Music > Live Reviews
Loyle Carner
Norwich Arts Centre
05/10/16
On Tuesday evening Norwich Arts Centre hosted a sold out show featuring 21 year old south London rapper Loyle Carner, energetic rap duo Othasoul and local talent Cabrakid for an evening of chill wave and hip hop laced over perfectly assembled back beats. Who was I (or anyone else) to say no? People stream in, greeting friends, spilling beer and demonstrating subtle but well-thought-out dance moves, unconsciously narrowing them down to one as a go-to for the night. Forever, the stationary feet and head nod survives. It’s a classic.
Cabrakid emerge onto the stage, opening with crowd favourite Systems. The energy from local boys Jake and Gabriel spreads like fire as "There’s really nothing left in this life / I should probably get this shit off my mind" echoes through the room. Soon the spectators are part of the performance, and the boys go from strength to strength, swiftly moving through their flawless set list. We arrive at the half way point but seemingly there’s still so much to give as they slide into Angel Face with a soul-searching acapella verse to bring the track to a close. Since seeing the boys at the Waterfront Studio earlier this year, Cabrakid have found their sound; they have such raw talent that any development is not needed, but still is used. Climbing higher up the music ladder in each performance they’re definitely one to watch.
Othasoul are next up, making the stage their own after just seconds. The pair give a touch of tongue and cheek in their performance, whilst their music production is uplifting and professional. After Cabrakid’s emotionally fuelled set, the Arts Centre is well in need of exactly what Othasoul are about to give. Opening with Drain Pipes from their 2014 Real Talks EP, they then travel through the history of their hip hop - Sour Grapes, Changing Me and Sweet Bite all make the cut. Each song is performed with passion and some questionable hand dance moves. The crowd love it so I am definitely not one to judge. This performance definitely sets the bar for UK underground hip hop and is something to be proud of. The combination of strong beats, amazing sound, lights and atmosphere really dealt a good hand to these boys tonight and they took full advantage of it. Each track flowing into another with consistantly clean percussion is a style loved in the hip hop scene, and it’s the clear understanding of these elements which have given the boys the success they bask in the ambience of today. The set is closed with Real Talks, where the instrumental hits the tail end of deep house as produced by Shift K3y. Of course it’s bought back to Othasoul standards by laying the bars down and enticing the crowd with their fun and careless approach to performing. It’s nothing less than refreshing.
Loyle Carner has crept his way to the top subtly and with dignity by creating a sound which is both gritty and effortless, giving us the stripped back poetic hip hop fix we didn’t even know we needed, but now made aware of. DJ / producer Rebel Kleff combines J Dilla/A Tribe Called Quest inspired beats set under bars so riddled with emotion, memories and hopes that you believe every word as if it were your own. Breaking into his A Little Late EP, with stand out moments BFG and Cantona, the reconstructed church is filled with an atmosphere so deep and euphoric there isn’t a single individual left that hasn’t been swallowed up by the glory and talent of this young rapper's storytelling. The subject of Carner's songs focus on his family; the loss of his stepdad and the love he has for his ever supportive mother. Sets like the one given on Tuesday are not for larger crowds - when you feel as if the whole performance flows into one flawless gap in time then you know you’re onto a winner. We enjoy football chants and between song chit-chat, plus the sheer excitement mirrored from the crowd to Loyle himself as he’s handed then tries on some pink late 90’s children’s sunglasses. Irrelevant to the music itself, but small moments like these show that Carner is genuine and here to make music as his passion and not for a job. The performance of Florence sends the crowd further into a daze, explaining that his step mum will soon be adopting, giving Carner the younger sister he has always desired. Tonight really is a family affair.
It’s almost time to leave and all previous performers flood onto the stage for a final send off. The sense of love, community and equality between all talents is refreshing and uplifting. To make it simple, if you weren’t there, you missed out. If you’re unaware of Loyle Carners presence in the underground UK hip hop scene, make yourself aware. It's talents like these that go unmissed because of the assumption that you’ve probably heard something similar before. Please ignore that small voice in the back of your head saying you’ll Google him later and then never actually do it. Listen to him now, this minute. Then I dare you to tell me you’re not impressed.
Thanks to Jessica Foulger for use of her video footage.