A few months removed from the release of his statement body of work ‘IN GOOD TASTE’ we connect with Rich Robbins to discuss the making of the album & much more ⛅️
Story & interview by @laylabrownclark
Photography by @rufff_genius
at @southfacingwindows
A fixture in the Chicago music community, rapper, songwriter, producer, educator, and host @richrobbins builds worlds as intentionally as he builds his bars. Performing tracks off his upcoming album ‘IN GOOD TASTE’ (out September 4th), Rich Robbins’ Audiotree Live performance gives us a full spectrum look at his music’s ability to infuse vivid storytelling into elements of jazz rap, neo-soul, pop, and alternative R&B.
Joined by @lillasolband (vocals), @yomanasseh (vocals), @bassmankb (bass), @mastersteve (sax), @_joshwuh (guitar), @lonzooooooo (keys), @renzell.wav (vocal engineering), @moyanasmusic (vocals), and @rhome1of1 (vocals), Robbins’ live performance is a snapshot of the strength and talent found within the Chicago music community. A friendly reminder to the Chicago locals in the chat… DON’T MISS your chance to celebrate the release of ‘IN GOOD TASTE’ @lh_schubas on Thursday, September 11th!
Today, I complete my 75 Hard
aka Soul Bootcamp
Here are my thoughts and discoveries after my own personal anime training arc (link to full substack article in my bio I highly suggest you read that esp if you’re considering starting a regimen like this)
I could never forget you
Couldn’t tag everyone. Was on the move this year! So many transitions. So much growth - some wanted and some needed. Some highlights:
- releasing IN GOOD TASTE; an ambitiously independent album
- performing at Lincoln Hall + Navy Pier + Chicago Cultural Center
- Working/building with @studioshapeschi and getting some dream collabs
- spending time with the best 🐶 in the world
- getting a day named after me in Cincinnati 🤯 + being the Taft Museum of Art artist in residence
- taking @softandtenderseries to New York
- starting my 75-hard journey and seeing the results
- finishing more books, start-to-finish than ever
BOW BOW new substack out now 🙇🏾
For all my peers manifesting love in ‘26, someone’s future mom + dad, and people who don’t know what or who or how to love on this ai-polluted chaotic rock 🌎 I’m right there with you. Good reads in my bio 🔗
+ a bonus photo dump cuz my storage is running out
‘25 I exhausted myself trying to figure out the algorithm(s). I keep the world from so much of my work + ideas bc I overthink hitting the “post” button. Anyone else relate?
‘26 if I like imma show it. If you see it, cool. If you don’t, you’ll catch the next one. No more fighting losing battles.
Everything done in good taste
📸 @fallsfilm + @kuttlerphoto for @rhome1of1 ’s set at Northwestern
New single…I mean substack out now!
I have the itch to get a new tat…
So I wrote about all the ones I have now, their meanings, and the research going in to my next one. If yall know me yall know I don’t do anything without some thought behind it. Intention is 🔑. Seeing every meaning written out was a good exercise in archiving the markings I’ve permanently chosen to represent me, on me
For anyone interested in tattoos, getting a new one, the meaning behind tattoos, or how someone else goes about deciding their tats, this is a good read. You know where the 🔗 is 🏃🏾💨
I don’t write a lot of these so lemme know if anything resonates with you
📸 by @prezpipe circa 2021 (??) when I had far less tats than I do now
October 23rd meet me @chicagoculturalcenter for Under the Dome presented by @chicagodcase . FREE RSVP in my bio
The song featured here is GOOD ENOUGH from the IN GOOD TASTE album. Produced by me, @renzell.wav , and @lonzooooooo with 🎷 from @nate.france . The conversation of doing “good enough” keeps popping up in my creative circles. Seems like every creative I’m in community with is navigating financial stability, social media comparisons, imposter syndrome, juggling multiple identities, or a combo of all. This record is one of many contributions to the conversation. At the end of the day, no amount external validation will be fulfilling. There is nothing that can be given by another person that will be more valuable than what I can give to myself. The work is inward, the rewards are personal, and the celebrations are communal. If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me.
🎥 @mfkmason
I wrote this 🔥 poem for the Garden City EP now available on all platforms 🪴
In collaboration with the best: @mastersteve , @mounatahar , @kobgotit
🎥 @shua_films
More garden in my bio 🔗
