REVIEW: LEXA GATES @ BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL 11/21
Review by Emiliano Valencia-Donohue
Lexa Gates is an upcoming rapper from Queens, New York, who recently released her major-label debut album, “Elite Vessel.” Although she has been releasing music on SoundCloud since 2019 and on Spotify since 2020 with her debut album “Order of Events,” Gates has reached new heights with her recent release. Her sound brings a fresh take to the underground world of rap, creating a unique atmosphere through her laid-back flows and soulfully sampled songs.
The first song I heard from Gates was “Rotten to the Core,” and immediately, there was a sense of authenticity in her raps that drew me in. Rather than tailoring her raps to what she thinks her audience wants to hear, she is inviting listeners into her own world, hoping to connect with the audience on a personal level. Additionally, the conviction of her delivery cuts through her otherwise nonchalant style. You almost feel scared to question her about anything that she is rapping about. Her honesty in her music stands out, and it was this honesty that stuck with me as I listened through the rest of her discography.
What’s more, her beat selection perfectly matches her matter-of-fact flow. Imagine Isaiah Rashad or Westside Gunn drenching their beats in boozy, sweet molasses. You can’t help but nod your head to the bpm of each beat.
Fortunately, the whole ambiance she creates in her music translates directly into the concert venue, which, for me, was Brighton Music Hall–a cozy, moody venue perfect for getting lost in Gates’ music.
Her set started with the first song off “Universe Wrapped in Flesh”, “Selfish.” From the jump, I knew exactly what kind of concert this would be like. Once you found your spot in the mosh pit, that’s where you were going to stay for the entire show. The concert was a refreshing departure from what I had come to expect from rap performances, where everyone is throwing elbows at each other, and in the blink of an eye, you end up surrounded by sweaty, shirtless dudes. The audience created an atmosphere where everyone enjoyed the music within their own personal space, and this vibe was most certainly cultivated by Gates’ stage presence, where she gently swayed her hips to each and every one of her songs.
From there, she went on to perform a majority of the songs from “Elite Vessel,” including “Lately, Nothing,” “Stupid,” and “Sweet.. Time.” For each song, there was a recurring theme–the crowd always knew at least a part of each song, and they would let you know it. Gates’ herself seemed impressed and a little surprised.
She then went on to perform two of my favorite songs from “Elite Vessel:” “Stacy’s Chips” and “I Just Can’t Be Alone.” Although she used a backing track for about half of her set, I particularly enjoyed the songs where it was only her and the instrumental. This way, her performance as a whole presented itself in a much more genuine light, something I appreciate the most about Gates’ music.
She ended her performance with what is, in my opinion, her best song: “Dirt.” In what is her most vulnerable and emotionally resonant song, Gates conveys the universal experience of exhaustion paired with the necessary resolve to keep moving forward. She reflects on past pain and how she has been able to grow from overcoming her hardships. What used to break her down now holds no power. “Dirt” is the ultimate release of tension on her album, and wow, does it feel freeing. Of course, in typical Gates style, she weaves in a reminder that she is still thriving and doing better than ever.
For a rapper going on their first tour, this was a great experience overall, and one I am happy to have been able to be a part of. Although her stage presence at times felt a bit monotonous, it’s clear that this is something she can easily work on. With more experience, I am confident she will find her rhythm on stage.
And to top it off, she ended her performance in the best possible way, yelling, “BOSTON, YOU GUYS ARE NUMBER ONE!”