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Aquil Charlton

@mraquil

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Dont Panic! Album Pre Order is live! Drops 11-3-26
#aka ColdPop
raps-noise-vinyl dj
play-based social practice
arts admin worker
#sjs thrivor

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SOUNDS NATURAL | BEING ONE WITH NATURE

Good people, fresh air, meaningful connections, and a shared appreciation for nature!

A special shoutout to our @soundsnaturalactivations campers who extended the experience beyond the sound walks and into an evening of community, reflection, and connection with the natural world.

There’s something special about stepping away from our everyday environments, slowing down, and simply being present with one another.

These are the moments that remind us that community, nature, and shared experiences are essential to our well-being.

Listen deeper. Feel more. Stay present.

JOIN US — LINK IN DESCRIPTION

Photo by @credellwallsreal

#SoundsNatural #SonicExplorations #deeplistening #blackoutside #NatureAndWellnes taken in Shabbona Woods Forest Preserve by @mraquil

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4 days ago

SOUNDS NATURAL | LISTENING BEYOND THE SURFACE

What an amazing experience we shared at Sounds Natural!

We stepped away from everyday distractions and immersed ourselves in nature through intentional sound walks, meaningful conversations, and collective reflection.

Led by @mraquil (Aquil), our sound walk incorporated Brother El’s (@thebrothernamedel) Three Criteria for Deep Listening, encouraging us to experience our sonic environment in new ways:

DISTANCE — What sounds are near or far? How does distance shape what we hear?

LAYERS — How many sounds can we recognize happening simultaneously?

PRESENCE — Beyond hearing, how does sound make us feel? What happens when we become fully present?

The conversations that followed revealed unexpected observations and some truly surprising reflections, especially from our youngest participants! Their perspectives reminded us that listening is not simply about what we hear, but how we experience the world around us.

Sometimes the most profound discoveries happen when we become quiet enough to notice what’s already there.

Much gratitude to everyone who joined us and contributed to this beautiful collective experience.

Listen deeper. Feel more. Stay present.

Join us for the next Sounds Natural experience on October 17!

RSVP through the link in our bio!

#SoundsNatural #BrotherEl #SoundWalk #DeepListening #SonicExplorations taken in Shabbona Woods Forest Preserve by @mraquil

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5 days ago

"Dont Panic" with @dj_uncle_el drops on @filtherecords 1 month from today! 🔊🔊

To encourage yall lovely listeners: An original, hand made, signed risograph and full color digital print will be included with every vinyl purchase during this preorder period - until November 3rd.

#dontpanic #makemusic #originalartwork #linkinbio

🫶🏽 by @mraquil

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10 days ago

Peace 🌿 We back outside!

Join Brother El and Aquil “AQ” Charlton for Sounds Natural—a FREE retreat bringing art, music, wellness, and community into the forest.

Slow down, listen deeply, and make room for creativity. Come for sound walks, hands-on art, music, and connection around the campfire. Stay for the evening or extend your reset with an optional overnight stay. 🌲🔥🎶

📅 October 10–11, 2026
🕓 Saturday begins at 4 PM
📍 Camp Shabbona Woods
15810 Torrence Ave, South Holland, IL

Bring your curiosity, invite a friend, and reconnect with the world around you.

RSVP: https://www.thebeatbank.net/soundsnatural

#SoundsNatural #BrotherEl #TheBeatBank #ArtAndWellness #NatureRetreat #CampShabbonaWoods #CommunityConnection by @mraquil

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11 days ago

We’ve had a lot of vinyl, cd and digital releases in our history. Today is a day where your support means more financially. Bandcamp doesn’t take their cut so we get more.

Support us with a purchase or preorder this #BandcampFriday so we can keep bringing top-tier Chicago music to your ears.

#nowplaying @mraquil + @dj_uncle_el - Don’t Panic!
Out 11.3.26

filthe.bandcamp.com by @mraquil

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14 days ago

Partners in crime since double diaper duty 🫶🏽
Been in my business from sharing my cheerios to donating my kidney lol

Today is my sister, Najah's birthday. Please send love and well-wishes if you know me or her 🙏🏽
In the past two years she learned to live as an independent blind woman, beat cancer, and now is recovering from an anoxic brain injury. She is still here, so winning that fight too!

She loves to hear familiar voices so I'll be in her room with the family singing 🥳🎂 at 7 tonight. Friends can call me or send texts I can read aloud: 773-510-5769.

Also glad to read comments aloud and play videos from my dms/phone. *Facebook friends, plz bear w me - I will check there too 😅

Its the best gift I can think of for someone to whom I'd give the world. Bday blessings to my first best friend ❤️ by @mraquil

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16 days ago

AFW DAY 3 - SATURDAY 10/2
Saturday brings Afrofuturist Weekend programing to 2 locations!

