NXNE 2024 – NEWBY
@ THE SMITH HOUSE BAR, TORONTO
JUNE 12, 2024
Newby kicked things off on Wednesday night at The Smith House Bar to start NXNE. The upbeat rapper performed some of his top songs like “Baked” and “555”. His energy was fun and infectious, delivering lyrics laced with innuendos and funk to a sparse, but eager crowd. Newby’s sound reminds me of a brighter time in rap, around 2017 when Lil Yachty and Ugly God were taking over everyone’s social media feed. However, Newby’s music is more refined, and gives audiences a taste of his various influences from the ‘80s and ‘90s. His set was filled with personality, often opting to joke with audience members and describe his quarrels with romance. The independent rapper released a new EP titled Sticky & Sweet last month, an enjoyable listen in the modern pop-rap genre.
(Photography by Arya Gunde)