Everyone was a part of the mosh pit at the Toronto stop of $NOT’s “Get Busy or Die” tour. TheAmerican rapper, alongside Canada’s own Night Lovell, made serious waves at Danforth Music Hall in the city’s east end on Monday night (June 12, 2023).
Despite poor weather conditions, a line of fans wrapped around the block hours before the doors were set to open. It was clear fans were anticipating the night and a chance to let loose to songs from some of their favourite rappers.
The opening performance came from Wisconsin artist DC the Don. This was his first show in Toronto and the crowd immediately picked up on the intensity and energy he careened onto the stage with. Striking an imposing, leather clad silhouette, DC performed old favourites and new tracks off his latest release; an album titled FUNERAL. A highlight of the night was the fans vibing to his song “12AM” as he surfed through the crowd.
We had a chance to speak with DC after his performance, he mentioned loving the energy of the crowd and fans in Toronto, and he’s hoping to make it back to the city soon!
Continuing to only increase the hype for the night, the next artist was Pennsylvania’s Eem Triplin. His smooth vocals, sitting on top of the easy going, high tempo beats, many of which were produced by the artist himself, were a hit with the fans. Eem has been a frequent collaborator of $NOT’s, first producing for him in 2020. He also performed “Let You Know”, a song which is a collaboration between himself and $NOT.
As the smoke and sweat in the venue intensified, there was only one man for the job of containing the chaotic audience below him before the final act. Night Lovell is a master of his craft, he knows it, and made sure we all did too that night. A veteran of the Soundcloud era and underground rap legend, the Ottawa native delivered for the show on his home soil. Keeping things casual in jeans and a t-shirt, he opened with the classic “Concept Nothing” off his iconic 2014 album Concept Vague. Lovell was active throughout his fast-paced set. He made sure to keep both old and new fans satisfied with a mix of tracks from his 2019 album Goodnight Lovell as well as Soundcloud favourite “Dark Light.”
The energy from the crowd was at an all time high when the headliner, $NOT finally took the stage at 10pm. Despite the heat from the crowd, everyone’s favourite hoodie wearing rapper doubled down on the layers, coming out with a parka on top of his signature cinched hood. $NOT, who catapulted to underground rap stardom with his 2018 song “GOSHA”, is the leader on this tour which highlights his 2022 album Ethereal as well as new single “Easter Pink”. His fanbase and the mood of his set brought a nostalgia of the Soundcloud heyday with its alternative style and dedication to creating the biggest mosh pit possible. $NOT delivered an excellent performance with a highlight of the night being a rendition of his hit “Doja”.
On a stormy Monday night in Toronto, there was really only one place to be, and that was the “Get Busy or Die” Tour!
