Troy Ave Brings Out Fat Joe, Raekwon And Maino At Highline Ballroom

Troy Ave brought the streets to Highline Ballroom last night (Nov. 21). The stage was set. A BSB graffiti’d garage loading bay served as the backdrop. Troy brought the essence of the grimey New York City streets to the bougie luxury of Chelsea. A crowd of hungry rap fans watched with blunted squinted eyes as the self-made industry rebel blessed the mic with his signature gold-trimmed street confessions.

Several memorable New York acts touched the stage before Dope Boy Troy’s climactic arrival. Nitty Scott MC brought her boom bap horns and venomous bars, matching the energy of the room perfectly. Mayhem Lauren delivered some big body poetics and nearly knocked his head against the sneakers dangling from the prop telephone wire above him. “I’m so Queens you can feel me,” he rapped.

Funkmaster Flex came out and dropped bombs in the Ballroom, weaving Nas’ classics and Bobby Shmurda together into a vibrant, bass blaring medley. New York was in the building.

Finally, Troy Ave walked on stage and the energy was palpable. With a champagne bottle in one hand and the mic in the other, him and his infectious high-pitch rasp, shut the place down. He brought out New York legend Raekwon, who gave a passing the torch-style speech, and later on, Maino, who told the crowd, “Don’t get it twisted. New York is unified.” It was a memorable night: A celebration of all that Troy has accomplished thus far, and a promise of big things to come.

He played “All About the Money” last, which hit like a powdered dipped middle finger to every Troy Ave hater in the universe. What a night. —Charles Hoffman

Filed Under: show recap, Troy Ave

Categories: News