Saba connects with Chicago youth before Red Bull performance Thursday night

Photos by Aris Thetokatos

Last night, Saba performed at Double Door in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood as a Red Bull Sound Select artist alongside Air Credits (ShowYouSuck & The Hood Internet) and headliner Open Mike Eagle. Our friend Aris Theotokatos was in the building to capture some photos of Saba's performance. The west side native ran through a handful of records from his now classic sophomore project ComfortZone, and even debuted a new single called "Most" that we hope to hear in its proper form soon!

Before fans gathered to see Saba do what he does best, he took part in a day among the Chicago youth, making stops at Dwayne Wade's Live To Dream summer program and his former stomping grounds Young Chicago Authors. In the wake of news that former Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade would return to his home town of Chicago and play with the Bulls next season, the athlete's Wade's World Foundation invited Saba to talk to kids between the ages of 5 and 18 about his life as performer and what has led to his success so far. The kids even got to witness an impromptu freestyle after one of them gave Saba a beat.

The day's not over for Saba yet, he and the team head over to Young Chicago Authors to talk to some of their students about music as well. YCA was a home to Saba, Mick Jenkins, Chance and a more than a handful of other talented local musicians. An incubator for the arts, Saba's talk with the YCA's Chicago Beat journalism class is sure to inspire a new generation to help keep this machine moving. Students were asked to listen to ComfortZone before class (although most were already familiar), and conduct an interview with Saba. Chicago Beat is a brand new class taught by our colleague and friend Tara Mahadevan that grooms young journalists with a passion for music. Obviously something These Days can get behind.

In short, go Saba!