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What we learned watching Tory Lanez live
Canadian born Tory Lanez gives his usual crowd surfing performance on his short UK tour.
If by chance you’re listening to any Tory Lanez track today and thinking to yourself “I know this song” but you can’t quite place it, you will be absolutely forgiven as you’re most likely listening to one of his influences from a ’90s or early ’00s R&B or reggae banger.
Another kid from the area of Toronto that seems to be consistently producing a fine calibre of R&B and rap artists, Tory bounced around Canada and the United States from age 15 after troubles with his family due to behavioural issues. The next 3 years turned him from boy to man as he learned to defend and raise himself and find the artist he has now become.
With a genre saturated by artists with capable vocal abilities, Tory has managed to stand out from the Bryson Tillers, T-Pain and Jacquees of this world who have been known to sample a banger or two themselves.
So, here’s what we learnt from his recent O2 Academy Brixton show.
From humble beginnings
Since his debut UK show at London’s Birthdays to his latest tour, culminating at the 02 Academy Brixton, Tory Lanez has consistently showcased his club bangers and respectable Spotify playlist mainstays. On-the-night classics such as Diego, Say It, his infectious feature on Meek Mills Litty, and possibly our favourite Tory Lanez tune Shooters, have his full energy behind them. According to the man himself the UK is his biggest fan base, so after thanking us at the end of the show a round of applause erupts that maybe even passengers getting off the tube down the road can hear.
He loves a sample
We can’t help but love when Tory brings us a tune he’s sampled from a R&B or ragga (not reggae) classic like Skrt Skrt from his latest album Memories Don’t Die. The track samples Sasha’s 1998 Dat Sexy Body, while Say It from 2016’s I Told You borrows from Brownstone’s epic 1994 If You Love Me. It’s fair to say it’s a winning formula that should continue throughout his musical journey, and we aren’t complaining a single bit.
Crowd surfing front to back
Tory Lanez likes a bit of a crowd-surfing, joined by his fans at any event he performs at. Hearts jump to mouths, hoping the crowd don’t let him drop. But you can see his willingness to be part of the energy flowing through the venue and the crowd. His fans genuinely feel like they’ve been with him on his uphill journey from the start. With his charismatic stage presence and the rawness of his emotions, re-telling his journey to his adoring fan base he dubs “family”, every show feels like home for this Canadian native.
Tory Lanez has some serious homegrown and high profile UK support. Fans even enjoyed two full songs from Krept n Konan and Stefflon Don. Both showed love for the Canadian rapper and singer while he finessed in London town. With an evidently strong following here in the UK, he’ll back in November for Spotify’s annual Who We Be showcase at Alexandra Palace, which is packed with so much talent. Tory Lanez is sure to more than compliment the line-up’s sheer pulling power.
Catch Tory Lanez at Spotify presents Who We Be at Alexandra Palace on 28 November 2018. Tickets will be available from 10:00 on Friday 5 October 2018 through Ticketmaster.co.uk.
