Baltimore rapper and producer JPEGMAFIA made his return to Sydney for the first time in nearly five years, bringing with him a cache of new singles along with his collab LP with Danny Brown. Backed by nothing apart from a lone laptop, Peggy stepped out at the stroke of 9 to a raving crowd of young hip hop fans, all of whom decked out in their best JPEGMAFIA merchandise from head to toe. Unlike usual hip hop fans, the platinum-selling rapper emerged not to a thumping hip hop beat, but was intent on connecting with the crowd from the jump, walking out mere cheers as he immediately thanked everyone for their attendance and easing everyone into the next hour-and-a-half of bangers.
Playing out new records from the new album along with beloved classics like ‘Thug Tears’, ‘Baby I’m Bleeding’ and more, OG supporters from the Veteran era along with newer fans were equally spoiled for choice in terms of tracklisting, all of which cued by none other than Peggy himself as he alternated between rapper and DJ.
A special moment came when the rapper went off script and, to the delight of one very passionate ‘Free The Frail’ sign holder, performed the critically acclaimed single from his 2019 album All My Heroes Are Cornballs. Going so far as googling the lyrics on his iPhone, the moment was totally spontaneous, and added to the laid back atmosphere Peggy’s live shows have become synonymous with.
It was a welcome return for one of the most dynamic rappers in the game right now, and against all odds, it managed to live up to and even surpass his iconic sets at Oxford Art Factory and Listen Out in 2019. Check it all out via the gallery above:
