Words By Seamus Fay & John Matraia

Cover Photo by @1takeace

Baby Keem’s first-ever New York City show did not have an opener. When you’re a 19-year old phenom, characterized by high-octane energy and undeniable star power, though, an opener isn’t a requirement. Baby Keem is the star of his own show, and even with figures like Drake and A$AP Rocky showing up to support, he refuses to compromise what he’s trying to build. After all, Baby Keem isn’t here to cash in on the moment; he’s here for the long-haul, or so he’s told us thus far.

Soaring off of the success of his debut album — the intensely charismatic Die For My Bitch — the 19-year old rapper has been on a tear all throughout 2019. “Orange Soda” is emerging onto the charts as a still-growing hit, Keem is already selling out shows, and best of all, he’s handling the spotlight with remarkable control, calculated and thoughtful in his every move.

This poise is no coincidence. Artistically, Keem considered the future from the start, and didn’t rush into anything. Each song from his older projects hold up even now, and with an early Cardo cosign marking a strong majority of the work, it’s clear that Keem never compromised quality for immediacy. He built his sound out, released projects one after another, and maintained slow-burning growth, knowing that the moment would come when this thoughtful build would pay off. This calculated sentiment bled into his live set, just as well.

If you attended this show unaware of who Baby Keem was, you wouldn’t peg him as a 19-year old on his first tour. Sure, this may have been his first string of shows around the country, but no, Keem wasn’t phased in any way, shape, or form. Unbridled confidence is a large part of what has shaped the excitement around his catalog thus far, and this certainly wasn’t lost on the stage. He was in his element, prepared, composed, and aware of his stature as a first-time touring act. Keem knew exactly what he needed to make NYC one for the books, and he delivered so.

The progression of the set played on the hype around Keem’s artistry. After a 15-minute set from his DJ, playing New York classics from the “Work Remix” to “Welcome To The Party,” “Faneto,” and more, Keem entered the room in the middle of the dominant “I am 50 Cent” refrain from the second half of “Moshpit.” The lyric was a demand in and of itself, and immediately set the bar for an adrenaline-inducing night, from the first seconds of Keem’s set to the last.

As the refrain came to a close, Keem let out an electrifying scream in succession with a determined stare, only to start rapping the verse on the back end of the track. From there, he kept the same energy, tearing his way through songs like “France Freestyle” and “Rockstar P” with a backdrop of minimalist, bright lighting that matched Keem’s aesthetic throughout. At times, the stage lighting even depicted Keem as a colored silhouette, offering supreme confidence at the hands of 280 screaming fans.

This confidence, along with the high levels of composure and awareness that Keem displayed, can be rare to find in an artist of Keem’s age. He knocked every single aspect under his control out of the park, and that’s what made this one a night to remember. Even as the 40-minute set came to a close, it was clear that the crowd was primed for more — a unicorn feat for a 2019 sensation.

A year or two from now, looking back on a 280-cap Baby Keem show will probably seem absurd. From overarching energy to the most minute details of timing, Keem was prepared for this moment. There were no shenanigans, and he made a lasting impression. Hell, even Lil Dicky stood in attendance, singing along to every lyric. We’re watching LeBron James in high school, and the only thing to do is stop, stare, and enjoy the show.

At one point during the performance, Keem stepped back for a moment, only to remind every member of the audience that they are a “day one” fan. This daring belief of potential, rooted in what almost feels like inevitable success for such a promising act, was a commanding element of the night. Baby Keem knows his worth right now, and he sees the spotlight creeping into focus. If it’s up to him, stadiums are on the horizon — just try and stop and him.

In order to end the show, Keem lit up the venue with the ever-enthralling and self-assured anthem, “Stats.” Rapping every lyric with the utmost conviction, his voice cracked. After all, Keem was younger than most fans there.