Casey Veggies Shakes Up SOB’s in NYC

At around 8 p.m., a young Damon St. Cloud stepped on the stage of SOB’s in downtown Manhattan, ready to open for Casey Veggies. It’s a Monday night, so the crowd should be dedicated, right? Right. Just as St. Cloud was setting the vibe with DJ Phyer, telling the audience to get pumped, sing along, get wild—"just no fighting”—a mob of people rushed into venue. The show is about to start.

The seemingly open venue became tight and filled with energy. St. Cloud was followed up by Trial & Era. The trio delivered a real, old school New York hip-hop vibe. Their sound was loud and in your face, but, in the best way.

As soon as Trial & Era left the stage, there was a lull and before I could get my iPhone ready everyone turned around with their eyes and phones glued to Veggies coming out of backstage through the crowd and onto the Stage. The Odd Future affiliate has been dropping mixtapes since he was 14 and it shows. Veggies played the venue several years back for a sold out show with Rita Ora, which was probably a different vibe than last night’s. This show is one of the first stops on his PNCINTL tour (Peas and Carrots International, the label Veggies was first connected with. Now he’s signed to Epic). The tour is in support for his major label debut, Live and Grow. It’s kind of crazy to think of an artist having this strong of a fanbase without a full album out.

The best word to describe Veggies’ on stage is energy; good, strong, and happy energy that changes the room. Rappers have a tendency to have their whole crew on stage or get the audience up with them. It is clear that Veggies is a performer and he wants his audience to leave his show feeling like they got what they paid for. Veggies came on stage completely Baped out in a camo snapback and black shark hoodie opening with “She In My Car.” Naturally, the crowd went wild. After that, Veggies made a point to shout out every part of New York—Harlem, Long Island, LES, Brooklyn—showing as much love for the East Coast as he could. Hailing from Inglewood, Veggies reps Los Angeles but knows the importance of showing the city he’s in the love it deserves.

When Veggies said “jump” the crowd responded, enthusiastically with “how high?” When “Aladdin/Interlude2” came on, the bass shook the entire venue as Veg rapped “floating through the streets like Aladdin.” Casey’s set was really made with the last two tracks, “Tied Up” a brand new track with Dej Loaf, and (duh) “Backflip,” which ultimately set the crowd off; the best way to close a set. Even after his performance, fans were still bumpin’. CV gave the biggest thanks to his fans for coming out to support him, teasing them asking “are you really gonna buy my album or just download it?” He walked off stage with Post Malone's “White Iverson” playing in the background and very satisfied.—Ellie Doh