In a time where Lil Yachty speaks about Hip hop being “in a terrible place,” Lexa Gates serves as a ray of light. In the heart of Brooklyn, on a frigid December night, rising rap sensation Lexa Gates transformed Cafe Erzulie into a haven of warmth and energy. The Astoria native was catapulted into the limelight by the unexpected virality of her track “Angel” this past year, accumulating over seven hundred thousand streams on Spotify alone. Her fresh take on the Rapper aesthetic captures the hearts of many, from her music videos to her unique makeup and glasses. She had posted on her Instagram about a free show in Brooklyn for the first 175 people to attend the Cafe Erzulie on December 3rd. The show brought up a question to me: Who wants to be able to say they saw Lexa Gates’ first performance?
Getting to the venue, it was a rainy, cold night in Brooklyn. Waiting in line, plenty of people anxiously awaited to get in. Although the line took a while to get moving, no one budged. It was no complaints and all smiles. Walking into the venue, you can feel the excitement. Everyone came with a friendly attitude, chatting with each other. The comfort came from the understanding that if you are here, you are an early Lexa Gates supporter. You can already see a vast gathering around DJs with a microphone propped up. Surrounding it, everyone was holding their breath until Lexa came out, phones ready in their hands. One enthusiastic concert-goer even traveled from Massachusetts, considering the experience a perfect excuse for a New York getaway.
The room erupted in jovialities as Lexa Gates emerged, and a sea of smartphones rose to capture the moment. It was a communal breath-holding experience, a collective pause before Lexa’s performance. She stands there with a smile, taking in the moment. Angel, her big single this year, begins to play as she realizes the mic isn’t on. The song is cut but only serves to fuel the crowd’s enthusiasm. Undeterred, the audience picked up the slack, singing acapella lyrics, creating a surreal and unforgettable moment of unity. Lexa lets out a laugh as the situation gets handled. She then picks it back up and feels the overwhelming energy from the crowd as they sing louder than the speakers. From the first song, I knew Lexa’s music undeniably affected her listeners.
She continues to play songs from her release, “Universe Wrapped in Flesh,” showcasing her unique blend of rap and what I would describe as bedroom pop. Her music resembles a mix of 50 Cent, Earl Sweatshirt, and a fairy. She performed the songs “If I Die, I Die,” “Rotton To the Core,” “SFDC,” and “Where Are You?”. The bedroom pop sound mixed with gangster rap provides a refreshing sound in hip hop space where Lexa speaks from the heart about her early adulthood problems. And it resonates as the whole venue sings every song. They began jumping in the crowd in front of Lexa, with some people unable to contain themselves and inching closer and closer to the mic. You can tell people have been waiting for this night, and It felt like they were watching their favorite artists of the past ten years. Lexa Gates’ music is meant to be heard live. It is a different experience.
As for Lexa’s performance, she oozed her usual confidence even when she seemed to be overwhelmed with all the love coming to her. She began performing at first with pauses of laughter; it was a lot to take in. But as she went along, she found her grove and performed with as much confidence and vitality as her music employed. Picking up the mic and demanding the space’s undivided attention is the working of a true MC. The show ended after six songs, and the crowd stood still as Lexa walked away from the mic. It was a glimpse into what was to come, and it was perfect. Goldilocks would approve. The last puzzle piece was found. I can confidently say Lexa will be one of the industry’s most infectious acts going into 2024. A must listen, and she isn’t asking; she’s demanding. Leaving the venue, I couldn’t help but think that this is a day many people will remember for a long time. One of hip-hop’s most unique artists just performed in front of their home crowd before their impending meteoric rise. It is something I will never forget. She next performs at Irving Plaza on January 14th with Mavi headlining.
