Experimental hip-hop artist & social activist Lando Chill is known for incorporating elements of funk, gospel, jazz, indie rock, psychedelic, and folk into his production work. A Chicago native, Lando (real name Lance Washington), first started rapping under the Star Wars-inspired moniker Lando Chillrissian, and later shortened it to Lando Chill. Bringing to mind groups like Spearhead and The Roots, his lyrics are highly introspective, reflecting on personal struggles and posing existential questions for his listeners, but even at his most cathartic he has maintained a positive, encouraging outlook. A warrior-poet by nature, Lando’s goal has always been to bring the issues of political freedom, mental health, and police brutality to the forefront of his work and to the national conversation. Aimed at giving a voice to marginalized communities throughout the U.S., he is perceived as a man with one ear to Mother Nature and one to the plight of humankind.

His most recent release, Black Ego, explores the nuances of the black experience, touching on themes of cultural appropriation, privilege, and intersectionality. Drawing from a vast expanse of influences, this third album is equal parts hip-hop, indie rock, funk, psychedelic, and gospel. An impressive and intoxicating follow-up to his 2017 release, Black Ego combines seemingly equal parts of west coast funk and desert trip-hop, ultimately threaded together by Lando's bold vision.