Last night, Brooklyn–based rapper Theophilus London tore it up at Webster Hall at a sold out show filmed as part of MTV’s “Live in NYC” performance series. London took the stage pushing hard swag: dressed in all black, shiny silver accessories and dark sunglasses, he captivated the crowd with his moves and flow. Happy to be in his hometown on his “day off,” this show was clearly all about the fans. Playing his unique blend of soul-influenced electrofunk and re-imagined 90′s R&B, London bounced around excitedly alongside the talented Devonte Hynes on guitar and badass girl DJ Mia Moretti. Fans were pulled onstage to dance and freestyle during several songs, and London threw fistfuls of fake cash into the audience during ‘Girls Girls $.’ Not even a wardrobe malfunction held him back—after his Gucci pants ripped down the backside and he was pulled backstage by a member of his team, London proudly returned with a bottle of champagne which he passed out to members of the crowd. The thumping bass in songs like ‘Why Even Try?,’ reminiscent of beats by Prince and Cameo, made it impossible not to dance. But the largest gesture to the fans came at the end, with the Whitney Houston-sampling song ‘Always Love You.’ Even after leaving the stage, London managed to still have everybody in the room breaking it down.

Photography Dana Veraldi

KEYWORDS: Music, Rap, theophilus