At 3 PM, Dark Matter Resident Xavi Burgos presents a staged reading and talkback at La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón.

At 5 PM, join us at Elastic Arts for “Lyrical Miracles: Rap Artists & the Craft,” a discussion of hip-hop, lyricism moderated by Aquil “AQ” Charlton, featuring Psalm One, green Slime, Asha Omega and J Bambii remotely from the UK.

J Bambi presents a preview of “J Bambii’s Black American Beauty: The Live Experience” a new film by Kin Marie centered around their legendary live 2024 performance at sleeping village.

Amari Amai presents “de/cipher” an immersive, 360 degree sound experience featuring music and storytelling.

Mike Monford and his band present a tribute to his childhood friend J Dilla featuring 4 exciting new compositions.

La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón
3505 W. North Ave.

Elastic Arts
3429 W. Diversey Ave., #208
#AfrofuturistWeekend #TheCipher #JDilla #DarkMatterSeries by @mraquil

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17 days ago

Its Afrofuturist Weekend!!!!!!!!! 🔊🔊🔊

I am honored and grateful to the Dark Matter Residency Series for the opportunity to perform and show work at this amazing festival 🫶🏾

Risograph prints by urs truly on display in the roving installation by Harlem West all weekend

Thursday at BLK Room, 6pm - Live performance with Uncle EL

Saturday at Elastic Arts, 5pm - Rap Panel with Psalm One, greenSLLIME, J Bambii and Asha Omega

and please cop a preorder of the vinyl for Dont Panic by me and Uncle EL **link in bio

fall into the future 🔊 by @mraquil

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18 days ago

True contemporaries: @dj_uncle_el and I have been in cyphers together since the early days, repping @nacrobats supporting each other through our growth as rappers, DJs, and beat makers. Its rare to get to see through a creative project with so much trust baked in from the onset. This is one of those.

Run this up for us, please, and give @filtherecords a shout while youre at it. We combined our best efforts for "Dont Panic". If the cast of characters below is any indication, you be glad to have it.

AQ+EL
Don’t Panic!
11.3.26
Preorder is live now!

Featuring Ari the Indigo, Binkey, greenSLLIME, InfPwr, Iowa Rockwell, Neko Suave, Nick Noise, Open Mike Eagle, Psalm One, Sam Thousand, Video Dave

Double Vinyl, CD & Digital release.
Limited quantities. by @mraquil

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21 days ago

AQ+EL
Don’t Panic!
11.3.26

Featuring Ari the Indigo, Binkey, greenSLLIME, InfPwr, Iowa Rockwell, Neko Suave, Nick Noise, Open Mike Eagle, Psalm One, Sam Thousand, Video Dave

Preoder now!

Double Vinyl, CD & Digital release.
Limited quantities.

https://dontpanicmakemusic.bandcamp.com/album/dont-panic by @mraquil

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21 days ago

AFW DAY 3 - SATURDAY 10/3

9 PM

Mike Monford and his band present a tribute to his childhood friend and colleague JDilla presenting 4 exciting new compositions.

Mike Monford & Afrofuturistic Vibe
Mike Monford: Alto Saxophone & Vocals
Corey Wilkes : Trumpet
Louis M Jones III :Drums Josef Deas :Bass
Tara Shaheer Monford : Spoken Word Ytasha Womack : Spoken Word
Lufuki Ismaeel Dhul-Qarnayn: Guitar

Afrofuturistic Strings
Laina Martin: Violin
Indira Edwards : Viola
Brendan Callie’s : Cello

Eventbrite link and bio.

Elastic Arts
3429 W. Diversey Ave., #208
#AfrofuturistWeekend #TheCipher #JDilla #DarkMatterSeries by @mraquil

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22 days ago

AFW DAY 3 - SATURDAY 10/3

At 5 PM, join us at Elastic Arts for “Lyrical Miracles: Rap Artists & the Craft,” a discussion of hip-hop, lyricism moderated by Aquil “AQ” Charlton, featuring Psalm One, green Slime, Asha Omega and J Bambii remotely from the UK.

Lyrical Miracles is a discussion about the genius of rap and the rappers who create it. Rap is widely considered one of the densest and most complex forms of songwriting, yet it is often diminished as a singular form associated with its most superficial commercial practitioners. This discussion among rappers acclaimed for their lyricism will examine the current value of lyrical craft among practitioners, audiences, and the music industry. Through lively conversation, personal rap quotations, and an exploration of technologies that codify rap technique, we will highlight the importance of continuing to elevate rap as an art form—including within academia, philanthropy, and the preservation of folk traditions.

Elastic Arts
3429 W. Diversey Ave., #208

#AfrofuturistWeekend #TheCipher #ChicagoMusic #DarkMatterSeries by @mraquil

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22 days ago