What’s New

Chicago rap duo Mother Nature believes in timing — and one of their latest singles, “Momentz,” aims to be the vehicle to get their brand of hip-hop recognized by audiences who wants more than the average content heard via mainstream radio.

“‘Momentz’ is a reintroduction for Mother Nature in Chicago, said TRUTH, one-half of the successful duo. “We wanted this project to be something that allowed us to shine as MCs, as well as disrupt the monotony that we see going on right now; a lot of things being regurgitated through the airwaves. We wanted to bring that boom-bap, straight hip-hop ’90s feel while still again just tapping into the consciousness of what’s going on right now. I think ‘Momentz’ gives us that first peek into that window and allows us to understand a little bit deeper about what we bring to the table of who we are.

“Getting back to the essence of what we bring, which is real MCing; something that you can play that’s gonna allow you just to move, think, and have fun.”

Mother Nature, which consists of longtime friends — University of Illinois classmates Klevah and TRUTH — plans to strike while the iron is hot via “Boom-bap,” a hip-hop sub-genre popularized by 1980s and ’90s East Coast rappers.

Buffalo, New York, rap trio Griselda — Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Benny the Butcher — are proving that the subgenre continues to resonate with audiences.

“Mother Nature is everything that you didn’t expect — that you didn’t know that you needed,” says TRUTH. “It’s a mix between giving you the medicine and turning up the party at the same time. Definitely something that is a mix between allowing you to feel, as well as pushing you on your journey.”

The duo (who’ve opened up for Run the Jewels, Cupcakke, and Ty Dolla $ign) will release “SZNZ,” on April 20, a 15-track mixtape with features from Valee, The Cool Kids’ Sir Michael Rocks, and Brittney Carter, among others.

Klevah says Mother Nature’s message in their music is “intentional,” as the duo believes the music dictates their place in curating context amid social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s why we got to break s- – – down to build it up, and that’s our approach when we come on records like: ‘Nah, y’all lying or not giving the full scope of you can give,” said Klevah. “That’s what we try to offer to our audience — radical honesty.

“It’s the natural order of things. The world is getting one conscious, and Chicago is getting one conscious for sure. … There’s definitely a need for Mother Nature in both the music sense and in the sense of bringing people back to nature, and a slower pace. Bringing people back to understanding and taking care of each other.”

Nicci Briann

Mother Nature’s brand of hip-hop garnered them a cosign from singer/poet Jamila Woods, whom they got to know by attending shows — a relationship that evolved into mentorship, and their signing with Chicago-based, independent record label Closed Sessions.

“In the hip-hop industry, I’m definitely gonna trust a Black girl over anybody,” said Klevah. “Her sisterhood, having that recommendation, and having that trust within definitely secured the situation. I don’t know if we would have gone with it if we didn’t have that extra, Black girl voice say: ‘Yeah, that’s cool. Y’all could do that.”

While Mother Nature achieves followers, cosigns, and critical acclaim, their advocacy is where they want to make a difference via “The Miseducation of Hip-Hop,” their nonprofit organization rooted in mental health, entrepreneurship and community.

“We know what hip-hop has done for us as adults — and growing up — what if we had [Mother Nature] when we were young?,” said TRUTH. “Someone showing us the important pillars of hip-hop, what it’s really about, what you can do with it, and how far it can take you. … It has allowed us to take our hip-hop influence in a whole new direction.”

And what should fans expect to hear from Mother Nature in the future?

Klevah says to expect a well-thought-out project detailing the nuances of creating music during a pandemic.

“It’s just a mixtape; it definitely has elements of an album,” said Klevah. “We got in the studio a couple more times and made a couple more joints that we thought we didn’t need, but we needed on there. And before you know it, we have one of the most solid projects we’ve ever created together.”

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BOSTON — Michael Kopech’s progression toward bigger and better things for the White Sox took another significant step Sunday when the 24-year-old right-hander, responding to getting his first start of the season, breezed through the first nine Red Sox he faced at Fenway Park.

After the White Sox squeezed out a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of a doubleheader, manager Tony La Russa announced that Kopech would get the ball in Game 2. Because it was Kopech, he of the electric arm and big future, a buzz was created.

“He’s fired up and we’re fired up to watch him,” La Russa said.

Kopech was up to the moment.

Pitching against the team that traded him as a prospect with Yoan Moncada for Chris Sale in 2016, Kopech breezed through the Red Sox lineup from top to bottom, striking out four and not allowing a ball out of the infield and jump-starting the Sox to a 5-1 victory in Game 2 and a doubleheader sweep. The sweep hiked the Sox’ record to 8-8.

Kopech’s outing, which wasn’t expected to go past three innings, was over after the first two batters of the fourth reached base.

For now, there are no plans to rush Kopech into the starting rotation, even with Lance Lynn going on the injured list Sunday. Lynn is expected to miss just one start, and in his first season back after missing 2019 because of Tommy John surgery and opting out of 2020, Kopech has worked as a multi-innings reliever.

“He wants to be a starter,” La Russa said. “He understands that he’s getting his feet wet the way he is, because he’s been pitching in pressure situations. The days he gets to watch our veteran starters, who already know how to work in between, it’s the best preparation for him. Especially as we build up the strength in his arm.”

A seven-inning game, on two days rest after his fourth relief appearance against the Indians Thursday, was a good place to fit him into a start Sunday.

La Russa had said maybe three innings, but at 33 pitches he let Kopech start the fourth. After walking Kike Hernandez and allowing a single to Alex Verdugo, Kopech was replaced by Matt Foster, who gave up an RBI single to J.D. Martinez that put a run on Kopech’s pitching line.

Kopech (1.69 ERA) finished with 41 pitches, 25 for strikes. He had thrown 33, 34, 26 and 33 pitches in his four relief outings, his longest lasting 2 ¹/₃ innings.

In a three-run fourth, Yermin Mercedes belted his team-high fourth homer for a 2-0 lead, Danny Mendick blooped an RBI single to center to make it 3-0 and leadoff hitter Nick Madrigal doubled in Mendick to make it 4-1. Madrigal, batting .304, drove in the fifth run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Closer Liam Hendriks, who got the save in Game 1, pitched a perfect ninth in Game 2.

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A 25-year-old man was fatally shot Saturday morning in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.

Verico Veal was riding in a vehicle about 2:45 a.m. in the 11800 block of South Marshfield Avenue when a male in a silver or white SUV fired shots, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

Veal was struck in the chest, arm and hand and driven to Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields where he was pronounced dead, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.

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Bret Bielema’s overarching message to his first Illinois football team can be summed up in two words:

Enough already.

Or, the more elucidated version:

Before you can win a game, you’ve got to stop losing it.

That means cutting down on momentum-busting turnovers. It means avoiding the sort of mental errors that good teams find unacceptable. It means keeping the refs’ yellow laundry tucked inside their waistbands where it belongs.

The Illini were 2-6 last season and 17-39 overall under Lovie Smith, who just couldn’t turn around a program that has often seemed to be un-turn-aroundable. Enter Bielema, who dreams big, talks big, expects a ton from his players and sometimes has really good ideas such as scheduling the team’s spring football game on a Monday night.

“The fact that we can be live on the Big Ten Network,” he said, “I think it’s got these guys jacked up.”

It’s Orange vs. Blue. It’s sixth-year senior Brandon Peters vs. sophomore Isaiah Williams in a coin-flip competition at quarterback. It’s another needed fresh start for the Illini. It’s a football game with fans in the stands.

“If you know your parents are going to be there, your family, your friends, you’re being watched on national TV, whatever it is, I think it’s going to bring you a little juice,” Bielema said. “I think we’ll see a good, active frenzy on Monday night.”

A frenzy? Love that word. Memorial Stadium hasn’t seen many football frenzies lately.

Here’s what’s happening:

MON 19

White Sox at Red Sox (10:10 a.m., NBCSCH)

Starters Lucas Giolito and Nathan Eovaldi have much in common, from Tommy John surgery to back-to-back Opening Day assignments to lively fastballs. One big difference: While Giolito evolves into an expert craftsman, Eovaldi blasts ahead with 100-plus heat.

Bulls at Celtics (6:30 p.m., NBCSCH+)

The Bulls need a win, but the C’s are on a six-game winning streak during which Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have averaged a combined 61.5 points. What could go wrong?

Blackhawks at Predators (7 p.m., NBCSCH)

The Hawks have played five games against Nashville and lost ’em all, yet somehow only two points separates the teams in the Central standings. Thanks, hockey math.

Illinois spring football game (7 p.m., BTN)

Because all the team’s starters will play on the Orange side, points will be doubled whenever the Blue side scores. Would it kill the Packers to extend the Bears that courtesy once in a while?

TUE 20

Mets at Cubs (6:40 p.m., ESPN, Marquee)

It’s a chance to see old friend Albert Almora Jr., though you might have to look into the visitors’ dugout to find him. The former No. 6 overall draft pick is playing even less with the Mets than he did with the Cubs.

Kansas City at Red Stars (7:30 p.m., Paramount+)

The Red Stars are 0-1-1 in Challenge Cup group play. Expansion team KC — back in the NWSL business for the first time since 2017 — is 0-1.

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (9 p.m., HBO)

Think the pandemic has been hard on sports fans? One of four segments this episode examines how league shutdowns sparked rises in depression, anxiety and other mental-health disorders in athletes at all levels.

WED 21

White Sox at Indians (5:10 p.m., NBCSCH+)

Someone will have to step in and start in place of Lance Lynn, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a strained right trapezius. Sadly, Lynn’s future as a circus performer is also in jeopardy.

THU 22

Mets at Cubs (6:40 p.m., Marquee)

Likely Mets starter Jacob deGrom struck out nine straight batters in his last outing, already has a pair of 14-strikeout games and is sporting a miniscule 0.45 ERA. In other words, the Cubs have him right where they want him.

Hornets at Bulls (8 p.m., NBCSCH)

The Hornets are under .500 for the first time in a month and still without Gordon Hayward, who scored 34 points in the teams’ first meeting. In other words, they have the Bulls right where they want them.

FRI 23

Brewers at Cubs (1:20 p.m., Marquee)

Is it really the teams’ third series of the season already? You’d think by now they were sick and tired of the Edens Expressway commute.

Predators at Blackhawks (7 p.m., NBCSCH+)

By the end of this one, we’re going to have a much better sense of which team will snatch the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central. Unless the Hawks and Preds are still pretty much tied in the standings, which they probably will be.

SAT 24

Bulls at Heat (7 p.m., NBCSCH)

The most exciting five words in sports? Definitely “10-vs.-7 playoff matchup.” Not to freak everybody out, but this could be a preview of that.

Fire at Atlanta United (7 p.m., Ch. 9)

Just saying, blowing an early 2-0 lead as the Fire did in their opener isn’t the greatest strategy for the season.

SUN 25

Rangers at White Sox (1:10 p.m., NBCSCH)

After this one, the Sox get to enjoy a nice day off. Hopefully, Yermin Mercedes won’t spend all of it sulking because his batting average is mired in the .400s.

Brewers at Cubs (1:20 p.m., Marquee)

Brandon Woodruff is lined up to start for the Brew Crew. Will he hit Willson Contreras again? Will he sneak into the Cubs’ bullpen between innings and fire a ball behind Ryan Tepera? Stay tuned, folks.

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Bail was denied Sunday for a convicted felon who was on house arrest when he and his brother allegedly shot and killed another man earlier this month in the West Pullman neighborhood on the Far South Side.

Semaj Dixon, 28, was charged with first-degree murder in the April 5 slaying of 21-year-old Eugene Broach, who prosecutors said was shot 11 times during Dixon’s initial court hearing. Dixon’s brother remains at large.

Prosecutors alleged that Dixon and his brother were both armed with handguns when they chased Broach through the 12000 block of South Lowe, where Dixon lives. When Broach fell, prosecutors said the brothers stood over him and fired repeatedly as he lay in a “fetal position.”

Broach was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and pronounced dead, according to prosecutors and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Two witnesses identified the brothers from photo lineups and images taken from surveillance footage, prosecutors said. That video purportedly shows Broach’s killing and the events that took place before and after the shooting.

Dixon was on electronic home monitoring at the time as he awaited trial in a gun case filed last December. Prosecutors noted his GPS monitor also showed him near the scene, corroborating the video footage.

Dixon was still wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage when he was arrested later that day on an unrelated escape charge, prosecutors said. His hands also tested positive for gunshot residue.

Dixon’s attorney, Nicholas Giordano, questioned how Dixon was identified as one of the gunmen and insisted there’s “no evidence” placing his client’s GPS tracker at the shooting scene.

Giordano claimed Dixon called the Cook County sheriff’s office before the shooting to report he needed to leave the area “because him and his family were being threatened.” Dixon’s home was then “firebombed” and rendered “unlivable,” according to Giordano, who said one of his client’s brothers was also killed in the area last year.

Dixon, who has an 8-year-old son and a 2-year-old stepdaughter, recently worked at a Dollar Tree store while taking classes to earn a commercial driver’s license, his attorney added.

Though Girodano pressed for a cash bond in the new case, Judge David Navarro sided with prosecutors and denied Dixon bail. Dixon was also held without bail in the pending gun case after violating the terms of his release.

He’s expected in court again Monday.

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Two people were killed and at least 12 others wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend.

A shooting Friday night at a Lawndale business left an 18-year-old man dead and a woman wounded, according to police.

About 7 p.m., a person entered the business in the 3600 block of West 16th Street and began firing shots, Chicago police said.

The man was struck in the chest and face and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Jawon L. Ward, a resident of Englewood.

The woman, 44, was shot in the shoulder and back and was taken in good condition to the same hospital, police said.

On Saturday, a 25-year-old man was fatally shot in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.

