Adamn Killa and Taylor Bennett champion Chicago music for launch of 'The Vocalo Hotline'

Chicago Sun-Times — Jul 13, 19:13 PM

Adamn Killa and a packed crowd do his viral dance move while performing song https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa866d7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F72%2Ff8%2F01e9e6114b7d9bbb75196050a7b5%2Fvocaloshotline-260713-14.jpg" />

Fans clad in bright pink pink trailed around the corner of Lake and Loomis Streets this past Saturday as Chicago rappers Adamn Killa and Taylor Bennett prepared for their headlining, all-ages show at Bottom Lounge dubbed “Vocalo’s Summer Meltdown.”

The fans were responding to Adamn Killa’s call on social media for fans to wear pink — referencing https://chicago.suntimes.com/summer-festivals/2026/06/15/review-adamn-killa-summer-smash" target="_blank" >his color-drenched Summer Smash set last month.

Fans screamed and reached out their hands as Adamn jumped into the photo pit during his headlining set on Saturday night.

The concert celebrated the launch of Chicago Public Media station Vocalo’s new call-in show, “The Vocalo Hotline,” which was launched after the company https://www.wbez.org/pressroom/2026/05/18/chicago-public-media-launches-the-vocalo-hotline-a-new-show-reimagining-music-discovery-through-human-connection" target="_blank" >received a MacArthur Foundation grant to support the station.

Bennett and Adamn, whose given name is Adam Kelly, led a lineup of Chicago DJs and musicians, kicking off with a DJ set from “The Vocalo Hotline” host Nudia Hernandez.

Also on the lineup were wellness creator-slash-rapper VvAbundant and DJ Evie the Cool, plus special guest appearances from rapper Lil M.U. — whom Bennett manages — and Adamn’s romantic partner Fiji Slayed May.

Taylor Bennett opened his headlining set with “Broad Shoulders,” a song released with his brother Chance the Rapper in 2016.

“[Adamn and I] have been wanting to do something really special for the city for a long time,” Bennett said https://www.instagram.com/p/DZXwymgsBaG/" target="_blank" >in an interview with the station. “I also know that you guys have a true understanding of the city, not just in this era, but for a very, very long time in terms of cultivating and laying that infrastructure for us up-and-coming artists.”

Between sets, audiences learned more about the “Hotline” show, which showcases local musicians amid a format that encourages Chicago residents to call in to 888-635-1112 and dedicate songs to any person or thing. “Hotline” producer Judith Kargbo took song dedications from audience members throughout the evening, which will find their way into the live broadcast on Friday nights on 91.1 FM and 91.5 FM.

Check out some photos from the night:

Adamn Killa performs at Vocalo’s Summer Meltdown at the Bottom Lounge in the West Loop, Saturday, July 11, 2026. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Some fans of Adamn Killa starting lining up around noon on Saturday to catch the rapper’s free performance.

Taylor Bennett invited rapper Lil M.U. to perform her hit single “Top of Cars” during his set.
Lil M.U. will also perform at From The ‘GO Fest on July 18 and Lollapalooza on July 31.

Taylor Bennett performed songs from across his repertoire, from rock-leaning tracks like “Good Guy” to the more subdued “Favorite Colors.”

Light-up Vocalo cups for sale during the show dotted the audience.

Doors opened to “The Vocalo Hotline” host Nudia Hernandez playing music for the lively crowd, featuring her signature eclectic mix from Kehlani to Justin Bieber.

A fan holds a screen printed bandana, which were also passed out to the front row audience members between sets.

Omar Kamran (left), Carlos Rico and Justin Clemons (right) of Magnolia Screen Printing print free custom merchandise during the concert.

Local company Magnolia Screen Printing made custom free merchandise for attendees throughout the event, including square prints (pictured) and bandanas.

Adamn Killa splashes the crowd with water as they roar with cheers during his set.

Evie the Cool was the second DJ to take the stage, setting the scene for headliner Taylor Bennett to follow.

Fans dance in line while waiting to meet Adamn Killa and Taylor Bennett at a free meet-and-greet before doors opened.

One of the several special guests to take the stage was artist Fiji Slayed May, who performed during her boyfriend Adamn Killa’s set.

Online wellness lifestyle creator and rapper Vv Abundant opened for Bennett and Adamn, taking the stage with Nudia Hernandez as his DJ.

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