bred. In this conversation, Kevin chops it up with one of the OG pioneering writers of the ‘80s. The story of Pengo’s name is as rich as his history in the Austin neighborhood — a Polish kid growing up on Chicago’s black and brown West Side. Pengo is very specific about his calli...

There is something about the fitness of writing. The exercise of it. Paris Rosenthal has crafted a life that is equal parts best-selling author and revered personal trainer. In this convo, Kevin and Paris track the discipline of both lanes through the lens of loss and discovering the life you want most. The tangents are plenty as Paris recounts the experience co-writing a #1 New York Times best-se...

This is a conversation about trusting your journey. Ashok Selvam is a James Beard award-winning food writer with a passionate vision for how stories should be gathered and shared. In this convo, Kevin and Ashok get into the heart of why journalism is best served by empaths. You’ll hear about Ashok’s childhood journeys along Devon Avenue and his drive to support/create worker-owned businesses. Plus...

This week we roll through the evolution of a sort of OG of hip hop culture and organizing in Chicago. Larry Miller ’s supreme talent as an MC is equalled by his drive to make space for others at the mic. Over the past two decades he’s been filling even more rooms as a DJ all over the city. Larry has navigated all kinds of neighborhoods with his ears low to the ground, and his dad’s massive record...

Off the top. Chicago is lucky to have RAE . Her roots are Detroit, but risk and communal creativity planted RAE in this town for the long haul. During this convo, we get into the ways folks are motivated by something other than the gig they have. RAE is a photographer, who has a beautiful brand called DAILY VIIISION. She creates shoots and moments and stories with narratives that visually represen...

If you are a Chicago MC, that means you inherit a tradition of incredible penmanship within the genre. You also participate in the legacy of the best writers on the planet, starting Gwendolyn Brooks. This is a conversation about how Philmore Greene inscribes tradition, and gets tireless about redefining what the future sounds like. Philly & Kevin dip into documenting Chicago’s place in hip hop cul...

Tenacity fuels expression. Zeye-One is a graffiti writer who made the uncommon shift to studio artist. In this convo, Kevin unpacks Zeye’s path from falling in love with Frida Kahlo in 3rd grade to tirelessly merging the realities of business with her life as a creative. Her hustles are many — muralist, barber, and tattoo artist are just part of the list. Zeye is the embodiment of Chicago’s workin...

Those that are one-of-one stir some really straight talk. FatBoyGoth is someone Kevin first met as a musician that traveled in hip hop, punk, and emo. Goth has merged all his dreams into being a full-time content creator. His IG show is finding a massive following across the nation, but what are the costs of his prank stardom? This convo explores Goth’s kindness and honesty about the life he predi...

This convo hits you almost live from Kevin’s kitchen. For real. Our chat crawls through all the explorations of Shawnimals. His work is seen on over two dozen murals across the city, or you might know his playful creations from Rotofugi. Shawnimals is a multi-talented artist, toy maker, illustrator, and curator of ideas. His entrepreneurial spirit looms large in this conversation about being ready...

We seem drawn to conversations with entrepreneurs. There’s something about the “go get it” spirit that is indicative of Chicago’s DNA. The city is often held together by folks making a go of their dream. In this chat, Kevin connects with Georgianna Williams Dominguez, co-creator of G & G Home , whose elevated aesthetic can fly right down to earth in a heartbeat. Georgianna’s story is one of wild p...

Hustling is a journey that is for seekers. In this convo, Kevin goes deep on Chicago’s legendary streetwear scene with Frank Dukes of Pillars . This chat gets into the delicate balance of brotherhood, and an entrepreneurial awakening. Frank’s story is one that embodies the tradition of Maxwell Street vendors and why each of us needs to find our lane — then chase self-actualizaiton. Get full access...

A place maker honors the block with an honesty that folks on the outside can’t comprehend. Pugs Atomz has a robust practice of placemaking in Englewood while still sustaining prolific work creating visual and sonic art. In this chat, Kevin gets after Pugs’ work as an MC, writer, and musician — including his founding of Nacrobats , a crew that defined hip hop culture in the ‘90s and early aughts. Y...

