Looking Back: December 19th’s Joy Drive
On December 19, Chicago’s underground music scene gathered at 35th Street Studios for something bigger than a concert. The ForTheYouth x Underground Raps “Joy Drive”, sponsored by MGL and MIHGBO, blended live performance with real community impact — transforming a night of music into a holiday toy drive supporting families across the city. Presented by Preston Lake and George Pareti, the event reflected what FTY & UGR continue to stand for: creating platforms for emerging artists while proving that influence carries responsibility.
From the moment doors opened, the energy inside 35th Street Studios felt intentional. Attendees didn’t just show up for the music — they arrived carrying toys. As the night progressed, the growing collection became a centerpiece of the room, a visual reminder that this wasn’t just about entertainment. All toys collected during the Joy Drive were donated to Cradles to Crayons and Toys For Tots, ensuring they would reach children and families in need throughout the holiday season. The impact extended far beyond the studio walls.
Musically, the lineup showcased the depth of Chicago’s new generation. Kels!, Strxtch, Kioracks, Fuego Baine, C4Y, and Yobryy each brought their own sound and presence to the stage. What unified them was authenticity — artists performing for their city and for a cause greater than themselves. Behind the decks, DJs Dagz and Slay3r shaped the rhythm of the night. This event showed that Chicago’s underground ecosystem doesn’t need to wait for mainstream validation to create meaningful impact. It can organize, mobilize, and execute on its own terms.
Young creatives stepped into leadership roles, using their platforms to give back directly to their community. The toys will now reach families through Cradles to Crayons and Toys for Tots. The performances will live on through memory and media. But the deeper takeaway is momentum.
In many ways, Joy Drive served as a blueprint: when underground platforms work together, the reach expands. When artists rally around a cause, the audience follows. When sponsorship aligns with authenticity, it feels natural — not forced.
It became proof that when youth-led platforms move with intention, the results reach far beyond the stage.
