Danny Brown runs on stage dressed as a steampunk supervillain in a metallic high-collar overcoat, an eye-strikingly large belt and superspy-style sunglasses that cover half of his face. He’s radiant, illuminated further by colourful stage lighting, and looks genuinely happy to be performing as he zigzags around. “I’m 40 and don’t drink or smoke no more – I’m sober,” the US rapper gleefully explains to his London audience after an energetic performance of his 2013-release track 25 Bucks.
2023 was a big year for Brown, with Scaring the Hoes, an album made with Jpegmafia released in March, then his sixth solo album Quaranta in November. He doesn’t shy from the earnestness of the latter – where he details his addiction and depression – and Ain’t My Concern and Dark Sword Angel are well received, but it’s Jpegmafia collabs Scaring the Hoes and God Loves You that get bodies moving. And while he may no longer be doing the activities of the title, Smokin’ & Drinkin’ even has punters nestled at the back of the venue raising their hands in the air; groups of friends cheerfully look each other in the eye as they recite the lyrics word for word, and Brown makes heart symbols with his hands. Mid-set he performs fan-favourite classics such as Really Doe, from his 2016 album Atrocity Exhibition, which he executes with candour and sharpness, pulling emotive facial expressions while rapping the chorus hook “they say I got the city on fire”.
