Nestled in the bustling neighborhood of Capitol Hill is an intimate concert venue known for its rites of passage in the Seattle music scene: Neumos. The headliner at Neumos on Friday night, rapper MadeinTYO, released his debut album, Sincerely, Tokyo, in October 2018, after a couple mixtapes and EPs that made a name for him in the industry. His 2016 breakout single, “Uber Everywhere,” became an anthem of sorts in pop culture and went on to be certified platinum. With MadeinTYO already on the brim of the inner circle of hip hop, it was a no brainer to go cover this show.

Initiating the rather eventful night was the southern rapper S. Fresh, a product of Dallas, TX and punchline machine. Although his set was a mere 20 minutes, he utilized it well. The show was all ages, so it was packed with young, white, high school kids that just wanted to rage. He played his most bass-heavy songs, causing everyone to aggressively jump along to his grimy bars. I’d describe Fresh’s swag as similar to 2 Chainz: both have a part of the rap game for some time and set-up their verses with quotable, simple lines.

Building off the love he received from the crowd, Fresh used all social media mediums possible while performing to engage and build hype around his name. At one point, he took a break in the show to capture the moment on his personal Instagram story. Even after his duties as the opener, Fresh joined the audience to take some flicks with the people to reciprocate the love.

12 Honcho was the succeeding artist to take the main stage, bringing a new vibe to space. Once a street pharmacist, the recent Def Jam signee carried his weight. His single, “Depressed,” was a crowd pleaser that has all the qualities to be a chart-topper. Revealing an uncanny resemblance to the emo-rap fad of this time, his sound was not far off from the teenage sensation Juice WRLD. Ending his set by running the single back-to-back, Honcho swayed along to the lush production.

Already halfway through the night, the lights dimmed and the place was filled with a dark purple hue, setting the mood for the next act. Thutmose, the Nigerian-American rhymer by way of Brooklyn, NY came out with star presence. Dripped in a neon orange bomber and sporting some Killmonger dreads, he embodied the rapper lifestyle. His catalog of music was unbeknownst to me, but the vibes were at an all-time high during his set. At this point in the night, the floor inflated with kids singing along to Thutmose’s arsenal.

Thutmose’s range, from melodic hits to reputable bars, showed his dexterous wordflow, but also reveals his Brooklyn grit and Nigerian wits. His rise to popularity is owed to his 2017 freestyle to Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble.” Taking advantage of the recognizable, sinister piano keys, the people knew some fire was coming, whether that be Lamar’s original or the rapper’s take on the song — it was the latter of the two, and the reaction was equally as positive would it have been K Dot’s.

After proving his worth to this Seattle venue, the audience was finally treated to the main attraction. To preface my subtle jab at the mediocre performance — if that — from MadeinTYO, the rapper posted on his Instagram story after the show, apologizing for the lackluster outing and the unfortunate circumstance of losing his voice the previous night. Only two songs into his set, his DJ announced that MadeinTYO was a little hoarse and was relying on the audience to help him out by singing along loudly. Understandable, but annoying. Paying customers came to experience a live performance from a dope headliner. What ensued for the next hour was a remorseful MadeinTYO stretching the floor of the stage and taking selfies with the front-row, not saying a word.

I wouldn’t say it was entirely a disaster, for the cacophony of “skkrt-skkrts” and “ooh-yuhhs” on his hits ring-off regardless, in hip hop’s current climate. Playing joints like “Skateboard P,” “Retro88,” and “I Want,” people were going dumb. The 808s shook the room aggressively, and, at a point, I contemplated the floor collapsing beneath me.

On this uncontrollable matter of absent vocal cords, MadeinTYO promised he’d “make it up” to Seattle in the near future, and, in true thespian form: the show must go on. In all honesty, I felt sympathetic for him as this stop was only the second of the 34-city Sincerely, Tokyo tour. I foresee an abundance of lozenges and chamomile tea for the rowdy rapper on this 3-month expedition if he attempts to habitually rage. His charm and appreciation of paying fans were enough for the kids. They came to have fun, dance, get hyphy in the Cap Hill hotbed of music, which MadeinTYO’s rudimentary songs provide for today’s youth.