Spotify Continued Its Popular Nationwide Concert Series, “Rap Caviar Live” In Houston On Thursday, December 14th, With Another Significant Showing By The Premier Music Streamer

Rap Caviar, a dynamic official playlist run by the streaming service, has amassed more than 8 million followers, and has become a breakout and spotlight opportunity for new hits and up-and-coming rappers in the streaming world. Partnering with Live Nation, Spotify was able to create a circuit of promotional venues.

Hosted at Houston’s Revention Music Center downtown, this was the 5th of Rap Caviar’s 6-city tour. Previous shows have been to Atlanta, New York, Chicago, and even Toronto, and showcased artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Dipset, Mike WiLL Made-It, Cardi B, and the A$AP Mob.

Led by Houston Legends Bun B and Trae Tha Truth, as well as a household name in hip hop, Gucci Mane, Spotify boasted a solid lineup of both some of the foremost Rap Caviar stars Tory Lanez and YBN Nahmir, as well as younger local rappers Maxo Kream, Trill Sammy, and Dice Soho. DJ Mister Rogers, another Houston veteran, kept the crowd vibe consistent in between acts.

GUCCI MANE

With tickets at a lower price point of $5 to ensure the concert was accessible by all ages & local music fans, it was no surprise that a the venue was a full-house. Revention’s standing room only by the stage as well as their balcony seats were close to capacity. Each performer was on their best game.

Beyond the powerful lineup, the show’s presence and significance was bolstered due to the recent Hurricane that hit the city of Houston. Trae Tha Truth and DJ Mister Rogers publicly have put their musical endeavors on hold as they teamed up amidst the storm to form “Relief Gang.” The two Houstonians, often in conjunction with Bun B’s continued philanthropic efforts in the city, are still providing food, supplies, furniture, and home rebuilding for many impacted families all over the city, weeks after the natural disaster. Although the storm hit the city back in August, their work and dedication to the city has continued all the way into December. See how you can still help Relief Gang and the city of Houston by clicking: https://www.gofundme.com/ReliefGang. Even further, Spotify and Live Nation Urban partnered with Samsung the week before the show to dedicate a variety of charitable events.

Dice Soho, Maxo Kream, and Trill Sammy were the first up, all three of which have gained significant growth as established Houston stars. Dice Soho and Trill Sammy performed their joint hit “Just Watch,” as well as Trill Sammy’s “Uber Everywhere.” Trill Sammy continued his set solo, and at one point jumped in and waded through the crowd.

TRILL SAMMY

Next up were Alabama-based collective YBN, led by front-man YBN Nahmir, who recently gained viral attention from “Rubbin Off The Paint” that caught the attention of Spotify Rap Caviar’s spotlight. The crew, by far the youngest of the performers that night, held a presence on stage backed by a good majority of the crowd knowing their recent records.

Houston legends Trae and Bun B finally came on around 9:30PM. Trae and DJ Mister Rogers, as well as notable ABN crew members including Jayton, held the stage with Trae’s biggest hits “Screwed Up,” “Pop Trunk Wave,” “Comin Round that Corner.” Consistent with most of his performances in the last few years, Trae ended his set by getting into the middle of the crowd and singing Houston anthem “Swang” acapella, but not before plugging his Relief Gang organization. Bun was up next and lit up the crowd with his established UGK and solo records, like “Get Throwed,” “Draped Up,” and “International Player’s Anthem.” Bun also brought on another Houston veteran, and original member of the Screwed Up Clique, the freestyle king ESG, who performed a hit originally featuring Big Moe “Mann!” ESG impressed the crowd and lived up to his nickname by freestyling about the Spotify show and what he saw around the venue. Bun also brought on local rappers Bud E Roe and Cal Wayne.

Up next was Tory Lanez, another artist who has been hitting mainstream numbers over the last few years, most recently finishing up the “Nobody Safe” tour with A$AP Ferg, Future, and Migos. The Canadian native opened with one of his biggest hits, “Litty,” and eventually performed a majority of his set deep in the crowd, standing and walking on the hands of audience members.

TORY LANEZ

To the anticipation of the crowd, Gucci Mane came on, surprisingly earlier than expected. Gucci closed out the evening with a variety of his timeless features, including Drake’s “Both,” 2 Chainz “Good Drank,” and Migos “I Get the Bag,” as well as his well-established hits “Bricks,” “Freaky Gurl,” and “Lemonade.” Moving from end to end on the stage, Gucci’s nonchalant stance and solid delivery of each track, almost yelling into the microphone, is something that should be on every hip hop fan’s bucket list. The Atlanta legend ended with “Wasted” and “I’m Back Bitch” that were both sung word-for-word by the mostly Houstonian crowd.

Coverage & Photography by Marshall Heins II

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