<body>Chicago-based DJ, music historian, and cultural curator Duane Powell has become a vital fixture on the global soul scene.
 
Since 1999, his Soundrotation brand has championed rising Chicago talents, notably through the Sunday Service dance party at Stony Island Arts Bank.
 
Powell actively shares Chicago’s rich, multi-genre history through his Rear View Mirror Sessions lecture series, presented at institutions like UChicago Arts and Stanford University.
 
He also gives back to his city by partnering with the Rebuild Foundation and serving on the board of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation.
 
Listen now here or on Apple Music, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
</body>

Conversations with brilliant minds, makers, and creators who continue to inspire and create work that define and shape our cultural landscape.

Visions of Visionaries

A Conversation with Music Historian Duane Powell

Music

<body>Meet Masaya Fantasista, the visionary founder and “captain” of the Japanese brand Jazzy Sport. What began over two decades ago as a record label and store has organically evolved into a vibrant community encompassing a dance studio, climbing gym, apparel shop, café, and even a garden. This belief in unity and collaboration extends to his vision for a more connected Asia.
At its core, Jazzy Sport is a testament to Masaya’s philosophy built on radical inclusivity, where he draws parallels between life, jazz, and sports, emphasizing teamwork and individual strengths. 
“Each member has their own personality, so it’s all different,” he explains. “You have to find out the strong points and weaknesses of your teammates… Then, you have to use the others’ strong points and help those with weaknesses. That makes a stronger team.”
On our recent visit to Japan, Globetrotter Lab’s Kennedy Ashinze sat down with Masaya. He shares more on his vision for a more united Asia, his initiative to purchase a mountain in Nagano for a dog rescue (think “Jazzy Dog”), and the importance of inclusive communities.
Special thanks to Zushi Film Festival and Cinema Caravan.
</body>

Masaya Fantasista of Jazzy Sport: Music, Sports & Uniting People

Community

Creatives

Culture

<body>At 70, Grammy-nominated Sir Kahil El’Zabar continues to push the boundaries of jazz. As the visionary leader of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, he has captivated audiences worldwide for decades.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of Kahil’s group the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. With no signs of slowing down, Sir Kahil has released his 18th album and also embarked on a historic world tour that just concluded in his hometown of Chicago.
To celebrate this milestone, we revisit our conversation with the legendary percussionist and multi-instrumentalist in which we had the honor of visiting his personal performance building/studio, “The Colabyrinth,” the labyrinth for collaboration on the west side of Chicago.
In this latest episode of our “In Convo” series, Kahil talks to Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze about witnessing music history, the state of cultural affairs and coalescing a creative culture network, inspiring and still hitting with the next generation of musicians, and more.
Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of this living icon.
Listen now!
</body>

The Timeless Maestro: A Conversation with Sir Kahil El’Zabar

Arts

<body>Rewind to our chat with Corey Gilkey at Chicago’s iconic Leaders 1354.
More than just a streetwear staple, Leaders 1354 is a movement on a mission to mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders. At its heart is its charismatic founder, Corey Gilkey, a true entrepreneur and community leader.
In our latest In Convo episode, Corey joins Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze to discuss his vision for inspiring the next generation, expanding beyond the US, his passion for community, his various entrepreneurial endeavors, and more.
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Corey Gilkey of Leaders 1354 on Community, Culture & Commerce

Design

Fashion

<body>In the new episode of our “In Convo” series, Globetrotter’s Kennedy Ashinze sits down with Daniel Mitchell, the founder of environmentally-friendly design company, Space Available.  
Despite his success as the co-founder of LN-CC in London, Mitchell left everything behind for Bali. Determined to make a real impact, in 2020, he founded Space Available to share his knowledge of sustainable designs and work with local artists to recycle plastic goods into clothes and furniture.  
<p class="encore-text encore-text-body-medium" data-encore-id="text" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-fragment="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">To Globetrotter, he talks about living and working in Bali, giving back to the community, building a better relationship with plastic, and more! 
</body>

Daniel Mitchell of Space Available on Making Space for Nature

<body>Jakarta’s acclaimed Pantja Bar is raising a glass to its 5th anniversary. Fresh off its #27 ranking on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, the bar pays homage to the unsung heroes of mixology.
In the latest episode of our “In Convo” original series, Pantja’s co-founder Kabir Suharan sits down with Globetrotter Lab’s founder Kennedy Ashinze and talks celebrating the bar’s present by honoring history through their new cocktail menu, “Tribute.” This innovative collection celebrates the pioneering contributions of Black bartenders and female trailblazers who have shaped the industry.
Listen now!
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Pantja Bar’s Tribute to Unsung black bar heros and women trailblazers

Food

<body>Matt Ferran’s creative journey is powerfully driven by the intersection of film and music. We were early and avid listeners of his revered “Joints” mix series on SoundCloud and have been fans ever since.
 