Verico Veal was riding in a vehicle about 2:45 a.m. in the 11800 block of South Marshfield Avenue when a male in a silver or white SUV fired shots, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

Veal was struck in the chest, arm and hand and driven to Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields where he was pronounced dead, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

In nonfatal attacks, a 17-year-old girl was shot early Sunday in Heart of Chicago on the Lower West Side.

The girl was riding in a vehicle about 12:50 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Cermak Road when two males exited a black vehicle and fired shots, police said. She was struck in the head and driven to Mt. Sinai Hospital where she was listed in fair condition, police said.

Saturday night, a man was critically wounded in a shooting in Lawndale on the West Side.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 10:30 p.m. and found the 34-year-old unresponsive in an alley in the 2700 block of West Flournoy Street with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, police said. He was transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.

A 25-year-old man was shot Saturday in Fifth City on the West Side.

He was driving about 12:20 a.m. in the 300 block of South Kedzie Avenue when a male inside of a passing dark-colored Nissan Rogue fired shots, police said. The man was struck in the back and drove himself to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was listed in fair condition, police said.

About 20 minutes earlier, a 20-year-old man was injured in a shooting in Park Manor on the South Side.

The man was walking just after midnight in the 7100 block of South Michigan Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain, police said. He was struck in the hand and brought himself to Jackson Park Hospital where he was listed in good condition, police said.

At least seven other people were injured in shootings citywide so far this weekend.

Last weekend, 28 people were shot, 4 fatally, in Chicago.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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The White Sox placed right-hander Lance Lynn on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 17) with a strained right trapezius.

BOSTON — The White Sox placed right-hander Lance Lynn on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 17) on Sunday with a strained right trapezius.

Lynn, 33, is 1-1 with a 0.92 ERA including a complete game shutout with 27 strikeouts and a 0.92 WHIP in three starts this season.

The Sox made the announcement between games of their split doubleheader with the Red Sox Sunday at Fenway Park. Before then, there was no indication that Lynn was hurt.

The Sox defeated the Red Sox 3-2 and announced that Michael Kopech would start in Game 2, although probably limited to three innings in the seven-inning game.

The trapezius is a large paired muscle extending over the back of the neck and shoulders and moving the head and shoulder blade.

Right-handed reliever Zack Burdi was recalled from the Schaumburg training facility.

Lynn’s next scheduled start was Wednesday at Cleveland.

Lynn, acquired in an offseason trade for Dane Dunning, has struck out 10-plus batters with zero walks in back-to-back starts, the first Sox pitcher to do so. He did not allow an earned run over his first 18 ²⁄₃ innings, the longest such streak to begin a season by a White Sox starter since Wilbur Wood went 21 innings in 1976.

Burdi, 26, was on the active roster on Wednesday and Thursday but did not pitch before being optioned to Schaumburg on Friday.

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Someone needs to tell Republicans we are not living in 1870’s America, when cowboys with holstered guns supposedly roamed the prairie on horseback.

Republicans, I am sick and tired of you using the pathetic excuse against gun control — that any measure designed to strengthen public safety with tougher gun background checks infringes upon the rights of gun owners and the Second Amendment.

Fed up to the bone.

One gun tragedy follows another, with the FedEx tragedy in Indianapolis being the latest. They keep piling up.

Someone needs to tell the GOP this is not 1870’s America, when cowboys with holstered guns supposedly roamed the prairie on horseback. That’s a “Gunsmoke,” “Lone Ranger” and “The Wild Wild West” mentality.

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be 350 words or less.

This is a nation facing a gun violence epidemic. Real action is badly needed. President Joe Biden needs to make clear to Congress, and particularly to the Senate, that if they don’t get off their butts and act, he will bypass them with more executive orders to fight gun violence.

A mental health check should be a part of any background screening for a person to own a gun. We should require gun buyers to see a doctor first.

Gun fanatics who believe they have a God-given right to own a firearm, such as Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, are on the wrong side of public opinion. The GOP needs to be reminded of that. One poll after another has shown that nearly 90% of Americans favor tougher background checks for gun owners, with even a majority of Republicans holding that view.

Herb Vermaas, Salem

Tailgating in White Sox parking lots

A recent Sun-Times editorial raised the idea of residential and retail development on the site of the parking lots at Guaranteed Rate field. I say let it be.

Sox fans enjoy the fact that we have the space to tailgate before the games. People barbecue, enjoy a beverage, playing bean bags games and generally hanging out with each other. You can’t do that on the North Side around Wrigley Field, where a shortage of parking is a huge issue.

Families of Sox fans enjoy loading up the car and driving to the park, knowing there is plenty of parking space. Not every family has access to public transportation or would want to take it. Cut back on the parking lots and the entire Bridgeport neighborhood will be flooded with excess street traffic, with all the folks looking for a parking spot.

I would be willing to bet that most Sox fans feel just as I do.

Thomas Bajorek, Burbank

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