This show’s playbill reads like a list of Rap’s Most Wanted instead of a lineup. Two of the most controversial artists in music- Tyler, the Creator and A$AP Rocky- are the co-headliners on the aptly named Rocky +Tyler tour, which makes its stop in the Bay Area on November 15th. Both artists are promoting their respective solo efforts released earlier this year, and in the midst of plenty of scandal for each.
A$AP is a known boundary pusher, with odes to psychedelic drugs and uncalled-for slams on Rita Ora keeping him in the news. The bad press can’t squelch his undeniable presence and creativity, best represented on “Multiply” and the aforementioned drug-love track “L$D”. His tourmate Tyler is no stranger to bad press as well: Just last month, the UK banned the young rapper’s entrance into the entire country due to older, highly misogynistic lyrics from his days with Odd Future. Tyler has been outspoken about the banning, claiming he would never perform those songs as a more mature artist. Regardless of his newfound maturity, Tyler has been known to illicit loud, raucous responses from his fans (including inciting a riot once in Austin) and this show will be no exception.
The Tyler+Rocky will be supported by Danny Brown, a rap vet with his own history of shocking folks with onstage antics and salacious lyrics. Also joining the tour is breakout star Vince Staples, whos critically acclaimed album Summertime ’06 is an exploration of childhood, the loss of innocence, and his unique perspective on growing up in Long Beach, California. Like a rapping Frank Ocean, Staples’ fearless examination of the complex emotions that define growing up have made him beloved by hip-hop heads and critics alike. With four rappers all holding impressive catalogues and genre-bending styles in their own rights, this show will be eclectic, fascinating, and definitely wild.
TYLER+ROCKY TOUR
A$AP Rocky, Tyler, the Creator, Vince Staples, Danny Brown
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
November 15, 2015
Tickets $49.50
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