Millan Verma

[Millan Verma @millanverma0]

I wrote about Chicago's "Hallogallo" scene, which was started by teenagers who hate their phones. They use risographs to make zines, record everything on eight-tracks, and throw lawless shows. Only on @PigsAndPlans

https://t.co/Ey22JyKISk

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

On the heels of his New York-centric LP ‘Ancient History,’ we asked Wiki (@wikset), one of the city’s best rappers, to break down his 10 favorite songs from the home of hip-hop.⁠
⁠
Wiki waxes poetic on his all-time favorites, including undeniable classics from Dipset, The LOX, and AZ, as well as some underground legends who rightfully have become New York icons over the years.⁠
⁠
See the full list here: https://t.co/yq88MH1pFo

[島岡奈央 / Nao @naostellarrr]

ここで紹介されてるアーティスト全員良い、pigeons and planesはウェブ再始動してから本当に良記事しかない https://t.co/nlMJM2v92Z

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

"To understand why the long-tail impact of juke rap is notable, it’s important to understand that neither juke nor footwork were ever meant to be consumed through a phone screen. Before TikTok dances, viral remixes, and Drake samples, the music lived in Chicago roller rinks, basement parties, school functions, and rec centers. It was music designed to be enjoyed at the community level."

In "It's a Chicago Juke Summer," @precious1otus writes about why now is the perfect time for the sound to be having its long-overdue moment, talking to artists like @MelloBuckzz, Lil M.U., and Glizzy Glow - as well as footwork pioneer RP Boo.

[Jacob Moore @CONFUSIONisDEAD]

This is a topic I've wanted to write about for a long time.

We always hear about music industry success stories and big record deals, but what happens when it doesn't work out?

Huge thank you to @motaraps for getting personal and real about it.

Read: https://t.co/oyBoEtoCII

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

Just days before Chicago rapper Iconic Savvy found out she was going to be on a Drake album, she was still delivering DoorDash orders with her boyfriend. Next thing she knew, “True Bestie,” gave Chicago juke a global audience—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Beyond the @Drake co-sign, Chicago juke has been bubbling for a few years thanks to hits from artists like @MelloBuckzz, Lil M.U., and Glizzy Glow. Precious Fondren spoke to them, as well as footwork pioneers like RP Boo, to find this music’s roots, and where the city wants it to go.

Read the full piece here: https://t.co/wP7kUONwFy

[+ @oliviersaidhi]

the DMV is the most innovative, experimental hotbed for street rap in the country right now. that shit has taken over my life. for @pitchfork, i wrote about two collectives trying to break thru https://t.co/fGQTJmTeFm

[Millan Verma @millanverma0]

@oliviersaidhi @pitchfork Great piece!

[Mano @manobells]

This Friday I’m interviewing one of my favorite artists L.W.D. at the opening of his New York solo show Downtown Babylon. Silke Lindner at 6pm pull up!!!

[Millan Verma @millanverma0]

wrote about derby & pz* for this https://t.co/YskItIKbAZ

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

Here's a list of thirteen up-and-coming artists we think should be on your radar.

BEST NEW ARTISTS (Spring, 2026):

Sade Olutola
Victoryland
nomi.
Derby
Pz'
Phoenix James
sahn
Rian Brazil
waterbaby
Rockie Rode
Matt Proxy
A Good Year
Ivy Knight

[Nina @ninaprotocol]

Today, we’re sharing the decision that we are winding down Nina Protocol.

The site will be winding down in phases over the next six weeks. You should use this time to withdraw your earnings and export your releases, purchases and connections.

Our goal is to make it easy for you to take your Nina activity with you before the site goes offline. After July 15th the site and app will be fully offline. We’re looking into options to archive Nina Editorial online and will share a link to that once we do.

May 28 - June 15:
- Uploads and purchases on Nina will be shut off
- Site will remain browsable
- Tools for exporting published and purchased releases, withdrawing funds, and exporting social graph will be made available for offboarding

June 15 - July 15:
- Site will no longer be browseable and only offboarding tools will be available

July 15:
- Site will be shutdown

In 2021, we saw musicians’ growing fatigue in the face of streaming’s one-size-fits-all payments, context-collapse, and algorithmic discovery. We set out to build infrastructure for independent music that allowed musicians to sell their music, create their context, and connect with listeners on their own terms.

Our goal was to release independent music from the grips of Big Streaming, which we felt unfairly tilted outcomes to benefit the major labels.

