Eight One Sixty

We're diving into a stack of new releases as we celebrate a special time of year – it’s Pledge Week! Get a sample of why 90.9 The Bridge is such an important Kansas City organization, in our indefatigable efforts to lift up Kansas City music and give it the stage and praise that it deserves.

We'll play music from these acts with upcoming gigs:
• Amanda Hughey - “She Takes The Mic” w/ Chloe Rose, Deann Kinsch, Erica McKenzie, Nicki White, and more at Knuckleheads, March 10
• Sara Bellum and the Brainwaves - with The 58 Overhead at Katie & Michael at The RINO, March 13
• IVORY BLUE - Englewood Arts on March14
• The slide syndikcate - with Jamogi and The Jammers at The Ship on April 17
• Kadesh Flow- with The Phantastics at 420 Music Fest: SESH Fest (near the OG Stroud’s), April 20
• Kemet Coleman - with The Phantastics at 420 Music Fest: SESH Fest (near the OG Stroud’s), April 20

We’ll also hear new music from Dk Diggz, Amanda Fontaineece, and Jessica Paige – who just celebrated the release of her new album, “Oh Mister” on Sunday night.

If you love the station and are in a position to do so, we would love your support during Pledge Week! For those of you that have already given, thank you so much! We couldn’t do it without you and in this current political climate, with the slashing of funds for Public Broadcasting, it takes everyone to make this machine go.

We sit down with the organizers of Outer Reaches this time on the show. The annual, 2-day event is happening on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14 at recordBar and miniBar. Nathan Reusch and Dedric Moore will join us to talk about the event, the lineup, and more.

We'll also play music from several acts on the lineup including Doubledrag, Violenteer, Bobcat Attack, RxGhost, Hashtronaut, NITE, Redder Moon, Reviser, Juliette Frost, and Panic Priest.

We welcome into our studios Shay Lyriq and Malek Azrael! They are both part of an event this Saturday at Zhou B. Art Center, it's called POP IS BLACK. The event is a celebration of Black History Month in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The concert series began last year with ROCK IS BLACK and the series is dedicated to celebrating pop-influenced music by Black artists in Kansas City and beyond.

On the show we'll talk with Shay Lyriq and Malek Azrael about the event and hear new music from both artists. We'll also hear music and talk about other artists on the lineup, Hailes, Broderick Jones, and DJ Skeme.
Shay Lyriq just released an EP in honor of Black History Month called Illa City Queen, we've played some of the songs from it on the show previously, but now we'll get to hear the stories behind the songs. And Malek Azrael just released a brand new single, "You", we'll give it a spin and hear what it's all about.

POP IS BLACK, is happening this Saturday, the final day of Black History Month and it would be an amazing way to wrap up the month. 

We’ll be joined by special guest, Marcus Lewis. Marcus is an amazing musician and has been playing around KC for years. He has toured with the great Janelle Monáe and he’s also an Educator at UMKC in Jazz Studies. He’ll be joining us to talk about his newest endeavor that is taking place this Sunday, February 22, KC Winter Jazzfest.

“The KC Winter Jazzfest is a musician-run experience that brings together amazing local talent, youth groups, university groups, and seasoned pros. Whether you’re a jazz newbie or a hardcore fan, this fest is all about good music, great company, and togetherness of the KC jazz scene.”

Winter Jazzfest 2026 is an inaugural event that takes place this Sunday, February 22 in the event space above The Ship in The West Bottoms. The fest will kick off at noon and wrap up around 1AM, come when you can, leave when you must. There is an all ages option to attend noon-6PM and an all day pass for 21+ audiences. The fest will happen on two stages and will feature some of KC’s best musicians and also showcase young talent from UMKC, KU, and other institutions.

We welcome in a special guest, Latavia Young. Latavia is the Content, Communications & Engagement at Kansas City PBS. She got to PBS and Kansas City with a long resume and an impressive list of life experiences. She’ll be joining us to talk about the Reel Black Film Festival 2026, coming up on February 20 and 21. We’ll also hear stories from her internship on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, to working in TV and films in NY and LA, she’s got great stories to share!

As for film fests, she’s been to TRIBECA, Miami Film Festival, BRIC Film Festival, Aesthetica FIlm Fest in the UK, the Oaxaca Film Fest in Mexico and many more, and now she’s taking those experiences and bringing them to the Reel Black Film Fest here in Kansas City at The Gem Theater in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District on February 20 and 21, a great way for you to celebrate Black History Month.

We’ll hear music from some of the films and music tangential to the films including: The Freedom Affair, Sunblush (from Wichita), Blood Orange, The Temptations, and Jongnic Bontemps.

We’ll also hear one from KCK’s own, Janelle Monáe, whose non-profit, Fem The Future, is a sponsor of the event. FEM The Future’s mission is to build a female-forward future through creating opportunities for young womxn and girls in music, arts, and education.

We’re diving into a stack of new releases from KC bands and musicians.
A few of the acts that we’ll hear from have upcoming gigs, including:

• Chris Hudson - FEB 13 at Gaslight Gardens and FEB 14 at OurHouse
• Katie Ziegler - FEB 14 at Buffalo State Pizza Co. OP
• Shay Lyriq - FEB 28, as part of Pop Is Black at Zhou B. Art Center

We’ll also hear new releases from Baby Kayy + OkCasheyy,  Grant Klein, SPACE Jockey, Molly Hair, RICC , Paris Williams + MitchMakeBeat, and Swoovi.
We’ll also hear a brand new one from a KC hip-hop act that was just awarded $100,000 from TIDAL as part of their Upload Headliner competition, congrats to Top Meech.
It should be a fun one, and maybe we’ll throw in some post-Grammy conversation too. 

We dive into an upcoming event called “Reclaiming The Canvas: A Tribute to 100 Years of Black History Month”. This year marks the 100 year anniversary of Black History Month and on Saturday, February 7 a great group of civic organizers, musicians, artists, poets, dancers, and more have been working to create a powerful event to celebrate the occasion.

At "Reclaiming The Canvas" on February 7 guests will experience an immersive showcase featuring live music, spoken word, dance, and visual art all created by artists who are shaping Kansas City’s cultural landscape right now.
On the radio show we’ll be joined by “Reclaiming The Canvas” event organizers Roi Wall, Felicity Lauren, and Kayla Gilmore, to hear how this celebration came together and let you know what you can expect if you come to the event on Saturday, February 7 at Zhou B. Art Center, near 18th & Vine.
We’ll hear music from musicians performing at the event, including Calvin Arsenia, Kadesh Flow, Ti Nicole, and Jamogi - and he’ll join us in the studio as well. 

We’ll also hear some spoken word from Melissa Ferrer Civil.
If you’re looking for a special event to celebrate Black History Month, this is the event! It’s an all day celebration in two parts: Art Exhibition Opening (2–5PM, FREE) and then Performing Artist Showcase (7–10PM. ticketed).