Bryson Tiller Shuts Down New York City With Two Sold-Out Shows

Internet hype is a crazy thing in 2015. Millions of streaming plays or thousands of YouTube views are deemed an accomplishment, but that doesn't necessarily translate into record sales or show turn out, especially for a young gun. That's why it's surprising that new artist hype can spread like wildfire online, while the musician themselves may not be able to fill a small venue, let alone pack it. It's safe to say that such buzz surrounding Kentucky crooner Bryson Tiller is at an all time high. His debut album, T R A P S O U L, was released in late September, promoted everywhere and spearheaded by lovelorn anthems like "Don't" and "Sorry Not Sorry." Hip-hop fans couldn't get away from Tiller if they wanted to.

But to see a line wrapped around the block for not one but two sold out shows in Manhattan is the hype personified. The shows brought out an array of NYC archetypes: the girls who think they're going to a club, the rappers who want to get discovered themselves, the seasoned industry folk who want to get in on the action. As the let-out to the 7 p.m. show occurred and the crowd for the 10:15 p.m. set grew, there was an exchange of information. "How was he? How long was the set? Did he do [insert your favorite song]?" By 10 p.m., Tumblr girls were marking their territory for the show in any way they could in order to get within eye shot of the man of the hour. And then at 11:15 pm, young Pen Griffery walked up through the audience to the stage as if any other guy in the place. Calmly sporting a flannel, jeans, a T R A P S O U L concert tee and low hat, it almost seemed like he was in disbelief that everyone was there for him.

Drowning in neon lights and smoke, the 22-year-old ran through his short but soulful discography, taking little time between each song.

By the time he got to his signature Soundcloud darling, "Don't," the entire place became a chorus, singing as if it were already a Billboard hit. There were plenty of lusty looks being exchanged and photogs fighting for angles.

The RCA signee, recently featured on XXL's The Break, has drawn comparisons to many of his contemporaries like OVO's Roy Woods and even The Weeknd. With humble beginnings, a cosign from Drake and an out-of-the-park debut, young Tiller is primed to become the new face of R&B. Believe the hype.