Hailing from the streets of Dublin, Rejjie Snow has cemented himself as a staple in and amongst the Irish rap scene ever since 2013’s EP Rejovich. This month, he commenced his extensive European tour, most recently performing at Leeds’ iconic grassroots venue, Belgrave Music Hall.
Before gracing the stage, first came Miso Extra, characterised by a myriad of pastel, pink strobes, and pulsating beats. Blending pop, rap, dance, and R&B elements, the singer quickly captivated the crowd, with those at the front forming a welcoming crescent at the edge of the stage as she sat, danced, and spoke with them. The energy in the room peaked as she debuted her latest track, ‘Good Kisses’ – released just the day before – which she announced was a collaboration with indie-electronic giants, Metronomy. In that moment, it felt as though the crowd were witnessing something truly special; the brilliance of the collaboration heightened the sense of exclusivity and excitement that filled the air.
Shortly after Miso Extra’s departure came the main act, for whom the crowd were audibly primed and ready to go. Shyly stepping on to the stage to a huge roar from the floor, Snow was welcomed onto an understated stage, decorated only by a cup of tea, a can of water, and a towel, where he set up camp for the evening. Dripping in encrusted jewellery, including his signature The Snow Face chain, it was striking how a figure so effortlessly fashionable and captivating – already a standout in fashion circles after his debut Louis Vuitton runway show last year – could also be so down-to-earth.
The first few tracks on the setlist were fan favourites, illuminating the vibe of the music hall and getting the crowd warmed up. ‘Blakkst Skn’ and ‘Egyptian Luvr’ sent energy surging through Leeds’ iconic venue, before he jumped into newer tracks from his latest album, Peace 2 Da World.
Though only released in late October, Snow quickly formed a palpable connection with one fan in particular when he noticed their ability to recite his fast-paced rap verses word for word. Throughout the set, this connection clearly resonated with the rapper, culminating in Snow applauding him and passing the microphone during ‘Room 27’. This moment transformed the gig from a performance into a shared experience, making the audience feel less like passive concertgoers and more like a close-knit community.
Intermittently taking a break for a sip of tea and a quick revisit of his setlist, Snow was largely reserved on stage for the first half of his set, only engaging with the crowd to encourage hands to go up and admiring the energy that the tightly-knit Leeds crowd brought with them. However, this coyness didn’t last for too long, with things heating up a notch with the intense opening beats of ‘Bye Polar’. This felt like a core shift in the setlist that reflected not only his eclectic style but ability to produce and perform tracks with a variety of depth, meaning, and energy behind them.
With Rejjie opening up a “safe space” for his fans to sing along to each and every one of his songs, the vibe became more communal and dancey with each track. Another standout moment of the night came when the idyllic opening to the single ‘Rio De Janeiro’ played – transporting 300-odd people to the beaches of Brazil, far away from the issues tormenting the world outside the venue doors.
Teasing the crowd with an encore, Snow came back onto the stage to perform his 2017 hit, ‘ACID TRIP’, which developed into an intimate, emotive, rendition with the crowd, who chanted back the chorus to the rapper in harmony. Ending the set with ‘SUNNY CALIFORNIA’, the gig concluded on a nostalgic high, symbolising how far the Irish rapper has journeyed since the beginning of his creative endeavours.
In its entirety, his performance underscored his understated yet often overlooked presence in the contemporary rap scene, while also showcasing the dedicated fanbase he’s cultivated over his eleven-year career. By inviting fans to meet him after the show and share a few words, Snow proved himself not only a talented performer but a genuine artist, deeply invested in his craft and in the supporters who have stood by him throughout the years.
Words by Ruby Brown
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