MUSIC: OTF CHINO MANAGER OF LIL DURK KILLED LAST NIGHT

With his debut album Remember My Name slated for a May 12th release and his Signed To The Streets 3 mixtape on the way as well, Lil Durk now has some terribly sad news to deal with.

After losing his cousin OTF Nunu to a shooting last year, the young Chicago rapper has to lay another member of his camp to rest.

It’s being reported this morning that Durk’s manager OTF Chino was shot and killed last night, just minutes after the release of his “Faneto” freestyle.

VIDEO: TINK- "RATCHET COMMANDMENTS"

Directed by Dave Meyers

Produced by Timbaland

The Chicago rapper dons a series of costumes from choir girl to Egyptian queen to preach her anti-Instagram “you can’t sit with us” message that might be catchy but suffers from some serious slut-shaming vibes. The song takes place in a dystopian warehouse church setting with plenty of back-up dancers to help Tink spread her gospel. It was directed by Dave Meyers, who has done visuals for Missy Elliot, OutKast, Rihanna, and others.

SPORTS: BULLS PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Chicago Bulls tickets for the eight games in the 2015 NBA Playoffs Rounds 1 and 2 will go on sale on Friday at 11 a.m., the team announced Thursday. Tickets can be purchased by visiting Bulls.com, NBATickets.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.

All fans are encouraged to wear red when attending home playoff games. Details on game times, dates and opponents will be released by the NBA after the regular season ends.

(link below)

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Chicago-Bulls-Playoff-Tickets-on-Sale-Friday-297720301.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

NEWS: 24 HOUR BURGER KING COMING TO WICKER PARK

A franchisee with the fast-food giant announced plans Thursday to open a Burger King outpost in a small storefront at 1215 N. Milwaukee Ave. sandwiched between a Food Mart and a Fifth Third Bank. The site used to house a Cricket Wireless store.

Franchisee Faisal Poonja said that he eventually hopes to keep the restaurant open 24 hours a day, but will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily for the first few months. He aims to open the restaurant by May 15.

(link below)

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150326/wicker-park/wicker-park-burger-king-headed-milwaukee-avenue-will-be-open-24-hours

MUSIC: RICKY LANCE F/ TAYLOR BENNETT- "PARADISE"

RICKY LANCE AND TAYLOR BENNETT TEAM UP ON NEW SINGLE "PARADISE"; LISTEN TO THE NEW SONG ON RICKY-LANCE.COM

Arizona's up and coming artist Ricky Lance teams up with Chicago's rising star Taylor Bennett on their new single titled "Paradise." The upbeat track is full of tropical vibes and the combination of Lance's smooth tone and Bennett's high energy is sure to put you in the best of moods.

SPORTS: LITTLE LEAGUE FALLOUT CONTINUES WITH DISBANDMENT OF DISTRICT 4

The fallout from the Jackie Robinson West Little League scandal continued on Wednesday as Little League International announced its intentions to disband Illinois District 4, which is the home district of Jackie Robinson West and five other teams.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the early plan would see Jackie Robinson West move to Illinois District 12, along with Near South and Bronzeville. South Side, Rosemoor and Roseland would join Illinois District 7.

(link below)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/chi-jackie-robinson-west-little-league-move-20150311-story.html

NEWS: CHICAGO MOVIE PREMIERE ABOUT EL CHAPO CANCELLED

An independent film maker's movie raising questions about the validity of the arrest last year of Chapo Guzman, the most notorious drug kingpin in Mexico, was slated to open at a Chicago theater Friday. But early Wednesday morning, Charlie Minn was informed the showing at the Regal City North Stadium theater had been cancelled.

“It's played in 20 other US cities, we haven't even had a hint of a problem. This email that I got… was disappointing to say the least. I was told it was a security issue, they were afraid of violence,” said film maker Charlie Minn.

The film Es El Chapo, which translated means Is it Chapo is an important film to show in Chicago, Minn said, because of the large Hispanic population in Chicago. Chicago is one of the major US cities for el Chapo's Siniloa Cartel's heroin distribution operation.

“The movie will play at some point in Chicago, I'm going to try and bring it back in a couple of weeks at another theater,” he said.

(link below)

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/28399568/security-concerns

VIDEO: LIL BIBBY & LIL HERB- "KILL SH*T PT 2"

Lil Herb & Lil Bibby made their leap into the music industry with their breakout track 'Kill Shit', and today they are back with Part 2.

SPORTS: POST GAME FIGHT OVERSHADOWS GOOD WIN FOR NORTH LAWNDALE OVER MARSHALL

The Class 3A sectional semifinal game at Westinghouse between North Lawndale and Marshall concluded with a brawl between the two schools and people in the stands, a Westinghouse on-site official and North Lawndale head coach Lewis Thorpe confirmed to CSN. Multiple reports on Twitter indicated that the two Chicago Public League Red-West rivals got into a brawl at the conclusion of a heated contest on Wednesday night.

