The Best Songs From Chicago Artists in 2023

Chicago artists have been busy this year putting out new music, which is why the City Cast Chicago team put together a playlist of some of our favorite songs.

‘gospel?’ by NoName

The 10th track featuring $ilkMoney, billy woods, and STOUT is a standout song on the Bronzeville native’s sophomore album, “Sundial.”

‘Sudafed’ by Nnamdï

For all of you who like to cry on the CTA — and we know there are a lot of you — Nnamdï’s lyrics hit for when you’re going through a hard time. Maybe you’ll hear it live at his New Year's Eve shows at the Empty Bottle.

‘Dreaming Alone or Together’ by Precocious Neophyte

Singer-songwriter Jeehye Ham is behind the dream pop project inspired by Korean post-rock and recorded from her Chicago home.

‘Airplane Air’ by Deeper

A product of the city’s DIY scene, the post-punk band could be headed for the “indie-rock big leagues,” according to NPR.

‘Infinite Surprise’ by Wilco

The opening track is the entryway into weird, experimental songs that flow into one another on the Chicago band’s 13th album.

‘All My Life’ by Lil Durk

The motivational rap anthem featuring J. Cole and a children’s choir has been nominated for a Grammy.

‘D**khead Blues’ by Kara Jackson

If you’ve been in some bad situationships this year, you’ll get a kick out of the 2019 National Youth Poet Laureate’s song about jerk lovers.

‘Spend the Night’ by BJ the Chicago Kid

You can’t help but dance, or at the very least nod your head, to the Grammy–nominated singer’s flirty single featuring Coco Jones.

‘Been Gone’ by Achillez

The Chicago R&B singer’s single is a taste of what’s to come off his “DayWalker” project next year.

Maybe with more local artists in the mix, we’ll get Chicago as our Spotify Wrapped Sound Town next year 🤞