Meet Gerard Ogee1523″ Allen | Rap Artist”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gerard “Ogee1523” Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gerard “Ogee1523”, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Music has been part of me for my whole life, growing up with parents who loved music, My parents always used to have company over, and I was the entertainer, you can say we had a party house, also in school. My mother (who has passed away) always told the story of when I was ten months old. She sat me on the couch and went into the kitchen to cook dinner, and when she came back into the living room, I was walking towards the TV because James Brown was singing & dancing, and that was the first time I ever walked. After that, whenever I would start crying, she’d put on some music, and I’ll stop crying instantly. Even now, when I start feeling down by thinking about my loved ones who passed away, I just put on some music and quickly bounce back.

I got into music from the birth of HipHop, Sugar Hill Gang, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5 mc’s and going to all the outside jams. By looking at them performing & listening to the rhymes that’s when I realized that’s what I wanted do. HipHop quickly became part of me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I just wanted to put the fun back into hip-hop; I want people to feel good when listening to my music. What makes me different is the type of music I’m making. I’m bringing back that feel-good music that I enjoyed growing up. I rap about actual situations that happened in my life and for others to relate to. I’m not talking all the negativity talk. My music will make you smile if you’re falling down. My music is for the older generation and the younger generation.

I began in the industry back when hip-hop was hip-hop. Me & my crew, The T.R. Nation, used to go everywhere in N.Y. City where music was being played, battling other crews in dancing led us to the big spots. Some of these were: Disco Fever in the Bronx, Harlem World, The Roof Top in Harlem, The Roxy’s, and the Ecstasy Garage. The attention I was getting I loved. Years ago, I remembered at a Red Parrot club in N.Y. I battled a famous dancer named Larry Love on his theme song “Larry Love” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five M.C.s. After this battle, I started to get known for dancing. My life was somewhat interrupted after having my first son at 16. My mom was instrumental, but I had to work, and dancing and rapping would not take care of my son. After retiring on Jan 1, 2021, I was able to go full swing in the studio.

It has not been easy. Technology has changed the landscape of music – some good and some bad. Music is more about likes and streams than music itself. Rap artists are not even the same. They are writing about lives they don’t or have ever lived just for clout, likes, and views. It’s sad. That is why I wanted to make music fun again and “real.’

Though I am from New York, I have been able to perform all over (especially in Atlanta). Atlanta has had my heart because the people are receptive to new artists, it never shuts down, and it has really become the new “Chocolate City.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Spending a week in Atlanta is the reason people never leave! {joking} Atlanta is a city that never sleeps so I take people to some of my favorite places. I take them to eat at Steak Market, Cuts Steakhouse, Bones Restaurant, Spring Restaurant in Marietta, Heirloom Restaurant, and Aria. During the day I would take them to visit the Underground, Atlanta’s Fox Theater, Ponce City Market, and the College Football Hall of Fame. At night, I would have us hit the Koo Koo Room, Red Phone Booth (to smoke cigars), Ten All, MJQ Concourse, and Northside Tavern.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shout out my only daughter and my three sons in the music industry -Trackz, a producer; J-quest, a rapper; and Oun-P, who was and still, is a notable (and unstoppable) battle rapper. I also want to shout out my publicist, Dr. Gurley. Because of her, I have been able to create the presence I wanted when I decided to step back into music.

Website: https://www.therealogee1523.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ogee1523/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gee1523

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerardogeeallen

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ0af1YBBiBa1PcHt1S969Q

Other: https://sites.google.com/view/ogee1523-epk

Image Credits
Photography by TWPhotography & JW Photography