A rain soaked crowd dances to a heavy hip-hop beat as the rapper on stage delivers heartfelt about their hometown. While it may sound like a scene from one of Chicago’s major music festivals such as Lollapalooza or Pitchfork, it was the Chicago Public Library who was behind this concert.

On Thursday, October 22, the Chicago Public Library held their first ever Sound Off concert at downtown Chicago’s Pritzker Park. The Sound Off concert grew out of the Chicago Public Library’s new “Not what you think” marketing campaign, which is aimed at getting more young adults and recent college graduates more involved with the library by holding art and music contests, exhibitions and performances. In late August, the Chicago Public Library launched the Sound Off competition with the goal being to find the best original musical competition inspired by the city of Chicago.

“We did an art competition last Spring around our URL, Chipublib.org, and got some amazing artwork out of it. So we thought, what’s the next big thing? The music world,” Chicago Public Library Director of Marketing Ruth Lednicer said. “We did the competition to see what we could get, and we were amazed at what we got. We got 40 entries from amazing musician from all over Chicago.”

Photo Credit: Richard Giraldi

It was announced on October 12 that out of the 40 entries, Shawn Pennington’s track “Doors Closing” won the fan-voted “People’s Choice Award,” and Chicago artist Psalm One’s entry, “My Bucket Song,” was chosen as the grand prize winner by a panel of judges, which included local rock critic Jessica Hopper, Chicago rapper Rhymefest and ALARM magazine founder Chris Force. The two winners were rewarded with a chance to perform at the Sound Off concert, and grand prizewinner Psalm One also received recording time at a local Chicago studio.

“I’ve always really liked Psalm One. Just as a song, I think it really worked,” Chris Force said. “From a lyrical standpoint, I think it was a really fun song. Obviously boasting where she’s from and her hometown. I thought it represented the inclusive feel of Chicago.”

Photo Credit: Richard Giraldi

While celebrating the talented musicians of Chicago was supposedly the Sound Off concert’s theme, it was the torrential downpour and near freezing temperatures that garnered most attention. However, nearly 35 to 40 music-lovers, Chicago Public Library supporters and curious Chicagoans gathered around a small stage across the street from the Harold Washington Library with umbrellas in hand to catch the free show.

But for Sound Off winner Psalm One, who enthralled the crowd with her old school, hip-hop beats and commanding stage presence, the night was more about saluting Chicago than being proclaimed a winner.

“The work that I did was really from the heart,” Psalm One said. “It was really for the city, so I’m excited that it got recognized for that.”