Live

Isaiah Rashad: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London 8/3/23

As one of the most talked about rappers on the planet, it was little surprise that tickets for Isaiah Rashad's two nights in London were snapped up. The Top Dawg rapper has been an artist I've wanted to see for some time, and the sold-out crowd at Kentish Town Forum was a testament to his wide appeal.

As he took to the stage the 31-year-old admitted feeling horse, and while his voice sounded a little gravelly there was no compromise on the energy he put into his show. He took the welcome decision to perform alongside a live band - Manchester-based Oma - for the UK leg of his European tour, and the musicians perfectly complemented his distinctive flow.

Opening track "From the Garden" made way for the epic "Wat's Wrong", causing mayhem in the front rows as thousands of fans showed their appreciation. "RIP Young" was deployed surprisingly early in his hour-long set, but it bore testimony to the wealth of material at his disposal since his 2014 debut "Cilvia Demo".

The latest album "The House Is Burning" showcases one of the most exciting rappers around, and tracks from the record provided the backbone for a compelling performance. "Heavenly Father" from his debut was delivered with power and raw emotion, while "9-3 Freestyle" demonstrated that Rashad is up there with the top-tier artists.

"Headshots" and "Lay Wit Ya", which closed the night off, drew the biggest reactions and showed exactly why the Tennessee-born rapper has such a big following on these shores. With an excitable audience desperate for new material, it's going to be interesting watching his career flourish further in the next couple of years.

PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke