More about: 1Denzel Curry

“Best £30 I’ve ever spent," one sweaty bro says to another sweaty bro as they join the flock of Denzel Curry super-fans leaving the O2 Academy and flooding the streets of Brixton. After a 75-minute set jam-packed with over 20 of Denzel’s best bangers, I have to agree with the bros—this gig was serious bang for your buck.

The anticipation for the South Floridan rapper was evidently high as the uber-British crowd filled the room football-chanting his name, a refrain quickly silenced by a supervillain type intro. Denzel takes to the stage, immediately launching into tracks ‘Melt Session #1' and ‘Walkin’ off his latest album Melt My Eyes See Your Future, one that the devoted crowd have clearly done their homework on. They recite every lyric, despite it having been out just over a month.

It goes without saying that going to a Denzel Curry concert is an automatic sign-up to a night of intense, sweaty moshing, and this night in Brixton is no different. Bodies bounce off each other as Denzel back-to-back blasts out his liveliest tunes including ‘SUMO I ZUMO’, ‘RICKY’ and his career-launching ‘Ultimate’. It’s pretty hard to believe that the orchestrator of this ballistic energy is the same man halting his performance several times to point out crowd members that need help or water. A true gent.

His softer streak is shown again as he plays his song ‘Troubles’, declaring it an ode to looking after your mental health and encouraging the crowd to check in with their friends.  This vibe-switch is testament to how chameleon-like Denzel is as a rapper, as his music continues to explore every corner of rap. Spanning from hard-hitting headbangers to his latest songs containing thoughtful, introspective lyrics laced over old-school instrumental hip-hop type beats.

With a closing encore of the Kenny Beats-produced ‘DIET_’ — inciting a final eruption of crowd pandemonium — it’s clear that Denzel is welcome back to play in London anytime, with a mob of Denzel Curry die-hards already eagerly-anticipating his return with their arms wide open and their pits ready to be moshed. 

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More about: 1Denzel Curry