Known for his eclectic sets that seamlessly blend hip-hop, funk, soul, jazz, afrobeat, and other soulful sounds, he brings a deep understanding of rhythm and emotion to his performances.
 
You can find him regularly spinning at New York City’s top vinyl listening bars. His extensive experience crafting compelling narratives for film, working with brands like Coach, New Balance, and Maybelline, translates seamlessly into his DJ sets, creating a truly unique sonic storytelling experience.
 
 
Globetrotter Lab: What does being a sound traveler mean to you? 
Matt Ferran: To me as a DJ, being a sound traveler means being able to play across genres, tempos, and eras seamlessly while presenting my own unique perspective on music.
 
Globetrotter Lab: How has your dual passion for film and music shaped your artistic vision? 
Matt Ferran: Juggling film and music for the better part of my life has helped me to recognize the universal laws that apply to creating all art, regardless of the 
medium. DJ-ing and editing, in particular, require the same attention to timing, details, and good taste.
 
Globetrotter Lab: What inspired this mix for Globetrotter? 
Matt Ferran: This mix was inspired by the title of the series: Sound Traveler. I tried to stick to songs with a travel theme and an overall “worldly” vibe. And as always, 
some of my current and all-time favorites, all on vinyl.
 
Globetrotter Lab: What are you hopeful for in the future? 
Matt Ferran: In the future, I’m hoping to see artists and creators compensated properly (financially!) for the valuable contributions we make to society. We too are ‘essential workers’.
 
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afrobeat

funk

hip hop

jazz

soul

Sound Traveler

Sound Traveler #15: Matt Ferran

<body>Kicking off the first 2025 installment of our Sound Traveler series, Globetrotter Lab heads over to the vibrant city of Berlin for an exclusive mix from the amazing <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz notranslate _a6hd" tabindex="0" role="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/femdelic/">Femdelic</a>.
 
An artist whose sonic journey began with a passion for dance as well as discovering and digging through her father’s vinyl collection, Femdelic has carved a path from digging through those records to serving sonic gold on dance floors in Berlin’s underground scene and beyond. Her journey is as captivating as her sound and a testament to the power of music.
 
Think funk, boogie, soul, and everything in between. We’re excited for this one!
 
 
Globetrotter Lab: What does being a sound traveler mean to you?
Femdelic: I like the term sound traveler! I believe that in the beginning there was Sound – that’s how a lot of cultures referring back to point zero and the creation of the earth and cosmos.
 
Being on my personal sonic trail helped me not only to meet and connect with different people through our universal language‚ music. It is opening also a portal to other realms and dimensions, shaping and shifting the reality we know. It’s a doorway out of the head into one’s feelings and depth of the soul. I love how music can create a certain energy and vibe and the synergy we can create together with the people dancing. It’s a way connecting deeply, from the heart, with each other.
 
Globetrotter Lab: What inspired this mix for Globetrotter?
Femdelic: I got inspired by many artists and their particular sound. Some well known but maybe sometimes also underappreciated tracks.. Some rare treasures like boogie fire – that I never heard in another set. Some of the records I just found recently and some have been sitting in my crates finding their way into this Globetrotter mix. Everything groovy and uplifting that I consider as funky. My favorite Crazy P track, in Hommage and remembrance of Danielle Moore who recently left this plane of existence. A few of the immeasurable range of artists that shaped my musical journey.
 
Globetrotter Lab: How has the city of Berlin shaped/embraced your craft?
Femdelic: Berlin is very vibrant and a melting pot for people from different backgrounds. It has a good dancing scene and that’s how I connected with funk and boogie music, through breakdancing and popping. Going to sessions, expressing oneself, supported by funk music. There was always a little funk scene here and over the years I connected to other funkateers all over the globe, shaping my musical identity.
 
Berlin has always been a place where it felt natural to express myself creatively.
 
Globetrotter Lab: What are you hopeful for in the future?
Femdelic: I am hopeful that humanity becomes our highest priority. That the flow of compassion takes us beyond judgment, which is a trap separating us. I hope and believe that we finally will wake up to one another, including all animals, plants and most importantly our home, Mother Earth.
 
The life of flowers, animals and humans – all are valuable.
 
I hope that people stop listen so much to society and to official versions of reality. I hope people stop giving away their responsibilities and stop projecting instead listening to the earth and their inner guides.. We are the people. Faith over fear!
 
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boogie

house

Sound Traveler #14: Femdelic

<body>Raised between the shores of San Diego and the vibrant streets of Jakarta, Monty Hasan has been immersed in a diverse tapestry of cultures and sounds. This unique upbringing has shaped his distinctive musical style, one that seamlessly blends soulful house with global influences.
 
As the co-founder and music director of Jakarta’s Bebop bar, Monty is no stranger to curating unforgettable experiences. His sets often feature a fusion of house music with Latin rhythms, while also venturing into the realms of afrobeat, dancehall, and amapiano.
 
Beyond his musical pursuits, Monty is passionate about sustainability. His eco-conscious headwear brand, Topiku, reflects his commitment to environmental preservation.
 
 
Globetrotter Lab: What does being a sound traveler mean to you?
Monty Hasan: Being a sound traveler to me means two parts. The first is the selector’s responsibility to set the mood, taking listeners on an auditory journey. I think this is where the magic of DJ-ing takes place; it’s the power of music, which utilizes only one of the senses (listening), to evoke other feelings.
The second part is that of global connectivity. I’m always in awe to see members of my music community here in Indonesia, whose music is played by DJs across the world. That’s the power of platforms like Soundcloud, which help to bridge different cultures and communities. Geographically, it’s the beauty of exposure; as a child, my parents played a lot of bossa nova &amp; samba, which has had a great impact on the music I like to play and produce.
 
Globetrotter Lab: What inspired this mix for Globetrotter?
Monty Hasan: This mix for Globetrotter is inspired by my love for setting the mood. Throughout my DJ-ing career, I haven’t considered myself much of a headliner – it’s a privilege to set the stage for other artists and guests. It’s always a fun challenge to get the room started, especially when I throw hints of what energy &amp; flavors the crowd can expect later in the night.
This mix exemplifies that – it’s a mixtape that caters to many different moods and environments.
 
Globetrotter Lab: Favorite spot to DJ in Indonesia?
Monty Hasan: Haha, this answer is biased, but I have to say my bar, Bebop, in Senopati, Jakarta. With Bebop, our music community has a home, offering “unorthodox” experiences compared to what is offered in the city.
Outside from Bebop, it would have to be the Lawn, Canggu. Nothing quite compares to the backdrop of a Bali sunset.
 
Globetrotter Lab: Describe the current state of nightlife affairs in your city?
Monty Hasan: In my opinion, nightlife in Jakarta is a cornerstone of they city’s experience. In general, I see a big hustle mentality, which leads to a culture of “work hard, play hard.” As most people are busy in the daytime battling traffic, social gatherings tend to take place at night within the countless watering holes across town. The growing diversity of venues is exciting, as it means that in order to stand out, music communities will need to adapt in order to showcase what makes their sound unique. We’re on the right track.
 
 
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Sound Traveler | Monty Hasan

<body>A champion of 45 RPM records, Skeme Richards is also the mastermind behind <a href="https://nostalgiaking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nostalgia King</a>, an online experience aiming to spotlight DJs producing analog music. It also serves as a platform for filmmakers, visual artists, photographers, and not to mention, foodies.
 
As an ambassador of art and culture, Skeme was recently presented with a Citation by the City Council of Philadelphia. He has been immortalized in a mural that pays tribute to the city’s hip-hop culture.
 
We’re delighted to have him bless us with a Soundtraveler guest mix series and an exclusive Q&amp;A.
 
 
Globetrotter Lab: What does being a sound traveler mean to you? 
Skeme Richards: Being a sound traveler to me ultimately means sharing and spreading the love of culture through music on a worldwide level. It could be traveling to various cities and playing amazing music for audiences on the dance floor that takes them to another place and oftentimes a spiritual level, or it could be touching them via the airwaves on a radio show that reaches a global audience. The three largest connectors of people are food, drink, and music, and as DJs or sound travelers, we have the power to connect those dots while connecting people from all walks of life.
 
