Gavlyn LIVE @ Birthdays, Dalston 20.1.14

Hundreds of artists pass through the doors of Dalston’s Birthdays venue and take to the stage to either sing, rap or DJ. Having been to many shows there and after having been present for Broken Complex member Gavlyn’s recent set, I have to say that 99.9% of the artists I have been lucky enough to see are nowhere near as underrated as the LA rapper.

Performing alongside the immensely skilled pair of DJ Mike Steez and fellow rapper Oh Blimey, Gavlyn showed everyone in attendance just why Snoop Dogg featured her on his GGN web series in 2014 with a lively set. The energy that Gavlyn brought to the stage throughout was electric and the clear bond that she has on stage with Oh Blimey added to the hyped-up atmosphere in the crowded venue.

Having released her last album Modest Confidence back in 2014, many of the tracks performed were from that release, including brilliant performances of ‘Forward Back’, ‘Guilty Pleasure’ and title track ‘Modest Confidence’. Oh Blimey took it in turns with Gavlyn to take centre stage and performed a host of tracks from her recently released album MNFSTO, including an animated performance of energetic party starter ‘Bass Face’ and at one point also invited members of the crowd up on stage to party whilst the two rappers performed.

Not one to disappoint, Gavlyn found time to perform ‘What I Do’, the track which has earned her over seven million views on YouTube and the crowd responded with huge cheers as the beat kicked in and bounced and rapped along with the 23 year old, who looked at home on the stage from the minute she stepped out onto it. Ending the set by performing the final track of the night in the middle of the crowd, Gavlyn and Oh Blimey’s passion for their music was hugely contagious and ensured that their show will not be forgotten quickly.

Unfortunately in the UK, it takes a while for talented independent US Hip Hop artists to filter through to our musical consciousness, but for Gavlyn in particular, it is time for us as a music loving nation to really sit up and take notice. The flow with which she raps and the wordplay she uses is what sets Gavlyn apart from the majority of artists out there at the moment. There is no gangsta talk or boasting of wealth within her music; this is straight Hip Hop. If the rest of Gavlyn’s European tour is as good as her London show was then the rest of Europe is in for an absolute treat.

Make sure you follow Gavlyn on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest tour information, music news and everything else from this hugely talented artist.

Matt Tarr
@MattTarrJourno

Gavlyn & Oh Blimey wowed the crowd

Gavlyn & Oh Blimey wowed the crowd

Gavlyn spraying some fire

Gavlyn spraying some fire

Oh Blimey taking centre stage

Oh Blimey taking centre stage

Gavlyn & Oh Blimey ended their set in the crowd

Gavlyn & Oh Blimey ended their set in the crowd

Matt Tarr

Matt Tarr

Urban Music Editor
With grime and hip hop being major influences on him growing up in South East London, Matt's passion is urban music but over the years he has gathered a hugely diverse taste, ranging from Wiley to The Smiths by way of Machine Head, that has made him a very open minded individual.
Matt Tarr
Gigslutz Urban
About Matt Tarr
With grime and hip hop being major influences on him growing up in South East London, Matt's passion is urban music but over the years he has gathered a hugely diverse taste, ranging from Wiley to The Smiths by way of Machine Head, that has made him a very open minded individual.