"At the conclusion of the game, the teams were going through the postgame handshake after a physical game. It was reported to me that a player from Marshall struck a player from North Lawndale to start the incident," the Westinghouse on-site official, who wished to remain anonymous, told CSN. North Lawndale won the game over the Commandos, 70-62, but the result of the game was overshadowed by the brawl, which escalated quickly and spilled onto the court from the stands.

(link below)

http://www.csnchicago.com/preps/brawl-breaks-out-between-north-lawndale-and-marshall-ihsa-playoffs

VIDEO: KATIE GOT BANDZ- "39 BARS"

Chicago’s own Katie Got Bandz liberates us with a new visual where she spits “39 bars” over the production of Block On Da Trakk.

NEWS: CHIDITAROD CELEBRATES ITS 10TH YEAR IN CHICAGO

Chiditarod celebrated its 10th year in Chicago Saturday with a shopping cart race slash pub crawl parade that benefited the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the CHIditarod Foundation. This year, 139 costume-clad teams raced to 11 bars with different activities for a chance to win prizes.

Before race day, the teams collect food and raise money for the event, which Diane Beck, Chiditarod event coordinator and board member, said was a success.

(link below)

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150307/west-town/chiditarod-brings-30k-for-charity-during-epic-shopping-cart-race

NEWS: LONGER COMMUTES AHEAD FOR CHICAGO'S RED LINE TRAVELERS

A year of longer morning commutes begins Monday for up to 19,000 Red and Purple Express Line riders as the CTA begins the next phase of its $203 million Wilson Station Reconstruction project.

Loop drivers also face some changes due to other CTA work starting Monday. Wabash Avenue will be closed between Washington and Madison starting before the morning rush Monday and lasting for the next 18 months to allow work on the CTA’s new Washington-Wabash station.

Due to the Wilson Station work, Loop-bound Purple Express customers could see their morning-rush lengthened between four and six minutes; Loop-bound Red Line North passengers may see a two- to four-minute longer morning ride. That will be the result of the shutting down the western-most of four tracks between Wilson and Belmont, CTA officials say.

(link below)

http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/7/71/420112/cta-red-line-commutes-wabash-closed

SPORTS: BEARS TRADE BRANDON MARSHALL TO THE NEW YORK JETS

The Jets sent a fifth-round pick to the Bears in exchange for Marshall. The Bears were reportedly seeking a mid-round pick in return for Marshall, according to reports on Thursday.

The move saves the Bears considerable room under the salary cap. Marshall's $7.5 million salary becomes guaranteed on March 12, said to be a major consideration for the Bears in dealing him. His cap hit this season is $9.575 million. He's signed through 2017, and his cap numbers are similar through the life of his deal. The Jets have more than $50 million in cap space, but may still opt to rework the deal.

MUSIC: MADONNA'S REBEL HEART TOUR TO HIT CHICAGO

Madonna on Sunday announced dates for her 35-city "Rebel Heart" Tour, including a Sept. 28 stop at the United Center in Chicago.

Tickets for the show go on sale March 9, one day before the North America release of her 13th studio album of the same name. The tour kicks of Aug. 29 in Miami, with the North American leg finishing in Los Angeles on Oct. 27 before heading to Europe.

VIDEO: FREDO SANTANA- "HALF OF IT"

Fredo Santana "Half of It" Music Video

Directed by @NICKBRAZINSKY

visual produced by @TWINCITYCEO

VIDEO: BOP KING DLOW- "POOR CONNECTION"

Directed by Forman James

The Bop king is back with another viral smash for fans, see if it lives up to the hype below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/poo... to purchase the MP3 download of #PoorConnection on iTunes!

http://www.OfficialBopKingDLOW.com

MUSIC: BJ THE CHICAGO KID CONTINUES HOT STREAK LINKS WITH E&J

Raise a glass with us as we enthusiastically welcome Raphael Saadiq, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Lee Fields to the E&J family. We have partnered with these amazing artists to tell the story of Soul through the generations. Enjoy this exclusive sneak peak of Generations of Soul!

POLITICS: FOIAFEST IN THANKS TO THE LATE MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON

And if you’ve filed, or will file, a FOIA in Chicago, your ability to do that dates back to Harold Washington, who made the first big strides in trying to transform local government into a transparent, data-driven institution.

On march 14th, the Chicago Headline Club is throwing FOIAFest, which is sort of like Lollapalooza for people who want to get information from government bodies (and full disclosure, Chicago will be there—editor David Bernstein will walk attendees through the process he used to get information for his feature last year, The Truth About Chicago Crime Rates).

Pictured above Harold Washington at DuSable High School, February 1983

(link below)

http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/March-2015/If-Youve-Filed-a-FOIA-Thank-Harold-Washington/index.php?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

MUSIC: G.O.O.D MUSIC AND KANYE WEST SIGN CHICAGO ARTIST HOLLYWOOD HOLT

The Chicago rapper, also known as Hollywood Holt, is the newest member of G.O.O.D. Music’s roster, which includes Big Sean, Pusha T, John Legend, Q-Tip, and Teyana Taylor.

Holt shared the good news with his Twitter followers. “I’m excited to announce this morning that I just signed to #GOODmusic and my music is FINALLY coming out!! Be on the look out for new music!!!!! #HOLT2015 #GOODmusic,” he tweeted along with a video of him jumping out of a window.

Holt's manager tells Billboard Holt is not rapping on his new album at all. "It's like if Joy Division, The Strokes and Dr. Dre made an album," she said.

NEWS: OPRAH WINFREY CLOSING CHICAGO HARPO STUDIOS AND MOVING TO LA

By year’s end, Winfrey’s Chicago-based Harpo Studios will close its doors, with the 26-year-old company's productions transitioning to OWN headquarters in Los Angeles.

CHICAGO UNSIGNED HYPE INTERVIEW W/ SMYTH DA KID

Chicago EST.1837 recently caught up with young rising Hiphop artist 'Smyth Da Kid'

1. Introduce yourself and what you stand for as an artist.

I am an artist from Chicago who go by the name Smyth da kid. I stand for an artist in the hood who grinding to get out.

2. What inspired you to become a serious indie artist?

What inspired me to became an indie artist was me growning up around a lot of negativity and me wanting more out of life made me decide to use music as an outlet out the hood, and I love music so that's a plus.

3. Any projects, visuals or big events that stad out in your career so far?

I would say two opening acts I did for "Queen of Chicago" Shawna and Bone Crusher both at Bill Board Live in Chicago was some of the major shows I have done I also was a special guess performer at Battle of the Mixtapes hosted by J- Wunda of Chi-Industry. My first solo mixtape "Life with Banz" hosted by VonC of Bang of Music on datpiff was a big success.

4. Whats your favorite hip hop album of all time?

I would say tupac All eyez on me was my favor hip hop album of all times because I can relate to the pain n realist throughout the whole album.

5. If you could collab with any major recording artist who would it be & why?

If I was to collab with any Artist it would be be Lil Wayne of Young Money because he have creativity with music and I like his unique style it stands out to me.

6. Where do you see yourself the next 3-5 years within the industry?

3/5 years from now I see myself still a indie artist out grinding trying to make it happen the right way. With my team (M.M.C) money money crew and (G.I.G) get it gang getting this money with me.

Follow His Progress...

Instagram.com/SmythDaKid_gig

Twitter.com/DiauntaSmith

Soundcloud.com/SmythDaKid

MUSIC: KANYE WEST ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM TITLE & RELEASES ARTWORK

Kanye has announced the title of his eighth solo album and shared its official artwork "So Help Me God"

No word on an official release date, but stay tuned for more details.

VIDEO: KING LOUIE- "RIGHT NOW"

The official WorldStarHipHop premiere of King Louie’s "Right Now" music video directed by Hi-Def.

SPORTS: DERRICK ROSE POWERADE COMMERCIAL

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? - Tupac Shakur

RIP CHICAGO SPORTS LEGEND MINNIE MINOSO

Major league baseball legend Minnie Miñoso, known as the Cuban Comet and Mr. White Sox, has died. Miñoso, who hailed from Havana, Cuba, played 12 of his 17 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, after getting his start in the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 1949.

The left fielder hit 135 homers and 808 RBIs for the White Sox. His number 9 was retired by the team in 1983, and today there's a statue of Miñoso at the field where the White Sox play.

NEWS: MARIJUANA CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM

As marijuana laws across the United States begin to change, a host of startups have emerged in what is now one of America's fastest-growing industries: cannabis production. And as startups look for funding, a Chicago-based company wants to help marijuana entrepreneurs easily find investors through crowdfunding.

CannaFundr, headquartered in Chicago with offices in Florida, Michigan and New Jersey, has created an online investment marketplace for companies in the weed industry, allowing cannabis startups to access accredited investors. Investers are able to co-invest in deals, and startups can get the funding they need without traveling to pitches across the country. Earlier this month DC-based startup New Frontier Financials, the "Bloomberg for Weed," received $250,000 in funding via CannaFundr.

CannaFundr says it has a network of thousands of investors, many of which have made previous investments in the marijuana space. Investors can browse deals, ask questions to startup founders, and attend CannaFundr webinars. CannaFundr is owned by CrowdFund Connect, Inc, which manages a network of crowdfunding sites.

(link below)

http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/28/marijuana-legalization-cannafundr-crowdfunding-startup-for-weed-industry/