Live Review: Kwame, Arno Faraji, Latifa Tee

Young fans crowded into Oxford Art Factory early in the evening, dancing to a smattering of recent R&B hits mixed together by DJ and FBI Radio presenter, Latifa Tee. The night started slowly but warmed up at a great pace as she coaxed people to dance with upbeat poppy songs combined with more soulful tunes.

Arno Faraji took to the stage with Tee’s tunes still playing, eager to please a somewhat expectant crowd. The ones and twos began and he bounced straight into a track. It’s clear why he won triple j’s Unearthed High back in 2017 because this young rapper knows how to woo a crowd.

He and his producer stirred the audience to move and join in on songs like Things Change. The track featured a hook that everyone couldn’t help but contribute to: “All things change, all things change/All things, all things change.” Faraji had an electricity to his performance, leaving everything out on the stage, and forcing sweat from the swinging revellers.

Next came another short DJ set from Latifa Tee who ensured the lively atmosphere didn’t lull before she ushered in the man himself.

Sydney city local (you can tell it through his vocals), Kwame took to the stage for his headline tour in support of single CLOUDS, which saw him playing tracks from his second EP, Endless Conversations, several collaborative singles, as well as, his older music.

He started with a bang, trumpeting the lyrics to his catchy joint, NO TIME, which he delivered with a frenzied excitement. The crowd spat the words of the hook back: “I ain't gon' waste my time, I think about you all the time/But you don't hit my line, and cupid gave me a sign…”

While he has a skilful flow and an ability to move a crowd, the attribute that stood out about this young performer was his humility. His musicianship will only develop from here - and whatever happens, this scribe reckons he’ll stay humble.