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Bekoe has been Vocalo’s morning host for the last four and a half years. From his teenage years of making beats for aspiring high school rappers to his commitment to local music discovery at iLLANOiZE and Vocalo, Bekoe’s passions have always centered on uplifting Chicago’s music scene. Through highlighting Chicago talent, Bekoe hopes to create a platform for the local artists of today and tomorrow. This is what his Chicago sounds like.
As Vocalo’s terrestrial signal shuts down at the end of May, Vocalo audio and community storytelling producer Ari Mejia highlights members of the Vocalo Team for the last several segments of “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like.” Bekoe’s shows, The Windy City Hour and Mornings With Bekoe, are scheduled to end on May 28.
This segment of “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like” was edited and produced by Ari Mejia. Follow Bekoe on Instagram and Twitter @officialbekoe.

‘The Fall Guy’ follows Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a stuntman for world-famous actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who abandons the industry and his girlfriend, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), following an accident on set. When Ryder is cast in a new film directed by Moreno, Seavers is lured back into the game later by producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) at what he believes is the request of his ex. But arriving on set, he learns it’s because Meyer needs him to track down Ryder, who’s gone missing. As he tries to bring back the star, reconnect with Moreno and save the film, Seavers finds himself a real-life stuntman as he lands in the middle of international crimes much bigger than he had imagined. Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder shares his thoughts on the film, which he describes as “an action movie on steroids” — though it has some flaws.
‘The Fall Guy’ landed in theaters on May 3. Find showtimes at thefallguymovie.com. "The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Chicago photographer Kenn Cook Jr. highlights the beauty of his West Side home with new project #MyWestSideStory. Already a community advocate, working with organizations benefiting the West Side like the NAACP, Cook found his advocacy niche in documenting the everyday life of his family and neighbors through photography. He showcases the spirit of the West Side with rich, authentic portraits, and hopes to encourage future generations to continue the community’s culture and keep fighting for positive change. This is what his Chicago sounds like.
This segment of “This Is What Chicago Sounds Like” was edited and produced by Ari Mejia. See some of Kenn Cook Jr.’s work at bykenncook.com or @bykenncook on Instagram.

On April 27, the South Chicago Dance Theatre leapt into its seventh season at the Auditorium Theatre. Founded by Kia Smith in 2017, the dance company has performed on stages across the globe. Their 2024 performance, titled “New Horizons,” included six works by five outsourced choreographers, and one by Smith herself. The company centers on concert dance, a culmination of styles including ballet and Afro-jazz intentionally created for the stage. Before the performance, founder and executive artistic director Kia Smith sat down with Vocalo host Nudia Hernandez to discuss the company’s roots and what audiences can expect from their performance.
This interview was edited and produced by Nudia Hernandez. To stay up to date with the South Chicago Dance Theatre, follow them on Instagram @southchicagodancetheatre

Set against the backdrop of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green public housing project in the early ‘90s, ‘We Grown Now' (written and directed by Minhal Baig) follows the lives of two young boys as they navigate the trials and tribulations of their community. Reggie "The Reel Critic" Ponder spoke with Blake Cameron James and Jurnee Smollett, who play the characters Malik and Dolores, to hear more about the film. ‘We Grown Now’ is playing at Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center until May 2.
"The Reel Critic" is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.

Reggie “The Reel Critic” Ponder gives his insights into ‘Challengers,’ a new sports romance drama from director Luca Guadagnino. The film stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a tennis star-turned-coach amid a messy, decades-long love triangle with her husband Art (Mike Faist) and his best friend Partick (Josh O’Connor). 'Challengers' blurs the lines between love and competition, guiding viewers through a tale where tennis is a backdrop to the intense battle for affection and dominance. ‘Challengers’ is in theaters now.
“The Reel Critic” is hosted and produced by Reggie Ponder. Follow Reggie on Twitter and Instagram @TheReelCritic, and on Facebook @ReggieTheReelCritic.