Over the past few years, rapper/producer MIKE has been releasing music at a prolific rate. Since 2018, he has released at least one album each year, and each one is a new, refreshing take on his signature baritone vocals that juxtapose the soulful loops he raps over. His latest is the bouncy Tony Seltzer-produced Pinball that was released in March this year, this release is even more impressive considering it was released as MIKE was overseas on his Somebody Fine Me Trouble World Tour. The artist spent the first half of his year overseas performing and last night (April 17), he brought his commanding stage presence to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer. On the first stop on the North American leg of his tour, along with fellow visionaries El Cousteau, Niontay, and 454, MIKE paraded around his discography for an all-encompassing set for an unforgettable night of bars and infectious energy.
As soon as the lights dimmed and El Cousteau walked out on stage in a trench coat and a tie, the crowd was immediately tuned in. Without any hesitation, he launched into an electrifying set that made everyone turn around and pay attention. The nuances of his flow and cadence came to life in a life setting. Soulful instrumentals turned into guitar-heavy loops with distorted drums and booming bass lines. Cousteau ensured no one left without adding a few songs to their playlist.
Seeing Niontay deliver his relaxed cadences over rapid-fire drums live is a spiritual experience. With an effortlessly cool stage presence, he delivered a performance that bordered on meditative if it weren’t for the cartoonish tempos and lyrical dexterity of the music. He gains undivided attention with ease, and once he has it, it is never lost. Niontay performed unreleased material that sounds immaculate is not to be outdone by the colorful medley of his already-released music. Niontay is already on a fast pace to be one of the most exciting young artists and his live show is the final layer of concrete on his road to rap supremacy.
With a mixture of Soundcloud favorites and songs from full LPs, 454 put on a masterclass of a performance. The cartoonish energy that makes his records so magnetic was amplified tonight. In front of a rowdy crowd that could spontaneously burst out into a mosh pit, 454 strung together hits from his Fast Trax 3 LP and favorites from his debut record like “Andretti” and “Late Night”. If you think the energy of his music is infectious, wait until you see it live. 454’s stage presence is as animated as the instrumentals he raps over. His ability to take his off-kilter vocals and translate them to a live setting showcases his true talents as a songwriter.
MIKE was already on his way to being a generational talent; his prolificness and ability to consistently evolve speaks for itself, but his ability as a performer solidifies him as one of the best musicians working right now. Bouncing around his sprawling discography, MIKE built his setlist like a photo album, pulling from different eras of his career to create an unforgettable setlist. He performed tracks such as “Swoosh 23” from his 2022 LP Beware of the Monkey and the title track from Burning Desire. He also pulled out some unreleased music that combines his work with Tony Seltzer and the wonky soul of Burning Desire. His vocals are more dynamic in a live setting, emphasizing the uniqueness of his cadence and flows; MIKE elevates every small detail of his songs with natural confidence.
If the Somebody Fine Me Trouble tour is coming to a city near you, sprint to the venue. El Cousteau, Niontay, 454, and MIKE is a lineup of rap all-stars creating the future while making intimate and present music. The Some Fine Me Tour is heading to Massachusetts next and will hit cities like Chicago, Denver, and Seattle, along with a few dates up in Canada. You can get tickets and the full list of dates below.