Globetrotter Lab: What inspired this set? 
Skeme Richards: Whenever putting together music, I first think about the audience and what I want to convey to them in the given amount of time. The DJs’ number one job is to educate the listener while giving them a little bit of what they want and a lot of what they didn’t know they need. I always try to balance things out with the familiar, but not overly played or cliché songs mixed with the “Oh wow, what is that!?” Dig in the crates a little deeper selections because it’s about taking people on a journey and the unexpected is always the most enjoyed. The other thing that inspired this set is also the drive to be different than other DJs. What separates DJs is always our particular crates and no two should ever be alike because we all have different ears and tastes. I’m a vinyl guy through and through and having certain rare records means less of a chance that another DJ will work that into their sets.
 
Globetrotter Lab: Your love for 45s 
Skeme Richards: My love for 45s comes from my love of Deep Funk and Sweet Soul because most of that music was only available on 45. Many of the regional independent labels back in the 1960s and 1970s were working on a budget so it was cheaper to do a 45 single than LP. Also, much of that music is more rare than say what would be on a 12″ or LP, which was pressed in higher numbers, so as a DJ and collector you stand out by having certain records that others don’t have. But at the end of the day, I’m a vinyl guy through and through. I love both 12″ for the extended disco versions and I love LPs for those cuts that weren’t singles but need to be heard and played.
 
Globetrotter Lab: As a sound traveler, what’s your favorite city to dig for records and to play in? 
Skeme Richards: As a sound traveler, the city I love the most to dig in would be Amsterdam (The Netherlands in general). There’s just so much amazing music and pressings of songs that were never pressed elsewhere. It probably comes as a shock to most people that I didn’t say Japan, which is my favorite place in the world but that’s because Japan has pretty much every record you’re looking for right there, and to me that’s not digging; that’s shopping and there’s really no discovery. In Amsterdam, I might get shipped to a particular Dutch modern soul record one day and some crazy jazz the next day.
But when it comes to the city that I love to play in the most, it’s definitely Tokyo. I’m pretty much a local in Tokyo at this point because I’m there so much but really a local in the country as a whole. They call me Magma Taishi there and whenever I land, I know that the room will be packed and people will be tuned in to what I’m going to play.
 
</body>

world

Sound Traveler | Skeme Richards

<body>Chicago’s premier sound curator and Globetrotter’s resident DJ, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/djseanalvarez/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sean Alvarez</a>, returns with a new episode of “Past, Present &amp; Future”.
</body>

Past Present & Future

Sean Alvarez

Past, Present & Future with DJ Sean Alvarez | Episode II

<body>We first met Bahrain-based DJ, producer, beatmaker, and experimental visual artist DUST last year at Sole DXB in Dubai, who, as he tells it, fell in love with hip-hop after starting his journey as a dancer at a young age. When he’s not busy making beats, DUST, who is also a member of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the.dmt.experience/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the D.M.T Experience</a> band and the founder of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theredantsarmy/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Red Ants Army</a> crew, is on a mission to learn, share, and exchange his passion and experiences with others.
DUST showcases his groovy sounds, soulful selection of rare gems, and fresh cuts in his mix for Globetrotter. From chill vibes to midnight madness, DUST knows how to vibe in any atmosphere.
 
</body>

Sound Traveler: DUST.

<body>We’re thrilled to welcome Chicago’s own DJ Sean Alvarez (<a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz notranslate _a6hd" tabindex="0" role="link" href="https://www.instagram.com/djseanalvarez/">@djseanalvarez</a>) as our new resident DJ on Globetrotter Radio!
In this inaugural episode of “Past, Present &amp; Future”, Chicago’s premier sound curator and Globetrotter’s resident DJ, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/djseanalvarez/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sean Alvarez</a>, takes us across eras.
His new monthly show, “Past, Present &amp; Future,” dives deep into the sounds that shaped him: from classic soul, disco, funk, house, techno, afrobeat, hip-hop &amp; jazz.
Sean’s passion for music and the culture fuels his sets, taking listeners on a journey across genres and timeless sounds. He is also known for his diverse sets &amp; unwavering commitment to quality music. Get ready for a journey through time with a master curator!
</body>

Mixes

Podcasts

A Conversation with Music Historian Duane Powell

Masaya Fantasista of Jazzy Sport: Music, Sports & Uniting People

The Timeless Maestro: A Conversation with Sir Kahil El’Zabar

Corey Gilkey of Leaders 1354 on Community, Culture & Commerce

Daniel Mitchell of Space Available on Making Space for Nature

Pantja Bar’s Tribute to Unsung black bar heros and women trailblazers

Playlists

The Best Out 2025

The Best Out 2024

The Best Out 2023

Best of Fela Kuti

Best of Tony Allen