Live Review: Goldlink, Swell

From bubbling internet popularity to Grammy nominations, Goldlink's ascension into the ranks of hip hop's hottest acts feels like a natural progression. Possessing an undeniably unique sound that weaves textures of hip hop, dance and soul together, the DMV rapper has forged a new lane for himself in the musical landscape. Almost a year to the day since the release of his 2017 breakout album At What Cost, the 24-year-old stopped by Villa Nightclub on Thursday for a sold-out night of rhythmic prowess.

After support act Swell whet the crowd's appetite with a high-energy set, Goldlink emerged from the darkness and took the stage to a cacophony of whoops and whistles. Backed by visuals from the 1998 Hype Williams film Belly, the rapper jumped into a hyped rendition of the Ciscero-assisted Fall In Love. It was immediately clear that Goldlink's energy is as versatile as his songs indicate as he bounced, ran and skipped around the stage in his black fisherman beanie and neon orange skivvy.

Performing with a dexterity that mimicked the undulating flow schemes heard in his album cuts, he eased into a number of tracks from his latest release such as Roll Call, Summatime and Kokamoe Freestyle - the latter sending the crowd into a full-fledged bouncing frenzy. The set only gathered steam from there with Goldlink throwing on Travis Scott's Goosebumps and partying to it with audience members, before letting the crowd fully erupt to standout tracks We Will Never Die and Herside Story.

The 60-minute set was the perfect blend of upbeat, winding flow and melodic, soulful harmonies capped with not one but two performances of his biggest hit to date, the Brent Faiyaz-featured Crew, to finish off the night's proceedings. Fans were even privy to unreleased material in the form of a hard-hitting new track that is set to be a welcome addition to Goldlink's official catalogue.

Despite the acclaim and industry nods that Goldlink has accumulated in his career thus far, there still is a general sense of underappreciation for the rapper, with his name only recently eclipsing the circles of his diehards. If this says anything, it's that he is on the cusp of a monumental influx of widespread recognition. Shows like this will only serve his cause.