In Review: Loski @ Islington Academy

"Spartan baby we’re the realist ones…." That is definitely true for Loski who took to O2’s Islington Academy last week for his first ever headline show which of course was sold out.

The South London rapper has been releasing solo cuts for quite a while away from his Harlem Spartans crew with tracks such as Hazard back in 2016 but recently, he has really stepped into the limelight with the release of his debut mixtape Call Me Loose; proving he has a promising future ahead of him.

Kenny Allstar warmed the crowd up for the rapper, playing a number of drill cuts for everyone to get in the mood for what was to come with tracks from M Huncho, Headie One and more.

Loski came out onto the stage to the crowd going wild for him, kicking off his set with fan favourite, the aforementioned Hazard; showcasing Loski’s undefinable energy at every turn of every lyric. He then performed a few cuts from the Call Me Loose tape, including the like of DJ Khaled.

It was then time for a special surprise guest and Brixton Hill’s K Trap emerged on the stage to join Loski for David Blaine. Loski continued with more tracks afterwards such as Teddy Bruckshot - another firm fan-favourite and had the crowd energised.

Headie One also took to the stage with Loski as another surprise guest for Drill and then performed his own latest tracks Banter On Me and Know Better. London’s Calling saw a succession of special guest all at once including Avelino, Posty, and Asco who all performed their own verses, with Asco also performing his own track So Litt afterwards.

It was only right to end the night on some of his most recent video releases from the mixtape which have amassed millions of views in a short space of time. Forrest Gump and Cool Kid came accompanied with lazer lights flashing all across the stage and everyone in the crowd knowing every single lyric.

Loski has proved with his debut mixtape and headline show that he is moving drill music to a higher level along some of his peers. He is truly a breath of fresh air with his distinctive voice, gritty content and energetic lyrics and performance.

Words by Shireen Fenner. Image courtesy of Qavi Reyez