The Chicago Westside Music Festival ended on a high and powerful note recently at Garfield Park with the performances of RCA label newcomer Alex Boyd, hometown favorites Syleena Johnson and Carl Thomas, along with headliner Musiq Soulchild.
To show their support, these artists performed a free concert for the city of Chicago as a part of and the finale to a free concert series that took place at three west side park locations in the city this summer, and was produced by M Group Worldwide, Inc. Funded by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust and fortified by Chicago native and Area 2 Manager of the Chicago Park District Michael Scott, Jr., this series served as an effort to bring more cultural outlets to Chicago’s west side communities.
“We’re obviously here to show our support for the city of Chicago,” Alex comments, prior to swooning his audience with his soulful sounds.
With the promotion of her new CD, Chapter 5: Underrated, the upcoming release of Syleena’s new acoustic album, Acoustic Soul Sessions, her recent TV One reality show “R&B Divas” and other projects, the Harvey, Ill. native traveled home to show her support and wowed the crowd with her acoustic set.
As he promotes his latest CD, Conquer, and before he travels to South Africa and performs on the Coca-Cola stage with R&B singer Tank in September, Aurora, Ill. native and R&B crooner Carl Thomas made his way home to perform in front of his family and fan base in Chicago.
Inspired by growth, the unknown, darkness, all things new and fresh, we can expect for Carl to continue to ‘conquer’ future business ventures and peak the music charts.
“I was so happy this festival was free because it gave me the opportunity to invite more people,” he adds. “I literally invited about a hundred people, and I am so glad to be a part of this festival.”
Upon the release of his recent book, 143 Love According to Musiq and his latest CD, MusiqintheMagiq, Musiq says it’s important for events such as the Chicago Westside Music Festival to take place in these communities and for people to show support to them. The Philadelphia native says he connects with the people from this community and seeks to encourage the discouraged through his music, his words, but most importantly, his actions.
“If you want to be about change, you need to be proactive,” he says. “If you want to get somewhere, don’t let any distractions deter you or block you from where you want to go. People need to know we care. We [Alex, Syleena, Carl and Musiq] love to entertain you. The ‘good part’ of town is where the people are and I am inspired by this city, the energy and the people.”
*Photos courtesy of Caldo Media.
For more information on the Chicago Westside Music Festival, visit www.chicagowestsidemusicfestival.com.
Follow on Twitter at @CHIWestSideFest