This is a conversation about how a pastry chef and an architect cooked up an underground bagel movement . It started with Hannah’s recipe that staffs craved at the Michelin-starred restaurants where she worked. In this convo, Kevin goes deep with Hannah and Mike about how they created Tilly Bagel Shop . The couple gets fired up about “bagel wars” and why Chicago deserves local spots with authentic...

There’s a spot in East Humboldt Park that pays homage to Chicago’s classic tradition of the department store. Harper’s Studio Vintage is curated and lovingly imagined by Melvin Thompson, a South Side community organizer who has spread his timeless vibe north. In this convo, Kevin unpacks what is fly about Melvin’s mid-century style and why it is so ageless. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at k...

Cecil Rodriguez (aka FatCap ) is a Michelin-starred chef who got tired of chasing other people’s dreams. He has a devotion to connecting others through communal experiences with dining that explores unforgettable flavors. In this convo, Kevin & FatCap kick around the notion of food appropriation and get into the roots of his devotion to hip hop culture. Plus, you’ll pick up on his search to both h...

This conversation is about artistic bloodlines, and the social forces that fuel creators in Chicago. Elise Seigenthaler & Sébastien Johnson are partners in life and curation. Both have separate practices. Elise opened a gallery this year in West Town, and Sébastien has seen the World Cup reignite his work as a painter. Both are French-American, and could choose any place on the planet to practice...

Jean Cate comes to the shores of Lake Michigan by way of Cali. It appears Chicago has a firm grip on her heart, and in this conversation Jean tells Kevin how and why that happened. You’ll also hear about her varied approach to painting as an abstract naturalist, and why place-making fuels her life as a human being. You can see her work and the varied works of dozens at The Center of Order and Expe...

The artistic corners of Chicago have the same ethos as the city’s roots in manufacturing. Ian Fugett is inspired by the work ethic of artisans of all kinds in DIY and beyond. That fire pushed Ian to create the pub , a print-only newspaper the fuels friction. In this conversation, Kevin and Ian talk about Chicago as a cultural mecca with working-class artists and how to nurture that life in real sp...

In many ways, the work of John Caleb Pendleton is about the beauty of grief. As he honors the short life of flowers, he reminds us how precious time is. During this convo, Kevin talks with John about his Alabama roots and his complicated relationship with Chicago. Through his floral studio Planks & Pistils , John is an artist and community creator dedicated to telling black stories in the most uni...

The DIY spirit is often made perfect in the city of Chicago. Few others embody that vibe like Cassius Tae . In this chat, you’ll hear how Cassius crafted a life as a writer, designer, and rapper. Plus, Cassius shares how he kicks up his compassion as a mentor to creators with an event called The Writers Room. Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/subscribe

This is a conversation about being called home to the family business. Bobby Whittingham is a 4th generation entrepreneur in one of Chicago's most storied industries. In this chat, Kevin tracks the story of Bobby's great grandfather, who started a meat packing legend with a 100 bucks in 1947. How is it that Whittingham Meats has survived nearly eight decades? Bobby drops some truths about the grit...

Why are some of us drawn to spaces where people are doing hard things? Holley Brandchaft-White has chosen that life, and has something to say about it. In this convo, Kevin talks with Holley about her journey from being a social worker in trauma units to using an MBA in pursuit of mental health innovation. Holley is the co-founder of SHFT Behavioral Health , Chicago’s first emotional wellness urge...

This conversation may be the master class on defining what Chicago has fused into hip hop culture. As Shadow Master says, “We have flavors that don’t exist anywhere else.” In this chat, Kevin talks with the creator and curator of 606 , the longest running open mic freestyle session in the world. You’ll catch how music flowed from every hallway of Shadow Master’s family house on the West Side. It t...

How does one land not so purposefully in this town? Alex Kotlowitz has a story or two to share about that. In this conversation, Kevin talks with Alex about the many ways Chicago invaded his soul as a writer — then a resident. His journalism is steeped in empathy. It’s one of the reasons he is able to tell the most difficult stories . Get full access to Kevin's Substack at kevincoval.substack.com/...

The mind of Titus Wonsey is always conceptualizing. Titus observes and creates. In this convo, Kevin and Titus walk through his current installation at Artruss to map his jorney toward artistic expression. You'll hear the details of his sweat equity to tell stories through every media imaginable -- like giant bales of ramen noodles and punctuation marks made of soap. Get full access to Kevin's Sub...