It is with profound sorrow and deep respect that we announce the passing of Rachel Hollingsworth, widely known and loved as Jacky Blaque, a dynamic and unforgettable force in Chicago’s underground music and performance scenes. Her sudden departure has left a deep and painful void in the hearts of her family, friends, fans, and the creative community she helped shape and inspire.
Born and raised in Chicago, Rachel embodied the soul of the city—gritty, bold, and unapologetically original. As Jacky Blaque, she became more than a performer; she was a movement, a mentor, and a muse to many. Her voice—both literal and metaphorical—carried the weight of generations and the freedom of self-expression. Whether she was belting raw emotion into a microphone at a smoky club on the South Side or commanding the stage at one of Chicago’s avant-garde art houses, Jacky had a rare gift for making every person in the room feel seen, heard, and alive.
Her art defied easy categorization. Blending spoken word, house, soul, funk, and experimental sound, Jacky created spaces where Black joy, rage, queerness, and spiritual liberation could coexist. Her performances were not just shows—they were experiences. Moments of catharsis. Acts of rebellion. Prayers.
To those lucky enough to know Rachel beyond the stage, she was fiercely loyal, deeply intuitive, and wildly funny. She loved hard, laughed loud, and never shied away from telling the truth, no matter how uncomfortable. She was a safe place for the misfits, the dreamers, the ones who didn’t fit the mold. With a heart as generous as her spirit was untamed, Rachel uplifted others constantly—inviting them into her circle, pushing them to shine, reminding them of their worth.
Beyond her artistic accomplishments, she was also a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a mentor. She leaves behind a legacy etched into the streets she walked, the stages she set ablaze, and the lives she touched with her fierce compassion and radiant authenticity.
Rachel’s passing is not only a personal loss but a cultural one. The underground scenes she poured herself into will never be the same. Still, her influence is everywhere: in the sounds of emerging artists she mentored, in the stories shared late into the night, in the unapologetic beauty of being Black, queer, and free in a world that so often demands silence.
We will mourn her absence, yes—but more importantly, we will honor her life by continuing the work she championed: by daring to be ourselves, by creating boldly, by loving deeply, and by lifting one another up.
A celebration of Rachel’s life and artistry will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, we invite the community to share memories, music, and photos as we collectively grieve and celebrate a once-in-a-generation talent.
Rest in power, Rachel Hollingsworth. Rest in glory, Jacky Blaque. Your fire lives on.
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