Unity Concert 3-UAES Event Review

To even try to understand what’s taking place in Chicago’s music scene and organizing community you have to be aware of the transformative things taking place here. So many innovators, artists, community leaders, and curators are rising to the challenge to create a safer Chicago that shows the world that this city is not only the mecca of creation, but it’s truly one of the most beautiful spaces in the world. Goalden Chyld’s journey with creating the unity movement in our city through his organizing and his creative efforts have been inspiring to so many that him and his team having the third installment of the Unity Concert at Dusable Museum only made sense..

His album “War Cry” is challenging what is considered quality music that uplifts the community and creates a positive impact. No artist to this point has been able to take the art form of drill music and create a new sound that can only be understood if you want the city of Chicago to be a different place for future generations. Even with his album charting number three on the itunes hip-hop charts and having been recently featured in the Chicago Reader’s City of Win series and having just freestyled on the legendary Staik Selectah’s podcast GC is not letting up for anything when it comes to making sure all know about his community efforts. GC’s music and work is helping our city understand what does it mean to really collaborate with each other and support each others efforts. To keep it simple, the Chicago new wave taking place wouldn’t be what it is without GC’s efforts..

The evening began with some amazing crowd participation check ins from the the legendary emcee and host Awthenik Poetry. If you know anything about Awthenik you know that she has been one of the most important and consistent curators the city has when it comes to the open mic scene and the organizing community. So her perspective throughout the entire evening about the growth of the music scene was refreshing to the crowd as they became more excited to see their headlining performance..

With performances from Zion Ali, Mani Jurdan, prayers from Rev. Tanya Lozano Washington of the Healthy Hood Cadre, Chairman Allen, Afro_Centrk, Heavy Crownz, DLOW, Recoechi, the legendary Teefa, & Rocnation artist Tyre Hakim the evening was high with energy and a want to learn more about the unity movement..

Once all of the opening performances took place there was a documentary premiere from videographer Eye of the trenches and then the man himself Goalden Chyld took the stage. You could feel the love in the room as actual individuals that help GC in his community efforts took the stage as well as he performed several of his records from the “War Cry” album..

But one of the most beautiful moments of the evening took place as GC proceeded to gift all of the folks on stage awards for their hard work in the trenches. Then the community members surprised GC and gifted him with a award for having his album chart number three on the itunes hip-hop charts. The community members wanted GC to know that his album surpassing Kanye’s “Vultures” album was a very important accomplishment, but even more importantly they wanted to make sure their brother felt the appreciation of everything he does for community..

The last surprise of the evening was GC premiering his “Trenches United” music video, where the crowd received it with so much positive feedback..

Goalden Chyld is just getting started with getting the world to become more familiar with his work and his music. We are so excited for what he has next but take a look at more photos below and let us know what you think..