- Over the last five years, we’ve built new models for:
Releasing music direct-to-fans
- Helping artists contextualize their music
- Elevating listeners from the role of passive consumer to active collaborator
- Bringing editorial and curation directly into the discovery experience

While our work created meaningful connections and helped foster listeners’ love for new music, we were unable to find a revenue strategy that would give Nina a path to sustainability at its current size.

We looked at our options for how to fund the platform and continue working on it, and saw no viable paths forward that would allow us to continue developing, or responsibly maintain Nina the way it runs today.

We are disappointed at this outcome and our inability to get Nina to long-term stability, as this has been a labor of love for the last 5 years, but remain honored to have played a role in supporting and highlighting incredible corners of the music community.

We are immensely grateful to all who supported Nina, released music, listened, supported artists, attended shows, and wrote about music on Nina. Big Streaming has the benefit of convenience, but mostly at the expense of the artists big and small who don’t win the attention lottery. We continue to be inspired by platforms like Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Untitled, Subvert, Cantilever, Tidal, Qobuz.

The work of a musician changes with each phase of technology. Anyone who brings more context to artists and provides direct paths to revenue and fans should be supported. We are optimistic and look forward to seeing how those who continue to build for independent music will improve our corner of the world.

[Millan Verma @millanverma0]

@777lilpeace @yasirworldwide @PigsAndPlans 🔎🔎🔎 https://t.co/iYjugdbbSZ

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

Here's a list of thirteen up-and-coming artists we think should be on your radar.

BEST NEW ARTISTS (Spring, 2026):

Sade Olutola
Victoryland
nomi.
Derby
Pz'
Phoenix James
sahn
Rian Brazil
waterbaby
Rockie Rode
Matt Proxy
A Good Year
Ivy Knight

[Millan Verma @millanverma0]

I wrote about Chicago's "Hallogallo" scene, which was started by teenagers who hate their phones. They use risographs to make zines, record everything on eight-tracks, and throw lawless shows. Only on @PigsAndPlans

https://t.co/Ey22JyKISk

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

Chicago teenagers are making zines, recording on cassettes, and throwing lawless shows—a direct rebuke to an AI-saturated culture of self-promotion.

Since 2021, the "Hallogallo" collective has served as a breeding ground for bands like Sharp Pins, Horsegirl, and Friko. Eli Schmitt—a drummer, designer, zine-maker, and key Hallogallo organizer—hates his phone.

Schmitt shares,
"The world of my phone is frustrating because it feels like we're all trying to sell ourselves, our image, and our authenticity. And we're mostly selling it to these tech companies for free. My friends and I talk all the time about how much we hate our phones. It's a really intense hatred, but at the same time, we're bound to it because social media is the most effective way to communicate as artists.

I’m not going to make TikToks and bastardize my work. I see that with some musicians who are trying really hard to sell themselves, and it makes me lose respect. I get it—you’ve got to make a living—but there are so many musicians with tons of monthly listeners who struggle to fill rooms."

Read the full feature, written by @millanverma0, here: https://t.co/i6vkKXDF9Y

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

In the face of AI, Chicago teens are making zines, cassettes, and throwing lawless shows. Since 2021, what's been dubbed as the "Hallogallo" collective has served as the breeding ground for bands like Sharp Pins, Horsegirl, Friko, and dozens of others.

To @millanverma0, Hallogallo is feeding the appetite for real things and connection from a generation often thought of as too brainrotted to care.

Read the full feature here: https://t.co/i6vkKXD7kq

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

“I can thank Kevin [Abstract] and that song for pretty much anybody giving a f*ck."

It started with a TikTok. Saint, a member of Kevin Abstract's Houston compilation 'Blush,' came across Derby's "Gold" and sent him an Instagram DM. That interaction landed Derby his own collaboration on the project—"I Wasn't There." Derby describes working with @kevinabstract like an eager pupil and says that he's "never not working."⁠
⁠
Read our full interview with Derby here: https://t.co/CBjpJHvNr0

[Pigeons & Planes @PigsAndPlans]

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR 3 OUT NOW

OUR NEW COMPILATION ALBUM 🐦✈️

[Millan Verma @millanverma0]

Derby’s debut, Slugger, is a project that expands and digs its teeth into you more with each listen. @ocksportello went to the Guggenheim with him for his first ever interview, where they talked Frank Ocean, Kevin Abstract, and how Derby is just a dude.

https://t.co/iYjugdbbSZ