Show Recap: Danny Brown’s “Old And Reckless Tour” Hits NYC

Danny Brown’s energy level is, at times, difficult to comprehend.  Playing to a wall-to-wall crowd last night (May 7) at New York City’s Irving Plaza, the Detroit rapper simply never stopped moving.  In an hour-long dance with the audience that jumped from fist-pumping to head-banging to his ever-present bounce, Danny Brown looked completely at home.

Wearing a baggy, all-black ensemble in front of a skull-with-Danny-Brown-hair backdrop, the Fool’s Gold Records MC opened hard with the recently released “Jealousy.”  The crowd, which was jam-packed on the ground floor and hanging off the second-floor balcony, knew every word to “WitIt,” chanting “I’m wit’ it” and “Oh Danny, you so nasty” so perfectly that it sounded rehearsed. The show pulsed non-stop through a generous sampling of tracks from his critically acclaimed 2011 album, XXX, including “Radio Song”, “Lie4”, “I Will”, “Bruiser Brigade” and “Monopoly.”  The 2012 XXL Freshman also performed some of his most well-known guest verses, including his contributions to Ab-Soul’s “Terrorist Threats," A-Trak’s “Piss Test” and Evil Nine’s “Black Brad Pitt.”

Last night’s show was part of the Bruiser Brigade rapper’s “Old & Reckless” tour, his first-ever tour as headliner. Rapper Kitty Pryde came along for about half the stops.  The young Florida native—an Internet sensation in her own right—kicked off the evening with a set that was nearly equal parts performance and playful conversation with the crowd.  She was by all means a successful hype girl—by the end of her set, the fans were fully energized, screaming for Danny Brown, and went wild when his DJ finally walked onstage.

Brown rounded out the evening with renditions of his recently released “Kush Coma” and “Express Yourself,” giving a little taste of his forthcoming album, Old.  He told XXL, "Expect the unexpected. Old is about accepting your past so you can appreciate the future. I made this album at my pace and I'm proud of the product I have. Can't wait 'til people hear it."

With the innate ability to channel an expansive register of emotions in his live show, Danny Brown is a captivating performer. Last night’s show was no exception, as evidenced by the throngs of hopeful fans who stood and chanted “Danny” long after he had left the stage. –Written by Katie Moore