Mr. Morale Inspiring The New Chicago Wave- #ThoughtPoetsOpinion

(#ThoughtPoetsOpinion is a series curated by our creative director ThoughtPoet as he brings more detail to the in and outs of the Chicago music scene and beyond. This series was originally created at the height of Chicago’s blog era where ThoughtPoet shared his reflections on The Lyrical Lab platform. The goal of this series is to reflect on important moments that take place & are very revealing of the future of the music industry and the many communities that surround it)..

Since March of this year the world has been very interested in the rap beef between the artists Kendrick Lamar and Drake that has lasted for the last ten years. There have been so many different perspectives on who actually came out triumphant in this important exchange of words and perspectives but it’s so much more to it than that. The world has been challenging the status quo on what does it mean to put out meaningful music and art that is reflective of the communities we come from as artists and human beings inspired by hip-hop and it’s worldwide impact. Throughout this entire back and forth there has been an increase in fans researching the symbolism that has come from both Kendrick and Drake in the biggest and smallest ways possible. Because of this the concept of consistency and authenticity have become very important conversations with so many in the world. With arguments around the importance of streaming numbers and culture vultures the world has become more focused on uplifting those that are focused on creating peace and bringing understanding to the world. Kendrick’s recent Juneteenth performance is a great representation of this concept..

To understand why Kendrick’s unifying moment is so inspiring to the world but especially to Chicago you have to really process why this rap beef took place to begin with. Hip-Hop at the absolute core is black history that is growing everyday. The individuals that are effected the most by it are black and brown folks that live in the trenches and listen to this music everyday. Therefore they are the ones impacted the most by the culture that surrounds hip-hop and anyone that contributes to it. Drake might have the resources but he cannot and will never be able to produce what Kendrick just did. Not because he is unable to, but he has never shown any care to help the many that are effected by his music in this way. Most importantly, he does not connect to the culture in the way that others who are passionate can. That’s why Kendrick took the actions he did with this entire beef. To make sure the ones passionate about the culture are leading it. What Kendrick was able manifest was possible because he is focused on the future of his home being acknowledged for it’s culture and art, even more importantly he wants the past, present, and future of where he comes from to be uplifted in the most positive of ways. He knows real unity and collaboration anywhere will help the progression of making the world a more safer place. I know for myself seeing that type of art and black representation pushes me to make Chicago be on the same time, and I’m not the only one..

The New Chicago Wave kickstarted when artists in the scene began working together more and making sure the community being uplifted was the priority. It’s about truly embracing a new mentality towards collaboration and unity within our communities in our city. It was never just about certain individuals being uplifted or creating a list. It’s about bringing all of our communities together so that the world can understand we ain’t nothing to play with..

Artists and curators like Waterr, GQ tha Teacha, APJ Films, Brittany Carter and others started curating multiple shows in the past six months that have sold out ten times over because of the audience having a love for Chicago hip-hop and it’s many different genres overall. Artists and fans alike are coming together to keep uplifting the fact that everyone can be acknowledged at the same time for being amazing in your art form. All of this led to the artist Goalden Chyld being acknowledged in huge ways for his community work and being cosigned by community legends like Larry Hoover JR., just as his debut album “War Cry” charted to number three on the hip-hop charts. It charted past Ye’s “Vultures” album..

While all of this is taking place there was a photo shoot curated by some of the individuals apart of the new wave. This was to uplift the artists and the many communities they represent that are also apart of the new wave because of them also embracing this new mentality. Certain critics challenged the concept by saying that the name was somehow taking away from what was. Those same artists have been responding in their own ways..

The moment Kendrick created has inspired legendary emcees like Joel Q, Mani Jurdan and others to strive for this level of unity and collaboration. The reason why is simple, why not? Anyone apart of the new Chicago wave understands that all forms of community truly helps any space grow and prosper more. There has been a question that if the community groups in Chicago all learned how to come together in the name of unity there would never be a divide when it comes to Chicago knowing it’s own artists that are doing so much to uplift things. Even in the past week, artists like Panamera P, Rufus Sims, IAMGAWD, and others have been letting their recent music releases represent them as doubling down on the concept that unity is the new Chicago wave..

Even though Kendrick just created this moment artists like Goalden Chyld just created a similiar moment at his recent unity concert at Dusable museum. Where he had real community members that are not normally found in spaces like museums come out and show their love and unity. Even created awards for all of the individuals, so that they know their community efforts are acknowledged. Already what Kendrick did is being studied and practiced in spaces that are calling for more peace and collaborative thinking. Spaces like Chicago..

Chicago is truly in a place where individuals striving to uplift others while also themselves is a growing mentality. Being apart of this music scene and industry since 17 and since the beginning of the blog era I have never seen this high level of support and want for change in the city. The fact it’s happening now is only more of representation that the future of this city is in good hands. As long as those teaching others how to advocate for others keep taking place the New Wave of Chicago will continue to grow. As we continue into this year we will see just how much of an impact Kendrick’s actions have on the city, and the world. I just appreciate that a moment created by a good kidd from a madd city is changing the world for the better. And it’s impacting the city I’m from to grow as well..