Kobi Onyame’s debut album Gold got a much deserved nomination for the Scottish Album of the Year awards, and his live show is just as strong as the music on the record.
The Ghanaian-Glaswegian hip hop artist was playing in home territory in Glasgow, at the intimate venue of Stereo. Good beer upstairs. Good vibes down in the venue. We like it.
Gold is a record filled with Ghanaian influence, with a whole host of instruments popping up on the album, measured lyrics and some well-placed timely basslines and harder verses making it a bit of a dance frenzy too. Kobi spared none of this on stage, playing alongside a band consisting of keys, drums, guitars, trumpets and saxophones and getting the crowd moving as he did so.
Each of the instrumentalists played their part perfectly and led by the charismatic Kobi at centre stage, clearly a natural and very comfortable performer, the album translated to the live stage brilliantly.
The Ghanaian-Glaswegian hip hop artist was playing in home territory in Glasgow, at the intimate venue of Stereo. Good beer upstairs. Good vibes down in the venue. We like it.
Gold is a record filled with Ghanaian influence, with a whole host of instruments popping up on the album, measured lyrics and some well-placed timely basslines and harder verses making it a bit of a dance frenzy too. Kobi spared none of this on stage, playing alongside a band consisting of keys, drums, guitars, trumpets and saxophones and getting the crowd moving as he did so.
Each of the instrumentalists played their part perfectly and led by the charismatic Kobi at centre stage, clearly a natural and very comfortable performer, the album translated to the live stage brilliantly.
Onyame got the crowd involved right from the start with call and responses too, and it made the gig a lot more enjoyable. He’d teach lines and call backs before songs, and the end result was that he had the crowd in the palm of his hands.
‘Imminence (Only a Matter of Time O)’ was one of the first examples of this and a song with delicious keyboard input and a very catchy chorus.
‘Wedadi’ is an irresistible song and put the brass section to good work, ‘Back Again’ a contrastingly smooth number with memorable hook, ‘D M C R Z Y’ a song with all sorts of instrumental levels, and ‘Gold’ incredibly playful. The lyrics of course are strong throughout, as is Onyame’s performance - showing heaps of energy and keeping the audience engaged.
Final song ‘Still We Rise’ is a beautiful number, with a wonderful, wistful melody, and a soulful chorus. Kobi leaves to huge applause from the crowd as the band plays on for a few more minutes after his departure to end a wonderful night.
A fantastic show from the Ghanaian-Glaswegian hip hop artist, and a clear sign, if the album wasn’t enough already, that he could go on to much bigger and better things.
5/5
Stuart Kenny
‘Imminence (Only a Matter of Time O)’ was one of the first examples of this and a song with delicious keyboard input and a very catchy chorus.
‘Wedadi’ is an irresistible song and put the brass section to good work, ‘Back Again’ a contrastingly smooth number with memorable hook, ‘D M C R Z Y’ a song with all sorts of instrumental levels, and ‘Gold’ incredibly playful. The lyrics of course are strong throughout, as is Onyame’s performance - showing heaps of energy and keeping the audience engaged.
Final song ‘Still We Rise’ is a beautiful number, with a wonderful, wistful melody, and a soulful chorus. Kobi leaves to huge applause from the crowd as the band plays on for a few more minutes after his departure to end a wonderful night.
A fantastic show from the Ghanaian-Glaswegian hip hop artist, and a clear sign, if the album wasn’t enough already, that he could go on to much bigger and better things.
5/5
Stuart Kenny
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