Mark Braboy

Good morning! I’ve spent a hours writing and rewriting what I want to say right now. Particularly about why I’ve been MIA lately, what all I’ve been working on and the mental/physical health issues Ive had to overcome lately. Being in the dark tells you a lot. Especially about how people actually value you and what they value you for. I could say a lot, but I’ll get into that another day.

I think one person who understands what Im talking about is Chief Keef who too had to get away from everything and everyone who tried to destroy him all these year ago. Someone who’s clear, sound, and sharper than ever. I had a rare conversation with him for Chicago Sun-Times ahead of his returning show to Chicago. Not Illinois, CHICAGO, CHICAGO.

In this reported profile, I spoke to Sosa, Idris D***s, his Uncle Zo, and his A&R Sophie Kautz about why this moment is so special after being maligned in the city and having been gone for so many years. We talked about his appearance at Kanye’s historic show at Soldier Field and how he even gotten to the point where he could perform in the city without CPD interference, how he’s ready to move on from Los Angeles, and how he carries deep relationship between him and his beloved grandmother Margaret Carter in his music. Though our conversation was a bit short, I had such colorful conversation with him and he’s faaaar brighter and more aware than what people understand. And his new joint Skeletor is such a gem!

I hope you guys enjoy this one and it resonates. Believe me, this isn’t gonna the last time I speak to Keef.

I’d like to take the time out to thank Idris D***s and the good people at Audible Treats and 43B for rocking with me. And I especially would like to thank MYSELF!!!! I wanna thank myself because no one handed me this or picked me to do this. I DID THIS ON MY OWN!!!! I MANIFESTED THIS THE SAME I MANIFESTED A LOT OF THINGS MY CAREER!!! I PUT IN THE WORK AND OVERCAME MY ISSUES TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!! I made this happen when a lot of people turned their back on me. Hell, I turned my back on myself at one point. Not anymore. And trust me… I’m not done yet.

Link in bio, fam! SHARE MY LINK NOT JUST THE PICTURE!

Captured some cool stills of Lil M.U.’s headlining performance at From The ‘GO Fest for Block Club Chicago! Threw in some BTS just to show you all that Lil M.U. doesn’t mess around when it comes to her sets. In fact I’d argue she works harder on her sets than certain larger artists who sit in their dressing room all day, get high, and rap none of their words on stage lol!

Go read my profile of Lil M.U. and her journey leading up to this point. I’ve been following her all year all that time, scouting, and ground work lead to this profile and these images. When you’re reading my Chicago stories in particular, those aren’t just one interview like some of my interviews with bigger artists. These are done with at least 6 months to 3 years of scouting, surveillance, listening to the actual music, and building relationships. That’s most of my Chicago writing is as deep as it is and how I come with exclusive images sometime.

Also, IM AVAILABLE FOR ANY AND ALL PHOTOGRAPHY WORK!!!! CONCERTS, FESTIVALS, EVENTS, YOU NAME IT!!!

Welp! I finally had a chance to chop it up with Chicago’s hottest sensation Lil M.U. for Block Club Chicago ahead of her debut Lollapalooza set. For this one, I made my way to the True Star festival and caught her headlining performance. It was where I took the grand opportunity to interview her incredible mom, Taylor Bennett whose her manager, and DeAnna who all gave me some incredible stores of Lil M.U.’s creativity. Thank you all for rocking with me for the story. It was certainly a journey but we those conversations were incredible. Big thanks to Lil Mu and the whole team for rocking with me.

Link in bio, fam! Share, comment, like, do it all! Hit the link in the bio.

Caught up with one of my favorites 👑GLiZOCK👑 at his Project X album signing at Reckless Records in Chicago. Of course the city’s gonna show up to support as Chicago’s one of his most loyal markets. Even going back when Dolph was still alive (LL🐬🐬🐬).

And you all should listen to Project X because it’s one of strongest albums yet amongst an already stellar catalog.

Alright! I know im late posting all this stuff, but here’s my 2026 Summer Smash package for Chicago Sun-Times! The most extensive coverage I’ve ever done on a music festival. I’ve written 5 incredible stories covering/interviewing at least a dozen artists, industry insiders, and organizations while reviewing some incredible sets from Summer Smash. I spoke to Raq Baby and gotten deep about the car crash he survived for the Summer Smash preview, reviewed all three nights, and gave Adamn Killa his own review. His presence was so dominant beyond the internet.

And this was an interesting Summer Smash.

Shot it while having a near full memory card. I had to shoot every set I could with only 32 shots a piece.

Then I left my camera behind at the pit and found a kind Black girl watching it. I gave her $20 for not letting nobody steal it.

MAF Teeski and are both Geminis and share the same birthday.

I wrote reviews, took photos and shot an entire interview I released on my own platform by myself.

Ashlee Rezin, Candace Dane Chambers, and Manuel (what’s his IG), your images were truly amazing and helped bring all this to life.

The underlying themes of family in these artists performances are slept on too. I appreciated seeing that more than anything and they don’t talk about it enough.

I met all my damn print deadlines! I had to step my game up from last year to this year and cover this festival with a veteran lens. I really think this is some of my best festival coverage of all time since I covered the final Pitchfork Music Festival.

I’d argue that the Sun Times produced the best coverage on Summer Smash out of any publication this year. And I know this because I can’t find a single paper of that has my work nor Erica Thompson cover story on Cole Bennett.

And I’ll tell you something else right now, every time I write about Hip Hop, for the Sun Times or the Tribune, THE PAPER ALWAYS SELLS OUT!!!! I seen this multiple times for my own eyes since I covered the Chief Keef show for Sun Times in 2024. Same with this one!

Links to all my Summer Smash coverage in my bio, fam!

Some of my favorite stills and portraits from the 2026 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash. All verticals today. Every year is different and there’s always interesting memories I associate with this one. Also, never thought I would have been shooting Skrillex of all people! I’m amazed I took a decent DJ picture for once because I usually suck at those 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

I’ll be posting more pics and FINALLY ALL MY WRITTEN MATERIAL very soon. It’s a whole package on the way. I was something like a one man multimedia outlet 🤣🤣🤣.

Like, share, and comment on my flicks! Spread em!

The 🍋🍋🍋 boys are back! Get near! Stand clear! It’s on this weekend! You know what time it is. Summer Smash season!