In Process-UAES Album Review
Damon A. WIlliams dropped his debut EP In Process on September 19th – a 9-track project offering a diverse selection of sounds, touching on a range of topics and moods from the community building he has been known for.
If you are in the community, activist scene, Damon WIlliams is not a new name by any stretch of the imagination.
Williams, who is from the South Side, is a long-time Chicago organizer who co-directed the #LetUsBreathe Collective, which, if you remember, is an artistic activist organization that was birthed out of supply trips to support the Ferguson uprising in resistance to the murder of Mike Brown.
Additionally, in the summer of 2020, Damon co-created the Black Abolitionist Network and launched #DefundCPD and is the co-host of AirGo –– a radio show and podcast showcasing culture workers reshaping Chicago.
So, yeah, you know Damon. The question, however, is why should you care about his music chops or his new album “In Process”.
Well, for one, Damon deserves a listen, solely off his poetry background. Chicago has a rich history, from Noname to Chance The Rapper, of poets-turned-rappers, so, it’s not farfetched to see Williams in this new act.
Then there’s the fact that this is not Williams’ first time dabbling in music. Although this is officially his first full project, he released two singles “Messy Moments” in 2022.
I, personally, did not hear it back in 2022, but revisited it once hearing of Williams’ latest project.
“Messy Moments” is not bad at all, and, for what it’s worth. It’s a perfect segway into dissecting his latest offering, In Process, as it’s included in the project.
Much like “Messy Moments” In Process is well done. From top to bottom, you will not find yourself straining to understand what he is saying – the vocals are crisp; the mix is well-balanced and the sound pops.
Not every organizer-turned-rapper has panned out. With that being said you have artists like Ric Wilson, Goalden Chyld, Chairman Allen, Tweak G, and Recoechi who have taken this path and have seen success. Damon’s debut is definitely an overall abstract body of work that will continue to pioneer the new Chicago wave because of the growth of the organizer community and beyond the city. Take a listen and let us know what you think.
