Project Summer-UAES Album Review-Joel Q

During the blog era the “The New Wave” or the “Chicago Renaissance” that took place then created some of the most memorable moments that don’t get acknowledged enough. Artists like Chance The Rapper, KidsTheseDays, Mick Jenkins, TREATED Crew, Tink, ShowYouSuck, and so many others started pioneering what talent looked like in Chicago while the Drill Music scene roared just as proudly. From 2011 to 2019 the Chicago music scene and organizing scene contributed some of the most important moments in history to the hip-hop genre and world culture overall. While all of these things and more are true the opportunity to become successful in the Chicago music scene for other artists was yet still very difficult. While some artists were recognized for their talents, their peers were not as successful. Not that these individuals weren’t working as hard, there was just a hard time getting more artists acknowledged in this era. With the 2020 pandemic however there was a huge shift in the Chicago community..

A lot of organizations that were harmful in many ways were being dismantled or called out, and artists and curators that have always been in the city were starting to be acknowledged a lot more. A lot of artists began speaking their truths on how they believed the structure of the city could be better. For the last three years the music scene and organizing scene has been transforming and challenging the cities standards when it comes to success and creating more opportunities for others. This came in the form of certain artists speaking on building more into a mentality that doesn’t exist in Chicago enough. The ability to collaborate more with each other and support each other’s businesses and platforms. This mentality in Chicago is not uplifted enough, and going into 2024, right after the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, artists that have been in Chicago for so long came together to form the new Chicago wave..

The New Chicago Wave kickstarted when artists in the scene began working together more and making sure the community being uplifted was the priority. 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. 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. One of those artists is the legendary Joel Q..

Understand Joel is truly one of the leading emcees in Chicago that has been accomplishing so many different things that has already put him in his own category. Some would say he’s known for his legendary interaction with Big Sean, when he rapped for him in person in passing at Lollapalooza. Others would say him being co-signed by Sway in the morning and Dreamville puts him a category above his peers as well. However Joel Q has always been focused on creating safe spaces that reflect of him and his peers. Even more so, he has always been one of the artists advocating for more unity in collaborating with others. So him and Brittany Carter helping GQ tha Teacha spear head the new wave just made sense. With critics not understanding what Q’s efforts are with curating the documentation of what’s taking place in the music scene right now, he decided to respond in the best way he knows, dropping a phenomenal album..

“Project Summer” hits in a way that really touches on all of the points made about the blog era and the future of Chicago’s music, art, and culture. Q has a way of letting his peers and anyone interested in listening know that he is one of the most consistent emcees that is leading the new wave right now. His goals are to keep elevating the quality of taking space while being an artist. We can already say this is one of our favorite projects by far coming from Joel Q..

From amazing features like Vic Spencer, Brittany Carter, Tyre Hakim, Pirate Reem, Panamera P, Chanelle Tru and others Q makes sure the cities best are showcased on this amazing project, showcasing the many phenomenal artists doing amazing things in Chicago right now. His interludes speaking on the past ten years and where he was throughout it all is almost errie as his bars are so telling of the future of Chicago and it’s direction as far as music and art. Joel Q has constructed a powerful body of work that is the response to anyone that doesn’t believe in the mentality and work ethic that is forming the new Chicago wave right now. It’s not about making a list or dwelling on the past for too long, it’s about building into a positive impact that is helping the future of the city. Joel Q and anyone claiming to be apart of the new wave is focused on these factors..

Our favorite records to play in the office are “Out the Way” ft Tyre Hakim, “Top 5” ft Brittany Carter, “Adapt” ft Pirate Reem, & “Fake Battles” ft Panamera P..

Take a listen and let us know what you think. Also take a look at the photos captured at the album release event..