Music, Why Not!

Ghostemane @ The Opera House – Toronto, ON, Canada (SUPPORT: H09909, Dana Dentata, Horus the Astroneer)

West Palm Beach, FL-based rapper and singer, Ghostemane, is already halfway through finishing his 2019 North American world tour and has already released a stellar EP, entitled Fear Network. From that, he has managed to release a unique collaborative track with his tour mates H09909 (pronounced HORROR), entitled TWIST OF FATE/COBRA, and he really managed to change his sound for the better, based on the new production on his tracks, his music styles, and so forth. Known for his industry rock-rap sounds with strong influences on Southern hip-hop culture, he has collaborated with his various contemporaries like Lil Peep, Pouya, & Fat Nick, as well as having a strong catalogue of his own original work, where he delivers much content about his views on life, his rise to fame and lifestyle, and his strong knowledge on astronomy. When he was about to perform in Toronto’s Opera House, he managed to get the show warmed up with his opening act, Horus the Astroneer, delivering great stage energy and performing cult classics for the day one BLACKMAGE fans, especially his best track, Rocket Man.

To get it started off, Toronto-based rapper Dana Dentata, who has been co-signed with the likes of Kanye West & Marilyn Manson, started off with more raunchy, darker tracks about her lifestyle, the way she treats people if they approach her wrong, and much more. Dentata came with a DJ and a guitarist, in which they brought darker, heavy bass, 808-type tracks, and it was amazing. Her style has much of a darker ambiance when it comes to production, but the way she portrays her music is quite interesting. She also serenades the crowd with her stage movement, intricate vocals, unique cadences and it was something that I pretty much enjoyed myself. She seems to have so much fun performing but she also keeps it real and makes the best out of her performance, regardless.

After Dana’s set, Newark, NJ-based metal/rock-rap duo H09909 (pronounced as ‘HORROR’) portrayed strong amounts of entertainment throughout their stage presence. The duo performed quite well with the variety of songs on stage. For instance, they perform with the crowd, stage dive, jump onto their musical instruments and stage equipment, mosh on the stage, and much more to bring a typical rock/metal show, even though there is a hip-hop influence.  Being the first black duo in metal/rock-rap, it really impressed me that they managed to perform so well on stage. They actually perform great with their instruments and make their sound seem quite unique with what they portray. The duo also had great energy on stage, as well as stage and crowd participation, incorporated with movements and unique industry rock sounds that make their set astonishing. Their wardrobe was quite unique for a metal/rock-rap duo and they seem not to be afraid of taking chances with the sounds and styles that they are taking.

After every opener performed, it was all on Ghostemane to deliver what is expected, and he managed to perform well, based on his industry rock sound and use of stage dynamics to get the crowd going. His Toronto fans were at an all-time high with their crowd participation, moshing, throwing things around the crowd, and so forth. The thing that drives the West Palm Beach rapper’s relevance with his fans is his rock-based aesthetic to get them to enjoy his music, and how his music is therapy for his fans to express their anger and emotions in a more comfortable way. The bass and hard-hitting 808’s made the show very exquisite. The way the show was set up would have made it look like a heavy metal show, but it is actually a rap show with a hard rock/metal aesthetic. The stage lights were quite low to ensure the artist’s mystique and make it look more menacing for him. There was a guitarist for the show, as well as a person playing a half-dead actor/zombie, to give it a very gothic look. For a sold out show, people were quite close to each other and stayed together for the moshing and heavy havoc. What made this Ghostemane show amazing in its own way is his stage energy, his lyricism, and unique flow, and it made me more interested to check out his new stuff. Ghostemane will still continue on his tour until June 28th, 2019 at Velvet Jones, in Santa Barbara, California. You can keep up with the schedule at https://www.ghostemane.com/north-america-tour-2019.

Ghostemane

H09909

Dana Dentata

By: Joshua Habtwold | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!

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