Photo by Amy Lombard

OK, look: We love YBN Cordae. The North Carolina rapper possesses a bonafide pen — he fired legit shots to all the old heads in J. Cole’s “1985” diss and is a lyrical beacon among what some may call a misguided, if not misunderstood, rap generation. To have YBN Cordae hit the Bay so soon after his Chance the Rapper-assisted song, “Bad Idea” drop is a treat, and we swear it.

BUT — let’s not ignore the other mic wizards supporting him tonight. DUCKWRTH, a Bay Area-affiliate by way of south central LA, released his EP The Falling Man in May, an emotional roller coaster of a record. Tia Nomore, Ricky Lake and WADE08, meanwhile, have been putting in the miles in the Text Me Records headquarters at Different Fur studios. There’s no shortage of proof that all three together can pump out some bangers hopefully tonight can offer a dose of each rapper’s unique style and charisma, from Tia’s firecracker persona to WADE08’s playful bravado, which can be heard on recent mixtape, “F.T.T.O.I.”

YBN Cordae, DUCKWRTH, Tia Nomore, Wade08, Ricky Lake
The New Parish
June 19, 2019
9pm, $25