Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerard “Ogee1523” Allen.
Hi Gerard “Ogee1523”, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Harlem and was raised in the Bronx. I am the father of four (three boys and one girl) and grandfather to ten. I have been nonstop at believing in myself and all I have wanted to do…including rap. Achieving the moniker, Ogee came after many other childhood names; however, I feel I have certainly earned it now – father, grandfather, mentor, and role model to the young and old in my community.
After 27 years of dedicated work at the New York City Housing Authority, I retired on January 1, 2021, and began to pursue my real passion – music. Before working for the City Housing Authority, I worked for a printing company, a recording studio, and Madison square garden, so I have never been a stranger to entertainment and the music industry.
Residing in the Bronx projects, I became a hip-hop pioneer and artist in his youth. I met a group of friends who later became the legendary Talented Rascals (also called the T.R. Nation). While a part of the group, I honed his skills in all five elements of hip-hop culture: graffiti, break dancing, beatbox, DJing, and rapping.
After the Talented Rascals disbanded, I and another member formed The Funky Fresh Duo and recorded multiple songs, and performed throughout the New York tri-state area. After a few years, I joined forces with one of my cousins and continued to record and perform under the name ‘Da Cuzinz’ and would eventually collaborate on a project with my two oldest sons, Ty-Trackz and Oun-P called “A Father & 2 Sons.”
Recent endeavors include an EP titled “Never 2 Late” and the chart-climbing single and video “Get Em Up (Birthday Song)” featuring Fatman Scoop and “I Feel Good Today.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I have had to learn quite a bit in a short amount of time. The hardest part for me is getting my music to the right people who can push it to the next level. Some people inflate their prices and have zero delivery. I’ve been working on my own to get events for a while now, and I know it’s not easy. People always say that it’s not what you know but who you know. I am thankful to have found someone who has worked hard to get me media attention, and it has helped many open doors for me.
I’m determined to make it to get my music distributed worldwide and not just in small circuits. I believe if you keep putting out good music, the right people will eventually start looking for you. So that’s what I’m going to keep doing – creating the best music I can and trusting that the right people will find me in time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up listening to real hip-hop. I loved how it made me feel: happy, hopeful, and free. And when it was not, it was real, raw, and unfiltered, but the truth. In the last few years, all you hear about is rappers inflating a lifestyle for clout, likes, and views. That ain’t cool at all. That is when I realized not many artists were making music like I grew up on anymore. Sure, there are some good Hip-Hop artists out there, but they weren’t making the same kind of music that I grew up listening to. That’s why I decided I wanted to make my music. And that’s what makes me different. I’m bringing back that feel-good music that so many have missed. My music is for everyone who needs a little pick-me-up or wants to dance. It’s for the older generation who remembers what real Hip-Hop sounds like and for the younger generation who may be hearing it for the first time.
What matters most to you?
What matters to me most is just being able to live my life my way and be happy. I don’t have any stress, no worries, and no drama. I don’t entertain negativity or naysayers (and trust me, I have had them). I believe people are never too old to do what they love, no matter their age. I have my family and am a simple man that loves to inspire others and make other people enjoy themselves. Life is short and I have suffered a lot of loss that has given me a different perspective on life. I just want to ride it out doing what I love until it is my time to leave this earth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.threalogee.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ogee1523
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/gerardogeeallen
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ogee1523
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ0af1YBBiBa1PcHt1S969Q
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/energee1523?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://sites.google.com/view/ogee1523-epk
Image Credits
Photography by TWPhotography & JW Photography
