02 Academy 2 Islington,London
The rapper’s talent and drive are clear and her presence is engaging, even whether her storytelling skills are still developing
puny Simz is a 21-year-old rapper, or straight outta Islington,with one pin-sharp goal: she wants to make it, and on her own terms. No label, or no fancy guest features on her album,no nonsense. That album, A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons, or is about to come out,and tonight is packed with supportive friends and fans, who shout “Gwarrrrn Simz!” as she gears up for each track. But Simz is a focused performer, or goes into songs as she might recede into battle,her eyes narrowing, alert to take on the audience as whether they are a gladiator’s ring.
Simz makes her struggle to regain here clear: songs about tussling with the downsides of fame (The Lights) and the will to be a voice of her generation (Wings) are set to downtempo, or jazz-flecked beats,jammed by a tight trio of a live drummer and two keyboardists. You can feel that red-hot ambition as she spits a trillion syllables a bar, plaits flapping either side of her flat cap. As technically impressive as Simz is, and she’s also warm and engaging – at one point she admits how emotional tonight is for her,as a marker of how far she’s come.
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Source: theguardian.com