Poster Boy-UAES Album Review
The new wave in Chicago taking place is growing at such a fast rate it’s almost impossible to ignore. What makes this era so important is not that artists and community are both advocating for the same thing, which is resources for the south and west sides of our city. It’s the growing mentality that everyone can eat and receive the things they need if we work together. That we can conduct good business with each other and also achieve our goals together. These are goals that haven’t been a priority since even before the blog era. So the fact it’s taking place now is so important. Every artist that is contributing to this movement like Goalden Chyld, Recoechi and others are making sure that the community work is just as combined as the actual music itself. The point is to truly embrace what change could look like in our city and for our future. Again if you can’t see it then you might be the problem..
One of the individuals pushing this new wave and helping artists and organizers in our city is Allen the Official (Chairman Allen). Allen’s history with collaborations with not just artists but community work really speaks for itself. His work with KNVS house and Healthy Hood has truly transformed how one would look at how one is taking up space in a positive way, but it’s deeper than that. His ability to manifest real resources for communities on the south and west sides of Chicago is incredible. His work along side his wife Tanya Lozano has been transforming not just the Pilsen neighborhood, but the trenches of the city that many don’t like to acknowledge..
His album “Poster Boy” embodies so much of the lessons that he has learned through his community work and his growth as a father, organizer, and husband. He also based the structure of the album off of the lessons and relationship he had with the late Walter Slim Coleman. The messages coming from the records are very personal and relatable, especially when it comes to speaking on being an individual of community and still trying to find yourself. There have been other organizers that have taken the community/music path Allen has like Ric Wilson and Damon Williams. We believe what makes Allen’s music even a little different is that he has gone out of his way to make sure his body of work represents the cities art and music to the core..
Records like “We Got Us” and “Rehab” shed light on the many emotions Allen carries as a human being while also being very critical of the organizing community and how it can at times be condescending of itself..
While records like “Young Melanin Man” ft King Crybby & Jiggy Bars & “Segragation” ft Demetri shed light on more of the mental state folks can be in while trying to show up for community, even though it can be hard at times. This album is definitely a powerful crafted body of work that we strongly suggest everyone takes part of..
Our favorite records to play in the office are “We ain’t the same” ft Afro Centrk, “Culture Shock” ft Mani Jurdan, & “Mass Appeal” ft Heavy Crownz..
Take a listen to this project and let us know what you think..
