ICYMI: BLK ODYSSY [@BLKODYSSY] LEFT HIS MARK ON LONDON WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR

Earlier this summer, BLK ODYSSY dropped a very serious contender for album of the year so it came as no surprise that the DIAMONDS & FREAKS tour was hands down one of the best performances of the year. Lucky for you, BLK ODYSSY also released a live album recently so you’ll be able to get a taste of what the night to remember was like.

Here’s our Top 10 Moments from one of the best shows we saw all year:

discovering a new artist in harry edohoukwa

Harry Edohoukwa set the vibes right with crashing drums and funk fused melodies, proving a perfect opener for BLK ODYSSY, who’s known for marrying rock and funk. His astounding, melodious vocals combined with the rugged instrumentation demonstrated his star quality – definitely an artist worthy of being on your radar.

getting to see eimaral sol, the artist behind the female vocals on various blk odyssy records

Eimaral Sol has provided a plethora of backing vocals across BLK ODYSSY’s records, so seeing her come into her own on stage was truly divine. Her vocals are baby-soft as she sang enchanting melodies while her band created the perfect backdrop to her voice, notably her sax player’s solos made the performance all the more spellbinding.

blk odyssy’s magical entrance to ‘dopamine and hennessy’

Enthralling cymbals welcomed BLK ODYSSY to the stage as he began to spit the lyrics of ‘DOPAMINE & HENNESSY’ in a poetic cadence that boasted much conviction. The beat of the drums would follow his every word as the audience eyes lit up at his magnetic stage presence.

the vocal chemistry on ‘odee’

The band played the alluring rhythm of ‘ODEE’, helping BLK ODYSSY captivate the audience with slow, smooth grooves. Eimaral Sol blessed us with her presence again, singing those iconic, sultry adlibs “I love it when you talkin’ cocky” before the pair began to harmonise.

the funk-fuelled flair on ‘adam & eve

BLK ODYSSY’s stage presence on this deep cut was lively yet slick as his hands danced during ‘ADAM & EVE’, that Texas twang proving heavy while he laid down the lyrics. The back and fourth between him and the woman on the track helped to convey the story he was telling.

the passion on ‘diamonds and freaks’

With the crowd wrapped around his fingers, BLK ODYSSY’s stage presence oozed confidence as he proceeded throughout concert, reaching its peak on the title track of the album ‘DIAMONDS AND FREAKS’. Eimaral Sol’s hushed tones combined with his slick vocals provided a satisfiying and somewhat eerie harmony.

hushed tones on ‘you gotta man’

As BLK ODYSSY rocks the mic back and fourth, his voice on ‘YOU GOTTA MAN’ is dainty and soft in comparison to the confident demeanour he’s held up thus far. Eimaral Sol fills in for KIRBY for the female perspective on this track that explores the desire for infidelity when you’re both with someone else, her ethereal vocals make for the perfect stand-in.

fan favourite: ‘funkentology’

Another throwback off of BLK VINTAGE, ‘FUNKENTOLOGY’ had the audience harmonising with each other as they sang the chorus. BLK ODYSSY proved his vocal range as he sang in a higher register with ease, still just as rich and melodious as his slick, deeper tones. The instrumentation remains spellbindingly smooth, and hits the right spot as the bass leads up to the chorus.

blk odyssy takes us on a (ghost) ride 

‘GHOST RIDE’ was ushered into the room slowly but surely as Eimaral Sol and BLK ODYSSY repeated the catchy lyrics “Ghost ride the whip with the doors right open” back and fourth as their vocals brushed the cymbals before the funky instrumentation took to the forefront. BLK ODYSSY pointed the mic at the crowd for the chorus as they sang every word.

alejandro’s guitar solos

Guitarist Alejandro Rios walked down the steps of the stage in Hoxton Hall and gave us these epic rockstar guitar solos – creating an electric atmosphere as he really goes for it on songs like ‘FUNKENTOLOGY’ and ‘GHOST RIDE’. He sat on the side of the stage and worked his magic effortlessly.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Kat Friar

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